THE NOMADIC PEOPLES. 175 



palace of shell. According to the Navajo, Yinaiyesgani 

 lives with his brother near the mouth of the San Juan 

 River. 



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 of both 

 amusement and instruction. 



