A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

A cave household teaches the brothers his routine: he appears in successive directions before descending to drink. His immense reach and thirst briefly stun them. He notices their reflections and exchanges challenges. Warned by Wind, they raise and lower a rainbow to evade his lightning. The Sun's bolt first weakens him, and successive arrows from the elder brother bring him down. The Sun has identified Yeitso as another son, but still assists his brothers against him.

His armour breaks into scattered pieces, his head is carried away, and blood flows down the valley. Wind warns that reaching either the eye-killing beings or Pursuing Bear would restore the giant. The elder stops both flows, connecting dark rock and cliffs with the arrested blood. The brothers bring home trophies that convince their initially doubtful mothers. The narrative retains both kinship and conflict, and its landscape explanation is not a claim of a geologically observed giant.

Enormous armoured bodyThrows lightningBlood can restore him under specified conditions
01

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.

02

Records & interpretation

Origin Legend paragraphs 319-329; complete confrontation and return. 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 paragraphs 319-329; complete confrontation and return.

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 paragraphs 319-329; complete confrontation and return.Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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