The Dawn of the World: Myths and Weird Tales Told by the Mewan Indians of California

This volume collects and presents the myths and traditions of the Mewan Indians of California, edited by C. Hart Merriam and published in 1910. The content consists of two major parts: Ancient Myths and Present Day Myths.

Part One includes approximately thirty named myths featuring transformation tales involving animal-persons and early divinities. Key narratives include the creation of mankind by Coyote-man, how fire and the sun were stolen, the adventures of Wek'-wek the Falcon, the shape-shifting of the First People into animals and natural phenomena, and tales of giants like Ke'-lok. Stories explain why robins have red breasts, how thunder and rainbows originated, and why death became permanent.

Part Two documents contemporary Mewan beliefs regarding animals, ghosts, natural phenomena, and supernatural beings. Animals like bears and owls possess human characteristics and intentions; ghosts follow specific pathways and can return in animal form; witches, river mermaids, and giants inhabit the landscape.

The introduction explains the mythology's fundamental concepts: the First People, divine magic-workers, primordial darkness, the theft and preservation of fire in the buckeye tree, and the creation of present-day Indians through transformation of feathers, sticks, or clay. Illustrations include original paintings by E. W. Deming and C. J. Hittell.