Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora IndiansJohnson, Elias
History
Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora Indians
Johnson, Elias
Iroquois Indians; Tuscarora Indians
The company advanced some distance up the river of Skawnatawty (Hudson).
The Holder of the Heavens directed the first family to make their
residence near the bank of the river, and the family was named Tehawrogeh
(that is, a speech divided) now Mohawk. Their language soon changed. The
company then turned and went towards the sun-setting, and traveled about
two days and a half, then came to a creek, which was named Kawnatawteruh
(that is pineries). The second family was directed to make their
residence near the creek; and the family was named Nehawretahgo (that is
big tree) now Oneida. Their language was changed likewise. The company
continued to proceed toward the sun-setting under the direction of the
Holder of the Heavens. The third family was directed to make their
residence on a mountain, named Onondaga (now Onondaga), and the family
was named Seuhnowhahtah (that is, carrying the name.) Their language also
changed. The rest of the company continued their journey towards the sun-
setting. The fourth family was directed to make their residence near a
large lake, named Goyogoh (that is a mountain rising from water) now
Cayuga, and the family was named Sho-nea-na-we-to-wah (that is a great
pipe). Their language was altered. The rest of the company kept their
course towards the sun-setting. The fifth family was directed to make
their residence near a high mountain, situated south of Canandaigua Lake,
which was named Tehow-nea-nyo-hent (that is possessing a door) now
Seneca. Their language was also changed. The sixth, and last family, went
on their journey toward the sun-setting, until they touched the bank of
the great lake, which was named Kan-ha-gwa-rah-ka (that is a Cape) now
Erie, and then went toward, between the midway and sun-setting, and
traveled a great distance, when they came to a large river, which was
named O-nah-we-yo-ka (that is a principal stream) now Mississippi. The
people discovered a grapevine lying across the river, by which a part of
the people went over, but while they were crossing the vine broke. They
were divided, and became enemies, to those that were over the river in
consequence of which, they were obliged to abandon the journey. Those
that went over the river were finally lost and forgotten from the memory
of those that remained on the eastern banks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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