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180 INDIANS OF THE SOUTHWEST. 
Later, a man who was considered worthless because 
he gambled away all his property, went down a river 
in a hollow log, conducted by the gods. He landed at a 
favorable place and prepared a farm for which his pet 
turkey furnished the seed. He found his way to the 
home of a man who had all game animals domesticated. 
He married this man’s daughter who received these 
animals as her marriage portion. Thus was food 
supplied for mankind. 
According to the myths, the various ceremonies of 
the Navajo were taught to some Indian who by acci- 
dent or at the direction of the gods went to a ruin or ~ 
other dwelling place of the supernatural beings and 
learned there the songs, prayers, and rites. 
A long myth explains the origin of the Navajo 
people and their clans. The nucleus was created by 
Esdzanadlehi in her western home. As they journeyed 
eastward they met various parties who joined them 
and who were given names according to the attendant 
circumstances of their meeting. Other myths explain 
the origin of fire, and of night and day. ‘There are 
many animal tales, a large number of them being 
associated with coyote who is now represented as being 
exceedingly keen of wit and again as very stupid. 
These myths and stories told to considerable companies 
during the evenings of winter are sources both of 
amusement and of instruction. 
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