the Mythology and Traditions of Dieguenos

This volume preserves the rich oral traditions of the Kumeyaay people-also known as the Diegueños-of southern California and northwestern Baja California. Through myths, legends, and tales, it offers a rare insight into a worldview deeply rooted in the natural and spiritual landscape of the region. Closely related to the storytelling traditions of neighboring Yuman and Uto-Aztecan peoples, these narratives illuminate shared cultural motifs such as the Southern California Creation Myth and the enduring Flute Lure legend. Collecting and presenting these stories with ethnographic care, the book reveals the depth and continuity of Kumeyaay cosmology, morality, and social understanding. The Mythology and Traditions of the Dieguenos stands as a vital record of Indigenous narrative heritage, preserving voices that connect generations through story, song, and belief.