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Post by Okwes on May 16, 2007 10:08:23 GMT -5
Creation Story - Haudenosaunee
In the beginning there was no earth to live on, but up above, in the Great Blue, there was a woman who dreamed dreams.
One night she dreamed about a tree covered with white blossoms, a tree that brightened up the sky when its flowers opened but that brought terrible darkness when they closed again. The dream frightened her, so she went and told it to the wise old men who lived with her in their village in the sky.
"Pull up this tree," she begged them, but they did not understand. All they did was dig around its roots, to make space for more light. But the tree just fell through the hole they had made and disappeared. After that there was no light at all, only darkness.
The old men grew frightened of the woman and her dreams. It was her fault that the light had disappeared forever.
So they dragged her toward the hole and pushed her through as well. Down, down she fell, down toward the great emptiness. There was nothing below her but a heaving waste of water. She would surely have been smashed to pieces, this strange dreaming woman from the Great Blue, had not a fish hawk come to her aid. His feathers made a pillow for her and she drifted gently above the waves.
But the fish hawk could not keep her up all on his own. He needed help. So he called out to the creatures of the deep. "We must find some firm ground for this poor woman to rest on," he said anxiously. But there was no ground, only the swirling, endless waters.
A helldiver went down, down, down to the very bottom of the sea and brought back a little bit of mud in his beak. He found a turtle, smeared the mud onto its back, and dived down again for more.
Then the ducks joined in. They loved getting muddy and they too brought beaksful of the ocean floor and spread it over the turtle's shell. The beavers helped -- they were great builders -- and they worked away, making the shell bigger and bigger.
Everybody was very busy now and everybody was excited. This world they were making seemed to be growing enormous! The birds and the animals rushed about building countries, the continents, until, in the end, they had made the whole round earth, while all the time they sky woman was safely sitting on the turtle's back.
And the turtle holds the earth up to this very day.
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Post by Okwes on May 16, 2007 10:09:00 GMT -5
Creation Story Haudenosaunee 3 - Haudenosaunee
The Iroquois trace the beginning of human life to a time when Skywoman fell to an island created by a giant turtle. The island grew in shape and size and became North America. There, Skywoman gave birth to a daughter whose children propagated the human race. Penobscot: When Kloskurbeh, the All-Maker, lived on earth, there were no people yet. But one day a youth appeared, born from the foam of the waves, and became his chief helper. After these two beings had created all manner of things, there came to them a beautiful girl. She was born of the wonderful earth plant, and of the dew, and of warmth.
First Mother (as she was called) married the chief helper of Kloskurbeh. When their children multiplied until there was not enough game to feed them all, First Mother made her husband kill her. Then he and his children dragged her body back and forth across a barren plot of land, as she had ordered, and buried her bones in the center of the field. Seven months later they returned and found the field green with ripe corn and, in the center, fragrant tobacco.
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Post by Okwes on May 16, 2007 10:09:42 GMT -5
Creation Story - Mayan From the Popul-Vuh of the Quiche Maya "God made some men of mud, but they were very soft and limp and couldn't see. They could speak, but what they said didn't make sense. When they got wet the couldn't even stand up. God saw that they were of no use so he broke them up and said "I will try again". Then he made men out of wood. The wooden men were better; they could walk and talk. They built houses and had children, and there were very many of them. But they were dry and yellow, and their faces had no expression, because they had no minds nor souls or hearts. They beat their dogs and they burned the bottoms of their cooking pots. They had forgotten how they were made and could not remember any of the names of God. So he said. "These men will not do either. I must destroy them also". And he sent a great flood and the houses of the wooden men fell down. The wooden men wanted to escape, but the animals they had starved and beaten, and cooking pots they had burned, and the trees whose branches they had chopped off, all turned against them and wouldn't help them. Only a few of them escaped from the flood, and it is said that their descendants are the monkeys. And it still hadn't dawned; and God wanted to make real men when the dawn came and the sun rose. . . . He took ears of yellow corn of white corn and ground them into meal. With the corn meal he make nine kinds of liquor, and these became man's strength and energies. With the dough of the meal he shaped the body and he made four men, very strong and handsome. They were called the Wizard of the Fatal Laugh, the Wizard of the Night, the Careless and the Black Wizard...They were gifted with intelligence and they managed to know everything there is in the world. While the men slept, he made four women very carefully, and when the men woke, each found at his side a beautiful wife. When they looked they would see everything that was around them, and they constantly contemplated the arch of the sky and the round face of the earth. "Thank you for our life!" they said. "We can see, we can hear, we can move and think and speak, we feel and know everything, we can see everything in the earth and in the sky. Thank you for having made us, Oh Father!" Then the Creator was troubled, for he realized that these men could see too much and too far, so that they would not really be men, but gods. He saw that he had to change them so that they could be what he needed. So he leaned down and blew mist in their eyes and clouded their vision, like breathing on a mirror, and from then on nothing was clear to their sight except what was close to them. The four men and their wives went up on a mountain and waited for the dawn. First they saw the shining face of the great star, the Morning Star which comes ahead of the sun, and burned incense and unwrapped three gifts to offer the sun. Then the sun came up. Then the puma and the jaguar roared and all the birds stretched their wings and sang, and the men and their wives danced with joy because the sun had risen. www.indigenouspeople.net/legend.htm
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Post by Okwes on May 16, 2007 10:10:25 GMT -5
Creation story - Lakota There was another world before this one. But the people of that world did not behave themselves. Displeased, the Creating Power set out to make a new world. He sang several songs to bring rain, which poured stronger with each song. As he sang the fourth song, the earth split apart and water gushed up through the many cracks, causing a flood. By the time the rain stopped, all of the people and nearly all of the animals had drowned. Only Kangi the crow survived. Kangi pleaded with the Creating Power to make him a new place to rest. So the Creating Power decided the time had come to make his new world. From his huge pipe bag, which contained all types of animals and birds, the Creating Power selected four animals known for their ability to remain under water for a long time. He sent each in turn to retrieve a lump of mud from beneath the floodwaters. First the loon dove deep into the dark waters, but it was unable to reach the bottom. The otter, even with its strong webbed feet, also failed. Next, the beaver used its large flat tail to propel itself deep under the water, but it too brought nothing back. Finally, the Creating Power took the turtle from his pipe bag and urged it to bring back some mud. Turtle stayed under the water for so long that everyone was sure it had drowned. Then, with a splash, the turtle broke the water's surface! Mud filled its feet and claws and the cracks between its upper and lower shells. Singing, the Creating Power shaped the mud in his hands and spread it on the water, where it was just big enough for himself and the crow. He then shook two long eagle wing feathers over the mud until earth spread wide and varied, overcoming the waters. Feeling sadness for the dry land, the Creating Power cried tears that became oceans, streams, and lakes. He named the new land Turtle Continent in honor of the turtle who provided the mud from which it was formed. The Creating Power then took many animals and birds from his great pipe bag and spread them across the Earth. From red, white, black, and yellow earth, he made men and women. The Creating Power gave the people his sacred pipe and told them to live by it. He warned them about the fate of the people who came before them. He promised all would be well if all living things learned to live in harmony. But the world would be destroyed again if they made it bad and ugly. Lakota Star Knowledge www.angelfire.com/co/MedicineWolf/stories/crea.html
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Post by Okwes on May 16, 2007 10:34:27 GMT -5
Creation Story - Míkmaq
This story has been passed down from generation to generation since time immemorial and it explains how Míkmaw people came into existence in North America. The story tells about the relationship between the Great Spirit Creator and Human Beings and the Environment. It also explains a philosophical view of life which is indigenous to North America. This way of thinking is evident in the Native Languages and Cultures and in the spiritual practices.
The fact that the Míkmaw people's language, culture and spiritualism has survived for centuries is based on the creation story. Respect for their elders has given them wisdom about life and the world around them. The strength of their youth has given them the will to survive. The love and trust of their motherhood has given them a special understanding of everyday life.
Among the Míkmaw people, the number seven is very meaningful. There are seven districts for distinct areas which encompasses an area of land stretching from the Gaspé coast of Quebec and includes northern Maine, eastern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The most powerful spirit medicine is made from seven barks and roots. Seven men, representatives from each distinct area or Grand Council District sit inside a sweat-lodge smoke the pipe and burn the sweet grass. Inside the sweat-lodge, the Míkmaq will pour water over seven, fourteen and then twenty-one heated rocks to produce hot steam. A cleansing or purification takes place. A symbolic rebirth takes place and the men give thanks to the Creator, the Sun and the Earth. They also give thanks the first family, Kluskap, Nukumi, Netawansum, and Nikanakanimqúsíwsq. Listen to the story.
ONE KISÚLKW Kisúlkw is the Creator who is the one who made everything. The word Kisúlkw in Míkmaw means "you have been created". It also means "the one credited for your existence".
The word does not imply gender. Kisúlkw is not a He or a She, it is not important whether the Creator is a He or a She.
The Míkmaw people do not explain how the Creator came into existence only that Kisúlkw is responsible for everything being where it is today. Kisúlkw made everything.
TWO NISKAM Niskam is the sun which travels in a circle and owes its existence to Kisúlkw. Niskam is the giver of life. It is also a giver of light and heat.
The Míkmaw people believe that Niskam is responsible for the creation of the people on earth. Nisgam is Kisúlkw's helper. The power of Niskam is held with much respect among the Míkmaq and other aboriginal peoples. Niskam owes its existence to Kisúlkw the Creator.
THREE WSITQAMÚK Wsitqamúk is the earth or area of land upon which the Míkmaq people walk and share its abundant resources with the animals and plants. In the Míkmaq language Wsitqamúk means "the person or individual who stand upon this surface", or "the one who is given life upon this surface of land". Wsitqamúk refers to the Míkmaq world which encompasses all the area where the Míkmaw people can travel or have travelled upon.
Wsitqamúk was created by Kisúlkw and was placed in the centre of the circular path of Niskam, the sun. Niskam was given the responsibility of watching over the Míkmaq world or Wsitqamúk. Niskam shines bright light upon Wsitqamúk as it passes around and this brought the days and nights.
FOUR KLUSKAP After the Míkmaq world was created and after the animals, birds and plants were placed on the surface, Kisúlkw caused a bolt of lightening to hit the surface of Wsitqamúk. This bolt of lightning caused the formation of an image of a human body shaped out of sand. It was Kluskap who was first shaped out of the basic element of the Míkmaq world, sand.
Kisúlkw unleashed another bolt of lightening which gave life to Kluskap but yet he could not move. He was stuck to the ground only to watch the world go by and Niskam travel across the sky everyday. Kluskap watched the animals, the birds and the plants grow and pass around him. He asked Niskam to give him freedom to move about the Míkmaq world.
While Kluskap was still unable to move, he was lying on his back. His head was facing the direction of the rising sun, east, Papkek. In Míkmaq this words mean "where the sun comes up " respectively. His feet were in the direction of the setting sun, the west or Pitawk. Kluskap's right hand was pointed in the direction of the north or Oqwatnuk. His left hand was in the direction of the south or Elkatesnek. So it was the third big blast of lightening that caused Kluskap to become free and to be able to stand on the surface of the earth.
After Kluskap stood up on his feet, he turned around in a full circle seven times. He then looked toward the sky and gave thanks to Kisúlkw for giving him life. He looked down to the earth or the ground and gave thanks to Wsitqamúk for offering its sand for Kluskap's creation. He looked within himself and gave thanks to Niskam for giving him his soul and spirit.
Kluskap then gave thanks to the four directions east, north, west and south. In all he gave his heartfelt thanks to the seven directions.
Kluskap then travelled to the direction of the setting sun until he came to the ocean. He then went south until the land narrowed and he came to the ocean. He then went south until the land narrowed and he could see two oceans on either side. He again travelled back to where he started from and continued towards the north to the land of ice and snow. Later he came back to the east where he decided to stay. It is where he came into existence. He again watched the animals, the birds and the plants. He watched the water and the sky. Kisúlkw taught him to watch and learn about the world. Kluskap watched but he could not disturb the world around him. He finally asked Kisúlkw and Niskam, what was the purpose of his existence. He was told that he would meet someone soon.
FIVE NUKUMI One day when Kluskap was travelling in the east he came upon a very old woman. Kluskap asked the old woman how she arrived to the Míkmaq world. The old woman introduced herself as Nukumi. She said to Kluskap, "I am your grandmother". Nukumi said that she owes her existence to the rock, the dew and Niskam, the Sun. She went on to explain that on one chilly morning a rock became covered with dew because it was sitting in a low valley. By midday when the sun was most powerful, the rock got warm and then hot. With the power of Niskam, the sun, Kisúlkw's helper, the rock was given a body of an old woman. This old woman was Nukumi, Kluskap's grandmother.
Nukumi told Kluskap that she came to the Míkmaq world as an old woman, already very wise and knowledgeable. She further explained that Kluskap would gain spiritual strength by listening to and having great respect for his grandmother. Kluskap was so glad for his grandmother's arrival to the Míkmaq world he called upon Apistanéwj, a marten swimming in the river, to come ashore. Apistanéwj did what Kluskap had asked him to do. Apistanéwj came to the shore where Kluskap and Nukumi were standing. Kluskap asked Apistanéwj to give up his life so that he and his grandmother could live. Apistanéwj agreed. Nukumi then took Apistanéwj and quickly snapped his neck. She placed him on the ground. Kluskap for the first time asked Kisúlkw to use his power to give life back to Apistanéwj because he did not want to be in disfavour with the animals.
Because of marten's sacrifice, Kluskap referred to all the animals as his brothers and sisters from that point on. Nukumi added that the animals will always be in the world to provide food, clothing, tools, and shelter. Apistanéwj went back to the river and in his place lay another marten. Kluskap and Apistanéwj will become friends and brothers forever.
Nukumi cleaned the animal to get it ready for eating. She gathered the still hot sparks for the lightening which hit the ground when Kluskap was given life. She placed dry wood over the coals to make a fire. This fire became the Great Spirit Fire and later go to be known as the Great Council Fire.
The first feast of meat was cooked over the Great Fire, or Putuwasuwaqan. Kluskap relied on his grandmother for her survival, her knowledge and her wisdom. Since Nukumi was old and wise, Kluskap learned to respect her for her knowledge. They learned to respect each other for their continued interdependence and continued existence.
SIX NETAWANSUM One day when Kluskap and Nukumi were walking along in the woods, they came upon a young man. This young man looked very strong because he was tall and physically big. He had grey coloured eyes. Kluskap asked the young man his name and how he arrived to the Míkmaq world. The young man introduced himself. He told Kluskap that his name is Netawansum and that he is Kluskap's sister's son. In other words, his nephew. He told Kluskap that he is physically strong and that they could all live comfortably. Netawansum could run after moose, deer and caribou and bring them down with his bare hands. He was so strong. Netawansum said that while the east wind was blowing so hard it caused the waters of the ocean to become rough and foamy. This foam got blown to the shore on the sandy beach and finally rested on the tall grass. This tall grass is sweetgrass. Its fragrance was sweet. The sweetgrass held onto the foam until Niskam, the Sun, was high in the midday sky. Nisgam gave Netawansum spiritual and physical strength in a human body. Kisúlkw told Kluskap that if he relied on the strength and power of his nephew he would gain strength and understanding of the world around him.
Kluskap was so glad for his nephew's arrival to the Míkmaq world, he called upon the salmon of the rivers and seas to come to shore and give up their lives. The reason for this is that Kluskap, Netawansum and Nukumi did not want to kill all the animals for their survival. So in celebration of his nephew's arrival, they all had a feast of fish. They all gave thanks for their existence. They continued to rely on their brothers and sisters of the woods and waters. They relied on each other for their survival.
SEVEN NIKANAKANIMQÚSÍWSQ While Kluskap was sitting near a fire, Nukumi was making clothing out of animal hides and Netawansum was in the woods getting food. A woman came to the fire and sat beside Kluskap. She put her arms around Kluskap and asked "Are you cold my son?" Kluskap was surprised he stood up and asked the woman who she is and where did she come from. She explained that she was Kluskap's mother. Her name is Nikanakanimqúsíwsq. Kluskap waited until his grandmother and nephew returned to the fire then he asked his mother to explain how she arrived to the Míkmaq world.
Nikanakanimqúsíwsq said that she was a leaf on a tree which fell to the ground. Morning dew formed on the leaf and glistened while the sun, Niskam, began its journey towards the midday sky. It was at midday when Niskam gave life and a human form to Kluskap's mother. The spirit and strength of Niskam entered into Kluskap's mother.
Kluskap's mother said that she brings all the colours of the world to her children. She also brings strength and understanding. Strength to withstand earth's natural forces and understanding of the Míkmaq world; its animals and her children, the Míkmaq. She told them that they will need understanding and co-operation so they all can live in peace with one another.
Kluskap was so happy that his mother came into the world and since she came from a leaf, he called upon his nephew to gather nuts, fruits of the plants while Nukumi prepared a feast. Kluskap gave thanks to Kisúlkw, Niskam, Wsitqamúk, Nukumi, Netawansum and Nikanakanimqúsíwsq. They all had a feast in honour of Kluskap's mother's arrival to the world of Míkmaq.
The story goes on to say that Kluskap, the man created from the sand of the earth, continued to live with his family for a very long time. He gained spiritual strength by having respect for each member of the family. He listened to his grandmother's wisdom. He relied on his nephew' s strength and spiritual power. His mother's love and understanding gave him dignity and respect. Kluskap's brothers and sisters of the woods and waters gave him the will and the food to survive. Kluskap now learned that mutual respect of his family and the world around him was a key ingredient for basic survival. Kluskap's task was to pass this knowledge to his fellow Míkmaw people so that they too could survive in the Míkmaq world. This is why Kluskap became a central figure in Míkmaq story telling.
One day when Kluskap was talking to Nukumi he told her that soon they would leave his mother and nephew. He told her that they should prepare for that occasion. Nukumi began to get all the necessary things ready for a long journey to the North. When everyone was sitting around the Great Fire one evening, Kluskap told his mother and nephew that he and Nukumi are going to leave the Míkmaq world. He said that they will travel in the direction of the North only to return if the Míkmaq people were in danger. Kluskap told his mother and nephew to look after the Great Fire and never to let it go out.
After the passing of seven winters, "Lluiknek Tasipunkek", seven sparks will fly from the fire and when they land on the ground seven people will come to life. Seven more sparks will land on the ground and seven more people will come into existence. From these sparks will form seven women and seven men. They will form seven families. These seven families will disperse into seven different directions from the area of the Great Fire. Kluskap said that once the seven families their place of destination, they will further divide into seven groups.
Each group will have their own area for their subsistence so they would not disturb the other groups. He instructed his mother that the smaller groups would share the earth's abundance of resources which included animals, plants and fellow humans.
Kluskap told his mother that after the passing of seven winters, each of the seven groups would return to the place of the Great Fire. At the place of the fire all the people will dance, sing and drum in celebration of their continued existence in the Míkmaq world. Kluskap continued by saying that the Great Fire signified the power of the Creator, Kisúlkw. It also signified the power and strength of the light and heat of Niskam, the sun. The Great Fire held the strength of Wsitqamúk the earth. Finally the fire represented the bolt of lightening which hit the earth from which Kluskap was created. The fire is very sacred to the Míkmaq. It is the most powerful spirit on earth.
Kluskap told his mother and nephew that it is important for the Míkmaq to give honour, respect and thanks to the seven spiritual elements. The fire signifies the first four stages of creation, Kisúlkw, Niskam, Wsitqamúk and Kluskap. Fire plays a significant role in the last three stages as it represents the power of the sun, Niskam.
In honour of Nukumi's arrival to the Míkmaq world, Kluskap instructed his mother that seven, fourteen and twenty-one rocks would have to be heated over the Great Fire. These heated rocks will be placed inside a sweatlodge covered with hides of moose and caribou or with mud. The door must face the direction of the rising sun. There should be room from seven men to sit comfortably around a pit dug in the centre where up to twenty-one rocks could be placed. Seven alders, seven wild willows and seven beech saplings will be used to make the frame of the lodge. This lodge should be covered with the hides of moose, caribou, deer or mud. Seven men representing the seven original families will enter into the lodge. They will give thanks and honour to the seven directions, the seven stages of creation and to continue to live in good health. The men will pour water over the rocks causing steam to rise in the lodge to become very hot. The men will begin to sweat up to point that it will become almost unbearable. Only those who believe in the spiritual strength will be able to withstand the heat. Then they will all come out of the lodge full of steam and shining like new born babies. This is the way they will clean their spirits and should honour Nukumi's arrival.
In preparation of the sweat, the seven men will not eat any food for seven days. They will only drink the water of golden roots and bees nectar. Before entering the sweat the seven men will burn the sweetgrass. They will honour the seven directions and the seven stages of creation but mostly for Netawansum's arrival to the Míkmaq world. The sweet grass must be lit from the Great Fire.
Kluskap's mother came into the world from the leaf of a tree, so in honour of her arrival tobacco made from bark and leaves will be smoked. The tobacco will be smoked in a pipe made from a branch of a tree and a bowl made from stone.
The pipe will be lit from sweetgrass which was lit from the Great Fire. The tobacco made from bark, leaves and sweetgrass represents Kluskap's grandmother, nephew and mother. The tobacco called "Tmawey" will be smoked and the smoke will be blown in seven directions.
After honouring Nukumi's arrival the Míkmaq shall have a feast or meal. In honour of Netawansum they will eat fish. The fruits and roots of the trees and plants will be eaten to honour Kluskap's mother.
Kluskap's final instruction to his mother told her how to collect and prepare medicine from the barks and roots of seven different kinds of plant. The seven plants together make what is called "ektjimpisun". It will cure mostly every kind of illness in the Míkmaq world. The ingredients of this medicine are: "Wikpe" (alum willow), "Waqwonuminokse" (wild black-cherry), "Kastuk"(ground hemlock), and "Kowotmonokse"(red spruce). The Míkmaq people are divided into seven distinct areas which are as follows:
1. Kespukwitk - Lands End 2. Sipekníkatik - Wild Potato Area 3. Eskikewákik - Skin Dressers Area 4. Unamákik - Land of Fog 5. Epekwitk Aqq Piktuk - Laying in the Water and The Explosive Area 6. Sikniktewaq - Drainage Area 7. Kespekewaq - Last Land
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Post by Okwes on May 16, 2007 10:34:47 GMT -5
Creation Story - Navajo The Navajo creation story involves three underworlds where important events happened to shape the Fourth World where we now live. The Navajo were given the name Ni'hookaa Diyan Diné by their creators. It means "Holy Earth People" or "Lords of the Earth". Navajos today simply call themselves "Diné", meaning "The People". The Tewa Indians were the first to call them "Navahu", which means "the large area of cultivated land". The Mexicans knew them as "Apaches Du Nabahu" (Apaches of the Cultivated Fields), where "Apache" (Enemy) was picked up from the Zuni Indian language. The "Apaches Du Nabahu" were known as a special group somewhat distinct from the rest of the Apaches. Alonso de Benavides changed the name to "Navaho" in a book written in 1630. The English name the Diné officially use for themselves is "Navajo". Recently, Navajos have been referring to call themselves by their original name, "Diné". According to the Diné, they emerged from three previous underworlds into this, the fourth, or "Glittering World", through a magic reed. The first people from the other three worlds were not like the people of today. They were animals, insects or masked spirits as depicted in Navajo ceremonies. First Man ('Altsé Hastiin), and First Woman ('Altsé 'Asdzáá), were two of the beings from the First or Black World. First Man was made in the east from the meeting of the white and black clouds. First Woman was made in the west from the joining of the yellow and blue clouds. Spider Woman (Na ashje'ii 'Asdzáá), who taught Navajo women how to weave, was also from the first world. Once in the Glittering World, the first thing the people did was build a sweat house and sing the Blessing Song. Then they met in the first house (hogan) made exactly as Talking God (Haashch'eelti'i) had prescribed. In this hogan, the people began to arrange their world, naming the four sacred mountains surrounding the land and designating the four sacred stones that would become the boundaries of their homeland. In actuality, these mountains do not contain the symbolic sacred stones. The San Francisco Peaks (Dook'o'oslííd), represents the Abalone and Coral stones. It is located just north of Flagstaff, and is the Navajo's religious western boundary. Mt. Blanco (Tsisnaasjini'), in Colorado, represents the White Shell stone, and represents the Navajo's religious eastern boundary. Mt. Taylor (Tsoodzil), east of Grants, New Mexico, represents the Turquoise stone, and represents the Navajo's religious southern boundary. Mt. Hesperus (Dibé Nitsaa), in Colorado, represents the Black Jet stone, and represents the Navajo's religious northern boundary. Pictures of these sacred mountains can be found by clicking here. After setting the mountains down where they should go, the Navajo deities, or "Holy People", put the sun and the moon into the sky and were in the process of carefully placing the stars in an orderly way. But the Coyote, known as the trickster, grew impatient from the long deliberations being held, and seized the corner of the blanket where it lay and flung the remaining stars into the sky. The Holy People continued to make the necessities of life, like clouds, trees and rain. Everything was as it should be when the evil monsters appeared and began to kill the new Earth People. But a miracle happened to save them, by the birth of Ever Changing Woman (Asdzaa Nadleehe) at Gobernador Knob (Ch'óol'í'í), New Mexico. Changing Woman grew up around El Huerfano Mesa (Dzil Na'oodilii), in northern New Mexico. She married the Sun and bore two son, twins, and heroes to the Navajo people. They were known as "Monster Slayer" and "Child-Born-of-Water". The twins traveled to their father the Sun who gave them weapons of lighting bolts to fight the dreaded monsters. Every place the Hero Twins killed a monster it turned to stone. An example of this is the lave flows near Mt. Taylor in New Mexico, believed to be the blood from the death of Ye'iitsoh, or the "Monster who Sucked in People". All of the angular rock formations on the reservation, such as the immense Black Mesa (Dzil Yíjiin), are seen as the turned-to-stone bodies of the monsters. With all of the monsters dead, the Navajo deities, or "Holy People", turned their attention to the making of the four original clans. Kiiyaa aanii, or Tall House People, was the first clan. They were made of yellow and white corn. Eventually other clans traveled to the area round the San Juan River, bring their important contributions to the tribe. Some were Paiutes who brought their beautiful baskets. Others were Pueblos who shared their farming and weaving skills. Still others were Utes and Apaches. For her husband, the "Sun", to visit her every evening, Changing Woman went to live in the western sea on an island made of rock crystal. Her home was made of the four sacred stones: Abalone, White Shell, Turquoise, and Black Jet. During the day she became lonely and decided to make her own people. She made four clans from the flakes of her skin. These were known as the Near Water People, Mud People, Salt Water People, and Bitter Water People. When these newly formed clans heard that there were humans to the east who shared their heritage, they wanted to go meet them. Changing Woman gave her permission for them to travel from the western sea to the San Francisco Peaks. They then traveled through the Hopi mesas where they left porcupine, still commonly found there today. Then they traveled toward the Chuska Mountains and on to Mt. Taylor. Finally, the people arrived at Dinetah, the Diné traditional homeland, and joined the other clans already living there. Dinetah is located in the many canyons that drain the San Juan River about 30 miles east of Farmington, New Mexico. www.lapahie.com/Creation.cfm
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 13:34:41 GMT -5
Creation Story - Potawatomi
Anishnabe found himself alone on earth. The Creator told him to give everything a name, and he did this, accompanied by a wolf. He discovered that only he, among the many species, was alone, without a mate, and he was lonely.
He traveled to the Great Lakes and while searching, heard a beautiful song coming across the water. The woman's voice was singing that she was making a home for him. He fell in love with the voice and the song. In the days that followed, he learned how to cross the water and finally came to a lodge facing west. There lived a beautiful woman and her father, the Firekeeper.
This was the first union - Anishabe and the Firekeeper's Daughter. It determined the roles of men and women in marriage. They had four sons, who when they were grown traveled to the four directions of the earth. The son who traveled north had a hard journey, but learned that the melting snow cleansed Mother Earth. Because of the snow, the color for North is white. This son married the daughter of the Spirit of the North and was given sweet grass, the first gift of Mother Earth. It is kept in a braid like a mother's hair.
The second son traveled east, into the yellow of the rising sun. He learned that fire is the essence of life and gained in knowledge of the Creator. He married the daughter of the Spirit of the East, and was given tobacco to use in prayer, to communicate with the Creator. The third son went south, which is the woman's direction from which comes seeds and other things that give life. Red, the color of life's blood, is the color for south. He married the Spirit of the South's daughter and was given the gift of cedar, which is used to cleanse and purify the home and prepare for food.
The fourth son went West, toward the mountains. Marrying the Spirit of the West's daughter, he was given sage and learned that the setting sun represents the circle of life and its cycle. The color for West is black, for the dark time, and the sage, a strong purifier, is to keep illness away.
Smoke from the cedar and sage is fanned upward with an eagle feather because the eagle once saved the Indian people when the Creator would have destroyed them. The eagle told the Creator there were faithful people on earth, and was sent out each morning to see if the smoke still rose from the lodges of those good people. Fanning the smoke with the eagle feather symbolizes the eagle delivering the message to the Creator that his people are still there and still believe.
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 13:35:02 GMT -5
Creation Story Penobscot - Penobscot When Kloskurbeh, the All-Maker, lived on earth, there were no people yet. But one day a youth appeared, born from the foam of the waves, and became his chief helper. After these two beings had created all manner of things, there came to them a beautiful girl. She was born of the wonderful earth plant, and of the dew, and of warmth. First Mother (as she was called) married the chief helper of Kloskurbeh. When their children multiplied until there was not enough game to feed them all, First Mother made her husband kill her. Then he and his children dragged her body back and forth across a barren plot of land, as she had ordered, and buried her bones in the center of the field. Seven months later they returned and found the field green with ripe corn and, in the center, fragrant tobacco. www.geocities.com/willow1d/creation.html#penobscot
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 13:35:18 GMT -5
Creation Story - Seminole Near the beginning of time, five Seminole Indian men wanted to visit the sky to see the Great Spirit. They travelled to the East, walking for about a month. Finally, they arrived at land's end. They tossed their baggage over the end and they, too, disappeared beyond earth's edge. Down, down, down the Indians dropped for a while, before starting upward again toward the sky. For a long time they travelled westward. At last, they came to a lodge where lived an old, old woman. "Tell me, for whom are you looking?" she asked feebly. "We are on our way to see the Great Spirit Above," they replied. "It is not possible to see him now," she said. "You must stay here for a while first." That night the five Seminole Indian men strolled a little distance from the old woman's lodge, where they encountered a group of angels robed in white and wearing wings. They were playing a ball game the men recognized as one played by the Seminoles. Two of the men decided they would like to remain and become angels. The other three preferred to return to earth. Then to their surprise, the Great Spirit appeared and said, "So be it!" A large cooking pot was placed on the fire. When the water was boiling, the two Seminoles who wished to stay were cooked! When only their bones were left, the Great Spirit removed them from the pot, and put their bones back together again. He then draped them with a white cloth and touched them with his magic wand. The Great Spirit brought the two Seminole men back to life! They wore beautiful white wings and were called men-angels. "What do you three men wish to do?" asked the Great Spirit. "If we may, we prefer to return to our Seminole camp on earth," replied the three Seminoles. "Gather your baggage together and go to sleep at once," directed the Great Spirit. Later, when the three Seminole men opened their eyes, they found themselves safe at home again in their own Indian camp. "We are happy to return and stay earthbound. We hope never to venture skyward again in search of other mysteries," they reported to the Chief of the Seminoles. www.indigenouspeople.net/menvisit.htm
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 13:54:59 GMT -5
Creation Story Six Nations - Haudenosaunee
Long, long ago, one of the Spirits of the Sky World came down and looked at the earth. As he traveled over it, he found it beautiful, and so he created people to live on it. Before returning to the sky, he gave them names, called the people all together, and spoke his parting words:
"To the Mohawks, I give corn," he said. "To the patient Oneidas, I give the nuts and the fruit of many trees. To the industrious Senecas, I give beans. To the friendly Cayugas, I give the roots of plants to be eaten. To the wise and eloquent Onondagas, I give grapes and squashes to eat and tobacco to smoke at the camp fires."
Many other things he told the new people. Then he wrapped himself in a bright cloud and went like a swift arrow to the Sun. There his return caused his Brother Sky Spirits to rejoice.
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 13:55:35 GMT -5
Creation Story Yukaghir - Yukaghir
When the Creator created the earth, the bear was made the master of all the beasts. The wolf, the fox, and the wolverene paid homage to him. But the wild reindeer refused to obey him, and ran about free, as before. One day the Forest-Owner was hunting five reindeer-does; and one doe, in running, brought forth a fawn. The Forest-Owner caught it and wanted to devour it. The Fawn said, "Please give me a respite. My flesh is too lean. Let me grow up to be a one-year-old."--"All right," said the Forest-Owner, and he let him go.
After a year the Forest-Owner found the fawn, and wanted to devour it; but the fawn said once more, "Do not eat me now! Let me rather grow a little and be a two-year-old."--"All right," said the Forest-Owner, and he let him go. Another year passed, and the reindeer fawn had new antlers, as hard as iron and as sharp as spears. Then the Forest-Owner found the fawn and wanted to devour it. He said, "This time I am going to eat you up."--"Do!" said the fawn. The Forest-Owner drew his knife and wanted to stab the fawn. "No," said the fawn, "such a death is too cruel and too hard. Please grasp my antlers and wrench off my head." The Forest-Owner assented, and grasped the fawn's antlers. Then the fawn gored him and pierced his belly through, so that the intestines fell out and the Forest-Owner died. The fawn sought his mother. "Oh, you are still alive! I thought you were dead."--"No," said the fawn, "I killed the Forest-Owner, and I am the chief of the reindeer." Then the bear sent a fox to the fawn. The fox said, "All the beasts pay homage to the bear, and he wants you to do the same."--"No," said the fawn, "I killed the Forest-Owner, I also am a chief."
After that they prepared for war. The bear called together all those with claws and teeth,--the fox, the wolverene, the wolf, the ermine. The reindeer-fawn called together all those with hoofs and antlers,--the reindeer, the elk, the mountain-sheep. Then they fought. The bear and the reindeer-fawn had a single fight. The fawn pierced the bear through with its antlers of iron. Then it stood still and felt elated. But its mother said, "'There is no reason to feel elated. Your death is at hand." Just as she said this, a wolf sprang up from behind, caught the fawn by the throat and killed it.
Because the reindeer-fawn gored the Forest-Owner to death, no reindeer dies a natural death. It lives on until a wolf, creeping up from behind opens its throat and kills it.
Told by Innocent Karyakin, a Tundra Yukaghir man, on the western tundra of the Kolyma country, winter of 1895.
Footnotes 19:2 Cf. Bogoras, "Chukchee Materials," No. 32, 131. Tales of Yukaghir, Lamut, and Russianized Natives of Eastern Siberia
by Waldemar Bogoras [1918]
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 13:56:01 GMT -5
Creation Story - Tewa
Way back in the distant past, the ancestors of humans were living down below in a world under the earth. They weren't humans yet, they lived in darkness, behaving like bugs.
Now there was a Great Spirit watching over everything; some people say he was the sun. He saw how things were down under the earth, so he sent his messenger, Spider Old Woman, to talk to them. She said, "You creatures, the Sun Spirit doesn't want you living like this. He is going to transform you into something better, and I will lead you to another world."
When they came out on the surface of the earth, that's when they became humans. In the journeys that followed, they were looking for a place of harmony where they could follow good teachings and a good way of life.
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 14:04:15 GMT -5
Creation A Yokut Tale - Yokut
A Great Flood had occurred upon Earth long, long ago. While Earth was still covered with water, there were no living creatures upon the land. Then out of the sky one day glided an enormous Eagle with a black Crow riding upon its back, searching for a place to light.
Around and around Eagle flew until he discovered a projecting tree stump, or what appeared to be a stump, upon which he landed to rest. There was a home at last upon the flat surface, which was amply large enough for Eagle and Crow to roost upon. From here, they surveyed the greenish gray water as far as they could see. The sky was a gorgeous bright blue with a few white drifting clouds, occasionally swirled by a passing breeze. All seemed serene to Eagle and Crow.
Small fish were visible below the water, sometimes leaping out of the sea playfully. Hunger caused Eagle and Crow to swoop down, catching a meal for themselves from time to time. Soon a game developed between the two birds to see which one would be the winner in the fish-catching contest. Upon their return to the stump, however, they always shared the reward.
Because of Eagle's great size and wingspan, he soared to great heights and surveyed widely, as the two birds often flew in opposite directions exploring for land. But no land did they find. No other flying creatures did they see. But they always returned to their home base on the tree stump. Between them, they wondered "How can we possibly think of a way to make land?"
"We know we cannot dive deep enough to find dirt, and the fish are of no help except to provide food." Day after day these scenes were repeated, exploring in search of land or wondering how to create land, only to return to their stump and catch more fish.
One morning soon thereafter and much to their surprise, a Duck was swimming around and around their stump. Occasionally, it dived deep in the water, rose to the surface chewing small fish, twisting its head from side to side trying to swallow its meal. One time, Duck emerged with more mud than fish in its mouth. Eagle and Crow bird-talked excitedly about this! "Can Duck possibly bring up enough mud for us to build land?" they wondered. How could they let Duck know that mud was what they needed most?
An idea occurred to Eagle, which he bird-talked to Crow, "If we supply fish for Duck, maybe he will bring up more mud than fish." By trial and error, the two birds caught fish for Duck, placing them at the edge of the stump, until Duck learned that the fish were for him in exchange for mud!
When Duck appeared on the surface after a deep dive, Eagle and Crow brushed off the mud from Duck's bill and his body with their wings. Progress was slow but steady. Gradually, Eagle had a pile of mud on his side of the stump and Crow had a similar pile on his side. Each placed fish on his own side for Duck, who now responded by carrying more and more mud to Eagle and Crow. This became a great game of fish-and-mud exchange.
Duck worked very hard, consequently he was always hungry. The birds were surprised at how large each one's mud pile grew every day. In bird talk they said, "Duck is helping us to make a new world. This we will share equally."
Occasionally, Eagle and Crow flew toward the horizon, exploring for any new signs of land. But they returned with nothing new to report; however, they noticed a slight lowering of water around the tree stump.
"Surely, the flood must be coming to an end," Crow and Eagle bird-talked. Each day they watched for a change in the waterline. Each day their piles of mud seemed higher and higher. Faithful Duck kept up his good work as Eagle and Crow caught fish for him and scraped off mud from him for each side of the new world.
Another time, Eagle flew high and far in search of dry land, not returning until late. The sun set and darkness enveloped his world on the stump. Next morning, to Eagle's surprise, he saw how much more mud he had acquired, and he was pleased. But after looking across at Crow's mud pile, Eagle was astounded to see that Crow had given himself twice as much mud while Eagle was away. "Was this Crow's idea of sharing the new world equally?" accused Eagle.
Of course, they quarreled all that day and the next over Crow's unfairness. But the following day, they went back to work making their new land. Eagle decided that he must catch up. He caught two fish for Duck and put them in his usual place. Duck responded by bringing up mud twice to Eagle in exchange for his two fish. All three worked very hard for many, many moons.
Gradually, Eagle's half of the new world became taller and taller than Crow's half, even though Crow seemed to work just as hard as Eagle. Duck was faithful to his task, never tiring in his effort to supply mud. Of course, Duck continued to give Eagle twice as much mud for his two fish. Crow never seemed to notice why Eagle's half became higher and higher than his half.
One morning, as the sun rose brightly, the two birds looked down through the water and saw what appeared to be land!
"So that is where Duck finds the mud," they bird-talked. They were pleased to see that the water was subsiding. How they hoped that soon they would be high and dry on their new world.
But all was not so easy, for that very night lightning flashed across the waters and thunder rolled and rolled from one horizon to the other followed by a heavy, drenching rain. Eagle and Crow sought shelter in holes they dug into the sides of their mud piles. All night long the rain continued to fall, washing away much of the new world into the sea.
As the rain stopped and the sun rose, Eagle and Duck looked out upon the waters and saw an arc of many colors reaching from one edge of the horizon across the sky to the other horizon. This brilliant display held their eyes in wonderment. What did it mean? They marveled at how long the colors lingered in the sky. Eagle flew toward the scene for a closer look, returning when the arc disappeared.
In bird talk, Eagle and Crow decided that the storm of the night before must have been a clearing shower. They began their land-building project again, hoping that Duck would resume his work as mud-carrier. Soon the sun's rays burned strong and hot, packing the mud until it was hard. Duck appeared and the team of three continued to build the two halves of the new world.
Day by day, the waters subsided and new land began to show above the waterline but far, far below the new creation by Eagle and Crow. Eagle's half became taller and taller and hard packed by the hot sun. Crow's share of the new world was still great, but never could become as large as Eagle's half of the new world.
In retelling this creation story, Yokut tribal historians always claim that Eagle's half became the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains. They also tell how Crow's half became known as the Coast Mountain Range. Yokut historians end their tale by saying that people everywhere honor the brave and strong Eagle, while Crow is accorded a lesser place because of his unfair disposition displayed during the creation of the new world by Eagle and Crow.
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Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 14:05:07 GMT -5
Creation Wyandotte - Wyandotte
There were people living in the sky. Their patch of corn was just large enough to yield a meal a day. A woman whose occupation it was to gather the daily harvest, cut down the corn stalks, one day, and brought them home. She had thus wasted the corn harvest. That is why the men, being angry at her, cast her down through a hole in the sky.
She fell through the air. There was nothing but water everywhere. No land was in sight. Wild geese, swimming about there, beheld something in the sky. The Gander said, "Let us go there; something is falling from above!" So there they went together; and the woman fell upon their backs, without even touching the water. After she had remained a long time there, the Geese said, "We are tired!" The Gander answered, "Someone else should now take care of her."
The Big Turtle then swam to the surface of the water, and took the woman upon her back. The Toad soon came up, with just a small bit of dirt. She gave it to the woman and said, "Just put some of it all around the Turtle's shell, in the water." So the woman did; and then the land began to grow around her. Quite soon it had become quite large, and the woman did not need the turtle any longer to carry her. She lived on the island.
In those days the children were not born as they are today. Whenever a child was desired, the people had just to think about it, and it was found anywhere, in the hollow trees, maybe. The woman on the island went out to chop wood. There she found two children, both boys. The first one she picked up she considered the elder. The next one was the younger brother.
The boys grew fast. After a while they were big enough to go out hunting and kill birds. Their mother made bows and arrows for them.
The woman at once found out that there was a great difference in the actions of the children. The younger one was quite mean. And, as they grew tip, it became more and more evident that one was good and the other bad. While the Evil One was busy with evil deeds, his elder brother was always bringing forth things that were good. The younger one would tear down the good things made by his brother. The Good One made the sugar-trees, the sap of which was pure syrup, running easily from the tapped trees. Only a little boiling made it into sugar. The evil brother poured water into the trees, so that there was no more syrup, but only sweet water, as we now find it.
It is only after long and patient boiling that we now can reduce it to syrup.
Now the Good One: created people, that is, just two persons. As he had also brought forth fruit trees, the Creator spoke to the first man and woman, saying, "You must not touch the fruit of this tree!"
But his younger brother said to the woman, 'Why can't you eat the fruit of that tree?" She answered, "The Creator has forbidden it." The Evil One retorted, "If you eat the fruit of the tree, you shall be wise." Then the serpent, made by the Good One, but rendered mean by his younger brother, came to the woman and said, "You should eat the fruit of the tree." Then the woman was induced to eat the fruit, and, in turn, she induced the man to taste it. They both found its taste very good. It had not yet been swallowed by the man when the Creator appeared. "What are you doing?" asked he. There was no answer. As they were ashamed, they ran off and hid themselves. This was the garden of Eden. The Creator said, "You shall have to work hard for your bread; and then you shall die."
From that time, the people began to sin, just as they have done ever since. There was neither death nor sorrow in the early days. Now the people are wicked, and there is nothing but trouble everywhere.
The two brothers were the good mind and the bad mind.
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Post by Okwes on Jun 3, 2007 15:27:11 GMT -5
Creation Story - Crow
Old Man at the Beginning
At the beginning of the world, there was nothing but water. It was dark in the world, and no one saw the water of the world. Then the Old Man of the Crow People came into the world, and he looked all around and said, "Is there nothing in this world but water?"
Off in the distance, Old Man saw that there were two little ducks swimming about. These ducks had red eyes. Old Man called them to him. They came swimming, paddling in the world of water.
Old Man said to them, "Is there nothing in this world but water?"
The elder duck answered, "We have never seen anything in this world but water, but we think that there may be something down under the water. We feel it in our hearts."
"Dive down, Younger Duck," said Old Man, and the younger of the little ducks dove deep under the water, looking for the bottom. He was gone a long time, and Old Man said, "Oh, I am afraid Younger Duck has drowned."
"No," said the Elder Duck, "we are able to hold our breath for a long time. He will come back up." At about that time, Younger Duck came up with something in his bill. It was a root.
"If there is a root," said Old Man, "then there must be earth as well. Dive down Elder Duck, and see if you find some earth."
The elder duck dove deep, and was gone for a very long time. When he came up, he had a ball of mud in his bill.
"This is what I have been looking for," said Old Man. He took the root and put it in the ball of wet earth, and blew three times on it. Once he blew, twice he blew, and again he blew on the ball of earth. The ball began to grow and fill the world and push the water aside. It grew until there was a great land, with many plants and animals living on it.
The ducks, who live in water, on land, and in the sky, brought up the earth, and Old Man made the world for the Crow People.
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