Kara Theisen

Mrs. Morrell

Yokut Myth

August 23, 2012

The “Yokut” myth can be described as two different myths depending on what the reader thinks. Since the Eagle and the Crow work together to create the Earth, it could be considered a Deus Faber myth. Meaning that two creators work together to create the earth often happening by competition between each other. “But after looking across at Crow’s mud pile, Eagle was astounded to see that Crow had given himself twice as much mud while Eagle was away”. The competition between how much land each bird had created came out when Eagle had left for one night. 

This myth can also be considered as an earth diver myth since the duck is in charge of bringing up mud from the bottom of the ocean and creating the land. “An idea occurred to Eagle, which he bird talked to Crow, “If we supply fish for Duck, maybe he will bring up more mud than fish”. The trading off of fish for food for Duck and the mud for Eagle and Crow to create the land is how they all agreed to be able to work together. There was no anthropomorphism used in this myth since they birds talked in their own animal language. I have also noticed that many of the Native American myths begin with some type of flood or there is no land and only water is present.