The origin of Twilight's werewolves

The official Sam Uley MySpace pageThe Quileutes have always had magic in their blood. However, we have not always possessed the ability to shape-shift into wolves. In the beginning, we were spirit warriors. Kaheleha was the first great spirit Chief that we know of. When the tribe's land became threatened by a much larger tribe, Kaheleha lead the Quileutes to victory with their magic.

Our last great Spirit Chief, Taha Aki, was known to be a man of peace. However, there was one spirit warrior name Utlapa who did not agree with Taha Aki's ways. He wanted to enslave the neighboring tribes and gain power over more of the land. When Taha Aki became aware of Utlapa's wishes, he banished him from the tribe and prohibited him from ever using his spirit self again. Utlapa was furious, and took advantage of his first opportunity for revenge. The moment Taha Aki left his body in his spirit form, Utlapa stole Taha Aki's body and then killed his own body so that there was no body left to return to. Taha Aki was stuck in the spirit world, with no way to warn his tribe.

Taha Aki eventually came up with a solution that would change the lives of the Quileutes for generations to come. He entered the body of a large wolf, and the wolf shared his body with Taha Aki's spirit willingly. As both man and wolf, he went back to his tribe. At first they tried to kill him, but then they realized that the wolf was not an ordinary wolf. One of the warriors disobeyed his orders and entered into the spirit world, thus learning the truth. When Utlapa realized what happened, he killed the warrior before he could tell the others what he had discovered. Taha Aki was so enraged, so full of human anger, that his emotions were too powerful for the wolf's body, too human, and so he transformed into a man. Thus, the werewolves were created.Comment:  Is there any evidence that these are real rather than made-up Quileute legends? The "spirit warrior" part might be legitimate, but when you get into the human wolves, I start to doubt it.

The Quileute names sound almost Polynesian. Russell Bates better not learn that or he'll come up with another of his crackpot theories.

I wonder how the Quileutes would feel if Meyer did fabricate their spiritual beliefs? Unfortunately, some might approve because the publicity was good for their tourism. Those who disapprove might be unwilling to speak up in public.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

P.S. It's cute how every Twilight character has his or her own MySpace page. Be friends with your favorite fictional vampire or werewolf!

Below:  "I'm a sophisticated Quileute Indian, but I like to snarl and howl and rip things apart with my fangs and claws."