Navajo
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Yeitso
Yeitso was born from a woman and a stone in Navajo myth. He was a scaly giant that lived by a lake. His name means “great genius” or “great god.” He could hurl lightning bolts. He was killed by Nayenezgani and Thobadzistshini with the help of Tsohanoai and they took his scalp. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Matthews, Washington. Navaho Legends. United States, American Folk-Lore Society, 1897.
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Teelget
Teelget was a quadruped with antlers on his head. He was predatory and round shaped with few features. The hero Nayenezgani killed it by using a gopher to burrow into its chest and he shot its heart with an arrow made of chain lightning. Teelget got angry and ripped apart his own body trying to get to Nayenezgani. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Skinwalker/Yeenaaldlooshii
The Skinwalker comes from Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo myth. Though they are known for taking the form of coyotes, they can also take other animal forms. Some believed the Anasazi were these shapeshifters and the word Anasazi either means “ancient enemies” or “ancient ones.” Skinwalkers were inherently viewed as evil, but in more recent times they are not always seen that way. They wear the skin of wolves or coyotes to transform. Citations: Brown, Nathan Robert. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Werewolves. United Kingdom, DK Publishing, 2009. Steiger, Brad. The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings. United Kingdom, Visible Ink Press, 2011.
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Chindi
The Chindi is a form of ghost from Navajo myth. They are believed to be all the wickedness of a person leaving their body after death. They cause mischief and sickness for any of their living relatives. If proper rituals are performed the Chindi will blow away in the wind and fade into the night sky. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
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Binaye Ahani
Binaye Ahani was one of the Anaye of Navajo myth, whose name means “Ones who slays with their eyes.” It resembled a pair of limbless twins conjoined at the torso. It was able to fire lightning bolts from its empty eye sockets. It was killed by Nayenezgani who used salt to blind them. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Matthews, Washington. Navaho Legends. United States, American Folk-Lore Society, 1897.
