Mythological Quileute Figures

Nov 5

Popularity in Quileute Culture with the Release of Twilight

Since the breakthrough with the Twilight books by Stefanie Meyer there has been an increased interest in people wanting to learn about the Quileute folklore that she based some of her material off of. While all of the Quileute folklore is very interesting there are a few important characters that stand out more than others whether it be because of their legend or their level of importance to the tribe. For those who are not familiar with them here is a look at some of the more legendary Quileute folklore characters and a little history behind them.

Q’Wati the Transformer, created the First Quileute from a Wolf

One primary character known for his ability to turn a pair of wolves into actual people is Q’Wati known as the transformer. Likened to a god to the Quileute tribe he is also known to be a great source of protection to the tribe as well as a valuable teacher. Q’Wati was also rumored to be the creator of not only the Quileute tribe but also the creator for the Neah, Queet, Hoh, and Makah people as well.

The Raven Posseses Greed and Arrogance

As one of the most charming characters that is known in the Quileute folklore, the Raven is very loved amongst the Quileute people. He is also known as one of those characters who had to learn from the many mistakes he would make and like many other characters who were similar he possessed a number of typical characteristics such as greed and arrogance. He was also said to be lazy, a liar and exceptionally rude to other characters. The Quileute would use him as an example to teach their young not to be likened to the Raven. The Quileute used him to show their children what personality traits they did not want to possess and how they should not want to learn their lessons the hard way like he had to.

Dask’iya Ate Children

Another character that the Quileute use as a means of teaching their children to behave is the Dask’iya. The Dask’iya is supposedly an ogress that is also a cannibal. She is known to carry a basket. While this may not sound particularly scary at first the Quileute would tell their children that she used her basket as a means to get unsuspecting children who were not behaving themselves and put them in her basket and bring them to her house to eat them! The Quileute children would quickly behave after hearing about her.

The Quileute Thunderbird

Quileute Thunderbird Story

While used as another character of importance to the Quileute folklore although maybe not as important as some others, the Thunderbird is another character that is well known amongst the Quileute. According to folklore the Thunderbird rescued and protected the Quileute when they were under extreme duress from starving to death. The weather had gotten very bad thus preventing the Quileute from being able to fish as they normally would for their food. The Great Chief went to speak to the Great Spirit and it was thought that the Thunderbird was a sort of answer to their prayers. It is said that the Thunderbird came with a huge whale and placed it before the Quileute people and then went back to wherever he had come from. By providing this the Thunderbird also endeared himself to the Quileute people and is still to this day a character that they hold at the utmost respect.

The Deer and the Beaver’s Plan

There are other characters that are mentioned throughout Quileute folklore such as the Deer and the Beaver who are known for trying to kill the Q’Wati. Their plan however was foiled when the Q’Wati learned of what they were going to attempt and took their weapons and put them in their ears and tails.

Quileute Legend