Osage Legends


 

 

Figures Frequently Featured in Osage Legends

Wakonda: The Supreme Being in Osage cosmology. Wakonda is often depicted as a benevolent creator who watches over the Osage people.

The White Buffalo Calf Woman: A sacred figure who is said to have brought the sacred pipe to the Osage people. The White Buffalo Calf Woman is often depicted as a beautiful young woman who is accompanied by a herd of white buffalo.

The Four Winds are often seen as guardians of the Osage people. Each wind is associated with a different direction and a different color.

The Thunderers are a group of powerful beings who are said to control the weather. The Thunderers are often depicted as a group of men who ride on horseback and carry lightning bolts.

The Water Spirits are a group of powerful beings who are said to live in the water. The Water Spirits are often depicted as beautiful women who lure men to their deaths.

The Little People are a group of small, mischievous beings who are said to live in the woods. The Little People are often depicted as being very clever and they are sometimes said to be able to shapeshift.

The Turtle is a sacred animal in Osage culture. The Turtle is often seen as a symbol of wisdom and strength.

The Bear is a powerful animal in Osage culture. The Bear is often seen as a symbol of strength and power.

The Eagle is a powerful bird in Osage culture. The Eagle is often seen as a symbol of strength and courage.

The Sun is a sacred object in Osage culture. The Sun is often seen as a symbol of life and power.

The Moon is a sacred object in Osage culture. The Moon is often seen as a symbol of mystery and magic.

Some traditional Osage Legends:

  • The Creation Story
  • The Story of Wakonda
  • The Story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman
  • The Story of the Four Winds
  • The Story of the Thunderers
  • The Story of the Water Spirits
  • The Story of the Great Flood
  • The Story of the Lost Tribe
  • The Story of the Talking Rocks
  • The Story of the Magic Water
  • The Story of the Golden Eagle
  • The Story of the White Buffalo
  • The Sun Dance
  • The Ghost Dance

Osage Indians
Famous Osage

 

Article Index:

Ancestors of the People

There are people who come from under the water. They lived in the water weeds that hang down, all green, into the water. They have leaves upon their stems. Now the water people lived in shells. The shells were their houses and kept the water out.

 

There were other animals who lived under the earth. Cougar lived under the earth, and bear, and buffalo. These creatures came up out of the ground. Then the shell people came up to the earth also; and the sky people came down. So all these three peoples lived together. They are the fathers of the people who live on the earth today.