The People are coming!
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Hello Reader, I've been working away on my Medicine Man Files series (Book 1 I hope will be released some time this winter) and the research for these books has required me to read a whole lot of indigenous mythology from all over North America. I'm going to share a few of these myths with you over the next couple of months. The Secwepemc (Shuswap) creation myth is one that will feature heavily in my novels. While there are a lot of slightly different versions of it, here is the one I've settled on: The world always existed, but it was gradually expanded and worked on by the Old One, the first great chief. In the First Age there were no people as we know them, but rather a race of beings that had both animal and people characteristics. Some of them had great powers.
One day, the Old One called a meeting and told the animal people and land spirits that they had to get ready and prepare the world for he was about to bring the People to live on it. He asked Coyote to help him transform the land and make it safe. Deer volunteered to give himself as food for the People so they had something to eat when they arrived. And all the other animal people and plant spirits chipped in and did what they could to welcome the newcomers.
Eventually, after the People were settled in their new home, the Old One and the animal people went to live in the Over World, the Under World, or the Underwater world. But since many spirits, some good, some monsters, remained, the Old One told Coyote to stay and finish transforming the world and to look after the People.
After many years, Coyote too left. Some say he disappeared to the east and some day he might return if needed.
So, the hero of this story seems to be Coyote. However, he is a trickster character and as we'll see next month, he often teaches the People how to live a good life by serving as an example of what NOT to do. Until then, take care out there... Dan danredwater.com Here is something from another author you might enjoy: |
Dan Redwater
Like tales of the supernatural set in small towns with quirky characters? Me too!
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