Coyote and Turtle, Mescalero Apache Text :: :: University of Virginia Library

Coyote and Turtle, Mescalero Apache Text

excerpted from Chiricahua Apache Texts, with Ethnological Notes

4. Coyote and Turtle as told by Charles Smith

Ethnological Notes Morris Opler

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Ethnological Notes Morris Opler

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Ethnological Note 1
To throw food about or to handle it carelessly is thought very dangerous and unlucky. Even bones are not thrown around but are placed in a neat pile and disposed of at once. To do otherwise is to invite the loss of hunting skill and shortage of food.

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Ethnological Note 2
This refers to a previous episode wherein Beetle made believe he was receiving a message concerning Coyote from people beneath the earth and thus out-witted and escaped from Coyote. See Chiricahua Apache Text 15: "Coyote and Beetle".

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Ethnological Note 3
Frog is not referring to an actual road over to the island. As Coyote's answer shows, he is suggesting that Coyote swim across.

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Ethnological Note 4
This is one of the rare instances where Coyote comes off with honor in a food exchange story.