Pomo Indian Myths and Some of their Sacred Meanings

In this volume, which was first published in 1954, some forty-odd myths collected at various Pomo settlements are given clearly and concisely by Cora Clark and Texa Bowen Williams. It includes a separate section in which the sister authors provide a partial analysis of the myths based upon the interpretations given them by the storytellers. The meanings attributed to the tales include much nature symbolism: coyote, in an abbreviated creation myth, for example, is said to represent earth; Frog Woman, water; Kingfisher, air; and the Lizard, fire. In other tales, the number four is said to represent the growth principle; arrows, heat rays; and so on. This type of symbolism has not been attributed to the Pomo in previous discussions, and is thus represented here for the first time. A fascinating addition to the literature on Pomo mythology!