Links >> Spooky Birds Page
Yelth:
The Raven
This site contains stories, sociobiology of ravens, and links.
Indigenous Peoples Literature: Raven Stories
Native
Online Legends
Raven and Thunderbird
Australian
Raven Myths
Interesting and worth checking out.
The
Story of the King Vulture - Tsachila Story
This explanation of the story comes from Robert Mix, the Virtual Librarian.
The story is well worth reading - follow the footnotes! The rest of this web
is also worth checking out.
"The didactic
purpose of the story seems to have been related to maintaining discipline
among the cotton spinners and weavers, who, after all, supplied all of the
clothing and a number of important magical or ritual items before the advent
of modern society. The Tsachila artisans were important as Uru Sona
(Ceremonial Women) and closely related to the shamans in that they performed
crucial ceremonial duties, as well as being responsible for making ceremonial
items.
Obedience, diligence, and discretion were three key qualities that were required
of an artisan if she were to achieve the status of Uru Sona. Both girls fail
in obedience the moment they leave the house and follow Malili (the king vulture)
to get the genipap.
The two girls are actually quite different in character. The reckless
one is eaten by the vulture, the timid one succumbs to the envy of her peers. On
her return from the magical other realm, she cannot eat with the rest of the
family, but must have her meals from the magic cooking pot and the liana. You
can imagine the effect that had on the sister-in-law (I'll teach this little
miss special boots, who, just because she was up with the Ancient Star and
can spin and weave so fancy, thinks she is too good to eat with the rest of
us!) Catalina Calazacón, the narrator, was an Uru Sona."
One is
For Sorrow, Two is For Joy
A single page wrap-up of bird lore that touches on European, Siberian, Celtic,
Japanese, and other ethnic birdlore.
Regional
Folklore
More than just birds. Scroll down through the titles to look for bird stories
or go off in your own direction!