Native Languages of the Americas: Mandan Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Mandan folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our Native American myths section
by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same
legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to
each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Mandan tribe, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the
Hidatsa and Sioux are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Mandan legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
(also known as Numank Maxana, Numakmaxena, or Numak-mahana in Mandan, or
Only Man or One Man in English):
Mythical first human and culture hero of the Mandan tribe. He worked together with
Coyote to shape the earth and teach the people how to live.
(also known as Ki-numakshi in Mandan and First Coyote, First Creator, He Becomes Chief,
or Elder Brother in English): Unlike most Siouan tribes, the Mandans did not consider Coyote
as a buffoon or trickster character, but as a powerful creator god. So although there are still
a few humorous Mandan coyote stories to be told, the majority of them are considered sacred
just as the stories about Lone Man are.