Is Big Foot worshiped as a Native American spirit among any tribes? Thank you?

Question

Is Big Foot worshiped as a Native American spirit among any tribes? Thank you?

Answer 1

Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is an alleged ape-like creature said to inhabit remote forests, mainly in the Pacific northwest region of the United States and the Canadian province of British Columbia. In northern Wisconsin, Lakota Indians know the creature by the name Chiye-tanka, a Lakota name for "Big Elder Brother."[1] Bigfoot is sometimes described as a large, hairy bipedal hominoid, and some believe that this animal, or its close relatives, may be found around the world under different regional names, such as the Yeti of Tibet and Nepal, the Yeren of mainland China, and the Yowie of Australia.

Similar alleged creatures

Almas - Mongolia

Barmanou - Afghanistan and Pakistan

Ebu Gogo - Flores Island, Indonesia

Fear liath - Scotland

Fouke Monster - Fouke, Arkansas

Hibagon - Japan

Kapre - Philippines

Karakoncolos - Turkey, Bulgaria

Momo the Monster - Missouri

Người Rừng - Vietnam

Old Yellow Top - Canada

Orang Mawas - Malaysia

Orang Pendek - Sumatra, Indonesia

Skunk Ape - Florida

Woodwose

Yeren - Hubei, China

Yeti - Tibet

Yowie - Australia

There are various Native American artifacts presented as circumstantial evidence for the existence of Sasquatch.

[edit] Stone heads

Pyle writes, "Certain artifacts suggest that some Amerindians were acquainted with something having the visage of an ape," and adds: "several carved stone heads from the Columbia River basin" (Pyle, 146). Pyle also notes that prominent paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh wrote in 1877, "Among the many stone carvings (from the Columbia) were a number of heads, which so strongly resemble those of apes that the likeness at once presents itself" (ibid). Furthermore, the stone carvings are prehistoric (a conclusion supported by B. Robert Butler, who determined the heads as dating from Wakemap Middle Period, 1500 BC to 200 AD (Halpin and Ames, 299), depicting "prognathous, chinless faces with heavy brow ridges and in at least one case a sagittal crest." Pyle adds, "relics do not prove that Bigfoot exists or that [natives] had contact with apes, but they do raise some uncomfortable questions" (Ibid, 146).

These artifacts are discussed at length by anthropologist Roderick Sprague in Carved Stone Heads of the Columbia and Sasquatch. Dozens of similar stone heads were recovered and most depict common animals. Sprague examines seven carved heads, which he argues have distinctively monkey- or ape-like features. Like Pyle, Sprague notes that this does not necessarily support Bigfoot's existence, but Sprague sees the question of what inspired the carved stone heads as intriguing and unresolved.

[edit] Face masks

In "The Tsimshian Monkey Masks and Sasquatch," the anthropologist and ethnologist Marjorie Halpin describes two wood facemasks that were collected from the Tsimshian and Nisga'a tribes (near Prince Rupert, British Columbia). One was obtained by Lieutenant G. T. Emmons in about 1914, and the other was obtained by Marius Barbeau in 1927.[4][5]

Emmons described the artifact as "a mythical being found in the woods, and called today as a monkey" (Halpin and Ames, 211). Halpin also reports that the physical anthropologist R.D.E. MacPhee examined the Emmons mask and noted that it had both monkey- and ape-like features, but could not match it exactly to any recognized species (ibid, 212). Halpin details the elaborate mask-related folklore and rites pertaining to a creature called "pi'kis," which has both human and animal traits (especially connected to otters). He also describes the creature as occupying a "dangerously close intersection between human and animal" in native lore (ibid, 225). As with the carved stone heads, Halpin notes that these monkey-like masks alone do not prove that Sasquatch are real; rather, they are curious artifacts which warrant further investigation.

[edit] Problems with Native American culture as evidence

In the article, "On the Cultural Track of Sasquatch", Wayne Suttles offers a detailed examination of such legends, cited from various Pacific northwest tribes, including tales from the Salish, Lummi, Samish and Klallam peoples. Suttles confirms the often-repeated observation that none of the groups makes "real/mythical or natural/supernatural dichotomy" (Sprague and Krantz, 43). However, Suttles concludes that rather than being inspired by a real creature, "It seems more likely that these beliefs have grown out of several sources and have been maintained in several ways. One of the sources may have been a real man-like animal. But I must reluctantly admit that as I have presented data and organized arguments, I have found its track getting fainter and fainter" (ibid, 71).

Some scientists have speculated that such evidence is, in fact, circular. Sasquatch statues and legends existed long before the modern Bigfoot sightings. Thus, it is speculated these legends reinforced the first modern-day "mysterious sighting" as "some kind of giant apelike creature", creating the Bigfoot legend. In other words, the legend of Sasquatch created the Bigfoot legend, and therefore cannot be used a evidence

Answer 2

Okay, I think I am the only actual Native American who has answered this so far (by actual I mean I was raised in a tribal setting and am enrolled in a federally recognized tribe) anyways, NO WE DO NOT WORSHIP BIGFOOT. Many tribes, in fact the vast majority of them believed in one Creator. We all have different cultures though, so I cannot speak for all of them. Non-natives like to portray us as ignorant, uncivilized beasts, but in fact we are not. Big foot is a creature told about in our stories, sort of like faery's and dragons in other cultures. Does it exist? Who knows. I have never seen one, but if I ever do I'll let you know.

Mitty Mitty, what tribe do you come from? I have NEVER heard of a tribe worshiping "trees and stuff". Perhaps you misinterpret a certain Native culture you are claiming to be from?

Alex,

Good job with your research, much of it is almost true, however unless you are part of a culture, never assume you (or the person writing the book you refer to) know squat about it. I learned a long time ago not to trust text books when it comes to other cultures (except maybe European ones) considering all the flaws every single darn one of them has about my tribe's culture.

Jim, common now, are you from any of the tribes you listed? No. So, what makes you think you are qualified to answer on their behalf?

Answer 3

Yes.  In my opinion, Tahquitz, of the Shoshone, here in Southern California, likely had its origin with a bigfoot.  Tahquitz was a giant hairy stinking nocturnal cannibal that was thought to live in a cave by Lily Rock near Idlewild in California on Mt. San Juacinto.   When I had drilling jobs in Palm Springs, local native americans came by to pay tribute to Tahquitz before we were allowed to break ground.  Tahquitz is also associated with ball lightning.  There are many other Native American stories, but I am not aware of any that "worship" him and maybe that isn't the right word with Tahquitz either. Most tribes treat them as animals.  When you move away from the Pacific Northwest, they tend to think of them as spirits.