Skinwalkers: Terror of the Southwest Tribes

Skinwalkers appear in the legends of many Native American tribes, but the most frequently cited is the Navajo. These beings are said to have a human form but to have the ability to transform into terrifying beasts. They can transform into any number of formidable animals such as coyotes, wolves, bears, or birds of prey. One name for them is the Navajo “Yee Naaldlooshii,” which translates to, “With it, he goes on all fours,” or just “Naagloshii.” The legends are somewhat different depending upon the region or tribe of origin, but the main details of the the being and the experiences with them tend to remain the same.

According to the known lore, Skinwalkers were once humans who had great spiritual power. Most often, they were shamans or Native American witches who became too arrogant, and in their hubris they crossed over into forbidden realms, or participated in dark ceremonies in the pursuit of power. It is a common practice among shamans to work with animal spirits and to form bonds with certain animal totems, but these individuals pushed that relationship too far by calling upon evil forces that would grant them the power to physically transform into animals of their choosing. The sorts of rituals required to gain such immense power involve horrible acts, or even atrocities, which are forbidden within most Native American cultures, such as the murder of a family…