Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of MankindCurtin, Jeremiah
Religion
Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of Mankind
Curtin, Jeremiah
Creation -- Mythology; Indian mythology -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore
Now she took acorn mould, green and brown, put it on one of the Tsudi
girls. She took yósoü leaves from her staff (the leaves are like mice
ears), and put them on the girl for ears. She took more acorn mould,
rubbed and rolled it out like a little stick, and made a tail. When
one Tsudi girl was dressed nicely, she said, "Let all the others be
like this one;" and that moment they were like her.
"Now, sister," said they, "we are ready."
Norwan started, and all the Tsudi girls and Patkilis boys went with
her. When they came to the door of the sweat-house, they looked around
and saw that all the trees were full of fresh, beautiful acorns; the
top of the house was covered with them. There were piles and piles of
acorns inside and around the sweat-house, and a little way off a
great many trees were loaded with fruit.
From Olelpanti they could see down into Hlihli Puihlutton. All persons
who had come were inside. Norwan looked in and saw many people, all
looking toward the door.
"See Norwan coming," said they. "She is beautiful,--oh, she is
beautiful!"
Kopus Kiemila was on the south side, near the door. He had five sacks
of acorns near him. He was singing over them, singing about health and
soundness. When he saw Norwan, he said,--
"Come in; come in, my brother's daughter. You are one of the last. All
have come but two."
She went beyond Kopus to a seat. A young woman who was sitting near
rose and said,--
"Come, my sister; come and sit with me."
This was Hlihli Loimis. Her brother Hlihli Herit stood always on top
of Kopus's house and called, "Hai! Hai!" which means "Come! Come!" and
beckoned with his hand for people to enter.
Norwan sat down at the south side of the door, and all the Tsudi and
Patkilis children took their places behind her.
"You are almost the last to come," said Hlihli Loimis. "Look at the
north side of the house. See how many people are there. See the light;
that is Kaukau Herit. He is white and shining; light beams from him."
"Now," said Kopus, "all you people from the north, my sons-in-law and
my daughters-in-law, make ready to dance."
The northern people rose at his call and danced. Kaukau Herit danced.
When he rose and moved, it was as when a light is brought into a dark
place. He danced five times and sat down.
"Now, my sons-in-law," said Kopus, "sit back and look on. My
sons-in-law from the west, you will dance now; dance you, Katsi Herit
and Sedit of Sonomyai, and dance you, my daughters-in-law."
The western people danced; Sedit, Boki, all danced. While they were
dancing, they dropped beautiful shells. These shells fell from them as
snow falls from the sky, and the whole floor was covered with shells,
just as mountains in winter are covered with snow.
"Now sit back and look on," said Kopus. The western people sat down.
"My sons-in-law and my daughters-in-law," called Kopus to the southern
people, "make ready to dance."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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