Native American Legends
Legend of the Maid of the Mist
An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown
Long ago, the peaceful tribe of the Ongiaras lived beside the Niagara
River. For an unknown reason, Indians were dying, and it was believed
that the tribe must appease the Thunder God Hinum, who lived with
his two sons in a cave behind the Falls.
A first, the Indians sent canoes laden with fruit, flowers and
game over the Falls, but the dying continued. The Indians then began
to sacrifice the most beautiful maiden of the tribe, who was selected
once a year during a ceremonial feast. One year, Lelawala, daughter
of Chief Eagle Eye was chosen.
On the appointed day, Lelawala appeared on the river bank above
the Falls, wearing a white doeskin robe with a wreath of woodland
flowers in her hair. She stepped into a white birch bark canoe and
plunged over the Falls to her death. Her father, heartbroken, leaped
into his canoe and followed her.
Hinum's two sons caught Lelawala in their arms, and each desired
her. She promised to accept the one who told her what evil was killing
her people. The younger brother told her of a giant water snake
that lay at the bottom of the river. Once a year, the monster snake
grew hungry, and at night entered the village and poisoned the water.
The snake then devoured the dead.
On spirit, Lelawala told her people to destroy the serpent. Indian
braves mortally wounded the snake on his next yearly visit to the
village. Returning to his lair on the river, the snake caught his
head on one side of the river and his tail on the other, forming
a semi-circle and the brink of the Horseshoe Falls. Lelawala returned
to the cave of the God Hinum, where she reigns as the Maid of the
Mist.
Native American Legends
Back to Top
Other Native American Legends
|
Native American Legends A-B