The Tohono O'odham ideas about the Apache are most likely a form of cultural "spillover" from the Diné (Navajo) belief system. It sounds like their Yenaldlooshii, a person who has the ability to alter their physical form at will, most often to that of an animal. They are also able to appear as another person and can takeover another's body. These beings are considered to be extremely dangerous and touching one is very disturbing (contaminating) to your spirit, thus requiring special songs and ceremonies to restore your balance.
It is very common for different Nations to adopt and incorporate elements of each others beliefs, customs and cosmologies into their own cultures. This is particularly true in the Southwest, where many Nations live almost on top of each other. The Diné are the largest Nation in the region and their culture is very dominant, so it's very common to find evidence of their influence amongst the Zuñi, Pueblo, Ute, Yavipai, Apache, etc. Not "crazy", just another culture's way of looking at their World... --ryan Sent from my iPod Touch On Nov 7, 2008, at 9:42, Matt Johnston <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > -- > Matt Johnston - 07515352971 > > On 7 Nov 2008, at 14:25, Chris Gehlker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> I've met a man for Northern Ireland who was completely convinced that >> Catholics were genetically different from and inferior to >> Protestants. >> I've met a member of the Tohono O’odham who was absolutely convin >> ced >> that Apaches were demons who could assume human, owl or coyote form >> at >> will > > In the Northern Irelamd case, there is a generic difference due to the > small population being subdivided along politco-religious reasons. > > The Tohono are crazy though. Apache can't become owls. > _______________________________________________ > OSX-Nutters mailing list | [email protected] > http://lists.tit-wank.com/mailman/listinfo/osx-nutters > List hosted at http://cat5.org/ _______________________________________________ OSX-Nutters mailing list | [email protected] http://lists.tit-wank.com/mailman/listinfo/osx-nutters List hosted at http://cat5.org/
