Friday, 5 May 2017

Hopi Summer Bird Story



In the beginning all was water except for an island in the West where Hard Beings Woman lived. In the East was Father Sun. He was her father and she ws his mother.



They said, "We shall own all things together."
Then Hard Beings Woman said, "Now let us create something for you."



She got out her bundle which held all sorts of skins and feathers. She added her pieces of her cuticles. She had everything to form birds- except the breath of life.



She covered the forms with a cloth. She and Father Sun took hold of the cloth corners and swayed it four times whilst she sang. The heard the chirping of differnet birds.




she pulled back the cloth and the birds flew out. They retuned to greet Hard Beings Woman and Father Sun.




"You shall own these,"  Hard Beings Woman said to Father Sun. He put them in a quartz jar and closed it


In summer he releases them to gladden tillers of the soil and the Earth Mother who created them.

One of the most interesting exhibits at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre.

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