What do Indian legends about origins typically describe?

Indian legends about origins predominantly describe creation stories. These narratives often detail the beginnings of the world, the establishment of natural elements, and the emergence of the first people and cultures. They serve not only to explain how things came to be but also to convey moral lessons, cultural values, and the relationship between humans and the environment.

While migration stories address the journeys and movements of tribes or groups, they are usually a subset of a broader tradition that encompasses the creation narratives of different tribes. The legends articulate a people’s connections to their land, their place in the universe, and the spiritual significance of their origins.