Post by Okwes on Jun 10, 2008 11:46:33 GMT -5
Legend of the Seasons - Nez Perce
Taken from Tales of the Nimipoo - From the Land of the Nez Perce Indians, Eleanor B. Heady, 1969
When the clouds from the North east meet the clouds from the southwest mingle as if fighting when Youn (cold) is not so strong as Loo ki ye wah then a Chinook wind prevails.
A long time ago the five sons of Youn (Halp-Halp) and the five sons of Lo ki ye wah (li kits e i) met and fought a long time - The children of Lo ki ye wah were all killed but one daughter. She was with child, she retreated toward the south, there she lived in her little tent, her child was born, (a son). She cared for him well constantly telling him of the enmity between Youn (the cold) and Lo ki ye wah (heat). when that son grew up he came as far north as this (eastern) side of the Dalles. There he met the grandchildren of Youn. There was a frozen sea there then, they fought on the ice. Youn got wooden vessels of grease and spread it on the ice. Lo ki ye wah poured warm water on the ice. They still fought although the ice was crashing under them.
The ki yote (boss of all) appears upon the scene and cut the throat of Lo ki ye saying from this time onward it would not always be cold, neither always warm. It should be part of the time warm and a part of the time cold. So the seasons were settled. This myth is so well known that in spring time when the high winds on the mountains prevail the people say Youn is not killed yet the fight is going on. Lo ki ye wah is strong and will conquer. In spring time in fall Youn grows the stronger. This battle was fought just before the people came. The animals have been silent ever since the people came. Chinook was a people of the warm wind.
Taken from Tales of the Nimipoo - From the Land of the Nez Perce Indians, Eleanor B. Heady, 1969
When the clouds from the North east meet the clouds from the southwest mingle as if fighting when Youn (cold) is not so strong as Loo ki ye wah then a Chinook wind prevails.
A long time ago the five sons of Youn (Halp-Halp) and the five sons of Lo ki ye wah (li kits e i) met and fought a long time - The children of Lo ki ye wah were all killed but one daughter. She was with child, she retreated toward the south, there she lived in her little tent, her child was born, (a son). She cared for him well constantly telling him of the enmity between Youn (the cold) and Lo ki ye wah (heat). when that son grew up he came as far north as this (eastern) side of the Dalles. There he met the grandchildren of Youn. There was a frozen sea there then, they fought on the ice. Youn got wooden vessels of grease and spread it on the ice. Lo ki ye wah poured warm water on the ice. They still fought although the ice was crashing under them.
The ki yote (boss of all) appears upon the scene and cut the throat of Lo ki ye saying from this time onward it would not always be cold, neither always warm. It should be part of the time warm and a part of the time cold. So the seasons were settled. This myth is so well known that in spring time when the high winds on the mountains prevail the people say Youn is not killed yet the fight is going on. Lo ki ye wah is strong and will conquer. In spring time in fall Youn grows the stronger. This battle was fought just before the people came. The animals have been silent ever since the people came. Chinook was a people of the warm wind.
