Tse-na-hale

Overview

The male captures the hero on its fourth swoop and drops him onto the nest ledge. A protective feather saves him, and blood carried from an earlier foe makes him seem dead. The young reveal each parent's expected perch. The father returns with thunderous rain and the mother with quieter rain, carrying a woman. In this version male and female take men and women respectively. The hero kills both at their landing places.

The young ask whether they too must die. Instead, the elder becomes an eagle associated with useful feathers and bones; the younger becomes an owl whose messages are not always reliable. Bat Woman later rescues the stranded hero, and feathers from the adults become smaller birds. Matthews's Greek comparison harpies is not adopted as their identity. Torlino's variant supplies additional nestling appearance and moves their transformation from the ledge to below the cliff.

Origins & earliest records

Matthews published Navaho Legends in 1897. His introduction identifies Hatali Nez as the principal Origin Legend witness, Torlino as Version A and Jake the silversmith as Version B; supplementary matter is distinguished in notes. He used readable rather than strictly literal English and reports winter storytelling restrictions. This published narrative is not a complete ceremonial transcription or every Diné version.

Records & interpretation

Origin Legend paragraph 201 and paragraphs 335-340; notes 135-138 and 141. Complete selected episode, variant notes where cited, and the introduction on versions and translation read. No ritual formulas or practical ceremonial directions reproduced.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Navaho Legends: Origin Legend

   Washington Matthews, collector and translator; principal narrative from Hatali Nez · 1897

   Origin Legend paragraph 201 and paragraphs 335-340; notes 135-138 and 141.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary textMatthews 1897: Origin Legend paragraph 201 and paragraphs 335-340; notes 135-138 and 141.Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

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