100 INDIANS OF THE PLAINS. 



Plains function as explanations of origin and trans- 

 formation, for there are tales in which supernatural 

 beings appear in the form of well-known animals and 

 assist or grant favors to human beings. The buffalo 

 is a favorite character and is seldom encountered in 

 the mythology from other areas. The bear, beaver, 

 elk, eagle, owl, and snake are frequently referred to but 

 also occur in the myths of Woodland and other tribes. 

 Of imaginary creatures the most conspicuous are the 

 water monster and the thunder bird. The former is 

 usually an immense horned serpent who keeps under 

 w T ater and who fears the thunder. The thunder bird 

 is an eagle-like being who causes thunder. 



Migration legends and those accounting for the 

 origins and forms of tribal beliefs and institutions make 

 up a large portion of the mythology for the respective 

 tribes and must be carefully considered in formulating 

 a concept of the religion and philosophy of each. 



Religious Concepts. 



To most of us the mention of religion brings to mind 

 notions of God, a supreme over-ruling and decidedly 

 personal being. Nothing just like this is found among 

 the Indians. Yet, they seem to have formulated rather 

 complex and abstract notions of a controlling power or 

 series of powers pervading the universe. Thus, the 

 Dakota use a term wakan tonka which seems to mean, 

 the greatest sacred ones. The term has often been 

 rendered as the great mystery but that is not quite 



