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
"Go you and tell my brother Sehinom Chabatu to come and help me, and
to come early in the morning. Go also to Waiti Nomken, a place on the
upper Bohema Mem, to two women Kawas Loimis; let them know that we are
fighting. On this side of their house lives Chir Chuma, a lame man;
let him know. Opposite Pas Puisono lives Katsi Herit. Tell him to come
early to-morrow. A short distance from Tsarau Heril lives Wik Herit.
Tell him to be here. These are all great men, and each will bring his
people. There is a man who lives at Kilichepin Kenharas. Kilichepis is
his name. Tell him to come with his people. There is a man who lives
at Sudi Sawul. His name is Tuichi Kelis. Tell this man that I expect
him early with his people. All these big men will help us greatly."
Norbis sent messengers to his friends. They went southeast, south and
southwest. He sent southeast to Saias Saias Herit and south for Hus
Herit. He sent for Karili Herit; for Tcutuhl Herit.
Next morning about daylight the friends of the Tede Wiu brothers came.
All came who had been called, each bringing his own people. Friends
came to Norbis in the same way; none of those invited failed on either
side.
When all Tede Wiu's friends had come, the elder brother confined
Norwan as on the first day. He bound the house all around with mempak.
They started then, and crossed the river with many people. Chir Chuma
had come. He was so lame that he could not walk, and had two men to
carry him. These were the two Siriwit brothers (whirlwinds). (The
whirlwinds were people at that time.)
The Siriwits carried Chir Chuma on two sticks. He sat on the sticks.
One brother held the sticks behind, and the other in front. They
moved around with great speed, and travelled as easily on water as on
land. When the two brothers had crossed the river, they saw two more
lame men, one coming from the north, Chali Dokos: he was carried by
Wainot Herit. The other was Sawi Herit; he was coming from the west,
carried by Kichinot Herit.
After Tede Wiu's forces had crossed the river, the Wul Wuhl brothers
came from Norbis, and said,--
"There are many people coming from the south with Norbis to-day. You
will have a heavy battle."
Sehinom saw the southern people coming, and said to the elder Tede
Wiu,--
"My brother, I will be with you all the time. I will guard you."
Three of Tede Wiu's men, Wik Herit, Tuichi Kelis, and Kilichepis,
said,--
"We will go together. We will go to the eastern side, near the river,
and take our people with us."
When going they turned to the Wul Wuhl brothers or Norbis's men, and
said,--
"Tell Saias Saias Herit, Koip Herit, and Tsutsu Herit to come toward
the river. We will fight them there."
"I will," said the elder Wul Wuhl; and turning to Chir Chuma, he said:
"There is a man with a net coming from the south, Karili Herit; he
will fight with you."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account