MYTHS AND TALES FROM THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE

These myths and tales are the free translations of texts recorded inthe dialect of the White Mountain Apache. The texts themselves withword for word translations follow as Part IV of the volume. They wererecorded, with one exception, during the winter of 1910 as a part of thestudies made in the Southwest under the yearly grant of Mr. Archer M.Huntington. The creation myth, secured from Noze, differs in importantincidents from the versions given above from the San Carlos as well asfrom versions secured from other White Mountain Apache. It shouldnot be assumed that these differences are tribal, it is more probable thatthey are individual, since forms from the San Carlos and Navajo are closelysimilar to each other.

The greater number of the remaining narratives were secured from thefather of Frank Crockett, the interpreter employed. Several of these areceremonial and religious in their character and probably would not havebeen given except for the son's influence. Two of these were later securedfrom San Carlos informants in more extended form but highly corroborativein their general agreement.

The main purpose in recording these narratives was to secure sufficientand varied connected texts in the dialect of the White Mountain Apache.As a collection of mythology and folklore it is probably far from complete.It is assumed, however, to be fairly representative.