Spirits Dark and Light: Supernatural Tales from the Five Civilized Tribes
In many Native American traditions, the spirit world and the natural world are closely connected. What happens to animals, people, or the land can echo in the world of spirits—and the other way around. Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle shares this idea through tales passed down by the Five Civilized Tribes: the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole nations. In these stories, the spirit world steps into our world in surprising and unforgettable ways.
These spooky tales don’t just give readers a good shiver—they also offer a peek into the customs and beliefs that continue to shape these vibrant communities. In the Cherokee tale “Eagle Slayer,” trouble sweeps through a village when someone breaks an important tradition. The Seminole story “Hungry for Meat” shows why honoring the dead matters deeply to a people who once traveled from place to place. And in the Creek story “Two Friends,” a frightening twist reminds us that pretending to be something we’re not can upset the natural balance and lead to loneliness and hurt.
Owls, rabbits, deer, eagles—many animal spirits appear throughout these stories, changing shapes and teaching lessons as they go. Their adventures shine a light on the values still cherished by the Five Civilized Tribes today.
