University of Virginia Library

WITH the exception of a version of the Origin Myth recently contributed by Mr. Mooney,[1] the myths of the Jicarilla Apaches have not been recorded. The Jicarillas, or "Basket-makers", are not so well known as the Mescalero and White Mountain Apaches, as they have lived somewhat apart from the more interesting Pueblo region to the southward. They formerly lived in the rough country near Taos, and several legends refer to Taos Mountain. From 1893 to 1895 two sub-chiefs, Largo and Pesata, with about 200 followers, left the reservation, and roamed over their "native hills", stealing stock, and causing some alarm among the settlers. They are pagan Indians, about 840 in number, who now exist upon a small reservation in northern New Mexico upon the Atlantic-Pacific Divide. Their land adjoins that of the Utes of southwestern Colorado, though linguistic barriers probably restrict intercourse between the tribes, who have not been upon friendly terms in the past, if we may believe the Jicarillas or their agents, one of whom wrote in 1894: "They were greatly displeased last fall when, without their consent or even knowledge, their children, whom they had sent to Santa Fe, were removed to the Fort Lewis School, Colorado. Their objection arose from the fact that, in going to visit their children at the latter school, they would be obliged to pass over the reservation of their old enemies, the Utes." Friendly relations exist between the Jicarillas and the Indians of the Rio Grande Pueblos, but with them, as with the Utes, the Apaches can converse in the Spanish language only. The Jicarilla myths and legends seem to have been most affected by the contact with the Navahoes ; their languages are mutually intelligible, and frequent visits are interchanged.

The following myths were related by Laforia, a very old woman, whose grandson Gunsi interpreted them to me. The Origin Myth differs from that told to Mr. Mooney by "Edward," and also from the version furnished me by Juan Quintana, a middle-aged Apache, who admitted that he did not know the legends as his father had known them.