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
As the voice of the wise man ceased, sweet strains of music from the air
burst on the ears of the multitude. The whole sky appeared to be filled
with melody; and while all eyes were directed to catch glimpses of the
sights, and enjoy strains of the celestial music that filled the sky,
Hiawatha was seen, seated in his snow-white canoe, amid the air,
_rising, rising_ with every choral chant that burst out. As he rose
the sound of the music became more soft and faint, until he vanished amid
the summer clouds, and the melody ceased. Thus terminated the labors and
cares of the long-cherished memory of Ta-ren-ya-wa-gon.
I will now resume the history of the sixth and last family, the Tuscarora
On-gwe-hon-wa, that were left at the Neuse river, or Gan-ta-no. Here they
increased in numbers, valor and skill, and in all knowledge of the arts
necessary in forest life. The country was wide and covered with dense
wilderness, large rivers and lakes, which gave shelter to many fierce
animals and monsters which beset their pathways and kept them in dread.
Now the Evil Spirit also plagued them with monstrous visitations. They
were often induced to change their locations; sometimes from fear of
enemies and sometimes from epidemics, or some strange visitations.
I will now relate a few of the monsters that plagued them: The first
enemy that appeared to question their power or disturb their peace was
the fearful phenomenon of Ko-nea-rah-yah-neh, or the flying heads. The
heads were enveloped in beard and hair, flaming like fire; they were of
monstrous size, and shot through the air with the speed of meteors. Human
power was not adequate to cope with them. The priests pronounced them a
flowing power of some mysterious influence, and it remained with the
priests alone to expel them by their magic power.
[Illustration: Flying head and woman sitting by the fire]
Drum and rattle and enchantments were deemed more effective than arrows
or clubs. One evening, after they had been plagued a long time with
fearful visitations, the flying head came to the door of a lodge occupied
by a single female and her dog. She was sitting composedly before the
fire roasting acorns, which, as they became cooked, she deliberately took
from the fire and ate. Amazement seized the flying head, who put out two
huge black paws from under his streaming beard. Supposing the woman to be
eating live coals he withdrew, and from that time he came no more among
them.
And they were also invaded by a still more fearful enemy, the Ot-nea-yar-
heh, or Stonish Giants. They were a powerful tribe from the wilderness,
tall, fierce and hostile, and resistance to them was vain. They defeated
and overwhelmed an army which was sent out against them, and put the
whole country in fear. These giants were not only of great strength, but
they were cannibals, devouring men, women and children in their inroads.
[Illustration: Stonish giant chasing indians.]
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account