Beasts of Legend

Did You Know?

I think that we need mythology. We need a bedrock of story and legend in order to live our lives coherently. Alan Moore

Asin

Estimated reading: 5 minutes 126 views

Asin Basket Woman

Summary: Asin, often referred to as the "Basket Woman," is a creature in Native American folklore known for roaming forests and capturing disobedient children. This legend, passed down through generations, serves as a warning and a lesson in obedience. Asin represents the consequences of disregard for societal norms, especially wandering alone or ignoring elders' advice. Despite her terrifying image, her stories are also empowering, showing that cleverness and resourcefulness can outsmart even the most fearsome figures.

Facebook Pinterest X Email

The Basket Woman of Alsea and Yaquina FolkloreFolklore is an umbrella term that encompasses vari More!

Classification

Domain: Folklore Creature
Phyllum: Bogey
Class: Diurnal Terrestrial
Order: Warning/Cautionary
Type: Giantess/Ogress
Family: Fae
Threat Level: Deadly/Extreme

Overview

In Native American folklore, the tale of Asin, often referred to as the “Basket Woman,” has been passed down through generations as both a terrifying warning and a lesson in obedience.

Asin is an ogre-like creature that roams the forests, seeking out disobedient children who have strayed too far from the safety of their communities. She is depicted as a massive, frightening figure with a large basket strapped to her back, which she uses to carry her captives away to her lair where she devours them.

The legend of Asin isn’t just about fear; it carries deep cultural lessons. She represents the consequences of misbehavior, especially wandering alone in the wilderness or ignoring the guidance of elders.

Her stories warn children of the dangers lurking outside their safe spaces and reinforce the importance of staying close to home and respecting social norms.

First Sighting

The origins of the Basket Woman can be traced back to various Native American tribes, including the Alsea, Yaquina, Apache, Navajo‘Navajo’ refers to a Native American tribe and the More, and Hopi.

Asin’s presence in these cultures reflects a shared belief in using supernaturalThe term “supernatural” refers to stories or narra More figures to reinforce societal norms.

Although details vary across tribes, the core elements of the legend remain consistent—the monster’s appearance, her basket, and the fate that awaits those she captures.

Habitat and Behavior:

Asin is said to live deep within the forests, away from human settlements, where she can silently track her prey. With her enormous basket strapped to her back, she sneaks through the trees, waiting for children to wander too far from the safety of the village.

Her behavior is often described as sneaky and stealthy, using her large, silent feet to avoid detection.

Once she spots a disobedient child, she will pounce, scooping them up and tossing them into her basket. The child’s cries for help are ignored as she retreats to her lair, where she plans to feast on the frightened, captured child.

Like the Wendigo she has cannibalistic tendencies.

Asin Physical Description

Appearance: A massive, ogre-like creature with rough, weathered skin, wild hair, and enormous hands. Her most distinguishing feature is the large basket strapped to her back, big enough to hold several children.

Some regional variations of her appearance occur. One recorded account of her appearance states that Asin is a large, naked, black, old woman with long, pendulous breasts and bedraggled hair. She is also described as having a black face and red lips, and making a “Hu!” sound.

Size: Tall and imposing, towering over most humans, with a hunched, lumbering gait.

Abilities: Asin is fast and deceptively quiet, using her stealth to approach children unnoticed. While she is strong enough to carry multiple children in her basket, she is not known for being particularly intelligent.

Weaknesses: Many stories emphasize Asin’s dim-witted nature, allowing children to outsmart her. In some versions, the children can escape by tricking her into looking away or using the basket against her.

Associations with Wealth: Despite her fearsome nature, Asin is associated with wealth and is venerated by some as a bringer of riches. Those who can overcome her, either by tricking her or taking control of her child, may be rewarded with wealth [1]The Tale of the Basket Woman: A Haunting Legend from Native American FolkloreFolklore is an umbrella term that encompasses vari More .

Some stories mention her ability to revive herself from death and regenerate wounds, and she is also described as having limited eyesight and being somewhat dim-witted.

In further variations, her laughter is an omen of death, and dreaming about her can bring bad medicine [2]Gill, Sam D.; Sullivan, Irene F. (1992). Dictionary of Native American Mythology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO .

Connection to Dzunuḵ̓wa:

Asin is sometimes identified with the figure Dzunuḵ̓wa, another prominent figure in Kwakwaka’wakw mythology [3]Thom, Ian M.; McMichael Canadian Art Collection (2009). Challenging traditions: contemporary First Nations art of the Northwest Coast (illustrated ed.). Publisher Douglas & McIntyre. p. 36 .

.

Mythical Significance

The legend of Asin serves as both a cautionary tale and a tool for teaching children about the importance of obedience and respect for boundaries.

Asin’s captures aren’t just physical—they represent the consequences of straying too far from the safety and protection of the community.

She acts as a supernaturalThe term “supernatural” refers to stories or narra More enforcer of societal norms, ensuring that the young stay within the limits established by their culture.

However, Asin also reflects a more nuanced part of human nature—her vulnerability to cleverness and cunning, showing that even the most terrifying figures can be outwitted.

These stories empower children with the idea that they can challenge or escape the monsters of their world, using their wit and resourcefulness.

Related Creatures

Faceless Spirit: This Iroquois entity collects the life force of dead things and returns it to the Creator to be recycled into new life.
Wendigo: a creature of Algonquian folklore, embodies the dangers of unchecked hunger and can transform humans into monstrous beings. Its connection to the forest and cannibalistic nature makes it a cautionary figure.
Owl Man Giant: A malevolent figure in Apache mythology, Owl Man Giant is a cannibalistic creature that preys on humans.
Kee-wakw ( or Giwakwa) was a giant, cannibalistic, half-animal half-human creature that inhabited the forests and woodlands of the area of present-day New England during ancient times.
Kukwes is a kind of man-eating ogre from Mi'kmaq Indian folklore. The Kukwes are greedy, hairy, and sometimes described as having bear-like heads.

Facebook Pinterest X Email

Footnotes (3)

1

The Tale of the Basket Woman: A Haunting Legend from Native American Folklore

2

Gill, Sam D.; Sullivan, Irene F. (1992). Dictionary of Native American Mythology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO

3

Thom, Ian M.; McMichael Canadian Art Collection (2009). Challenging traditions: contemporary First Nations art of the Northwest Coast (illustrated ed.). Publisher Douglas & McIntyre. p. 36

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

CONTENTS

Comment

Knowledge Base Contact Us Chat

The 9 Realms of Norse Mythology

From the depths of Ginnungagap, life springs forth, anchored by the cosmic ash t

Banshee

The Banshee, derived from the Irish term 'bean sídhe', meaning “woman of the fai

Skin-Walker

The Skin-walker, a creature from Native American folklore, specifically among th

Asin

Asin, often referred to as the "Basket Woman," is a creature in Native American

El Cucuy

El Cucuy, also known as Coco or Cuca, is a legendary creature in the folklore of

La Llorona

La Llorona, known as the Weeping Woman, is a figure from Mexican folklore often

Mexico

Akaname

“Beware the grime you leave behind… for something hungers in the dark.” The Akan

Bai Ze

The Bai Ze is a legendary beast in Chinese lore, renowned for its wisdom and kno

China

Beasts of Urban Legend

This section explores Beasts of Urban Legend, modern tales of fear and mystery c

Black-Eyed Children.

The Black-Eyed Children are supernatural beings that appear as pale, quiet child

Support

Ask our AI support bot your questions about our platform, features, and services.

What can I help you with?

Not sure what to ask?

Support

Ask our AI support bot your questions about our platform, features, and services.

What can I help you with?

Not sure what to ask?

Subscribe

×