One day the wife said to her husband, “Let me go back to my people for a little while. He began his journey across the sky very early so he could hurry back to his wife. Tahvah worked more regularly and willing now and he talked no more of quitting his work. One day he said to Soonungwuv, “My wife shines bright like me, but I wish she were round like me too.” So Soonungwuv, turned his wife into a big round ball. Tahvah was very happy now and proud of his wife. He then took her to Tahvah, and she became his wife. He took her away and turned her skin into gold and rubbed it until it shone brightly, and she was very beautiful. There was a maiden among them who had no husband, so the chiefs brought her to Soonungwuv. The beings all agreed they would help find a wife for Tahvah. Soonungwuv explained that Tahvah was lonesome, he had no wife to love him and was lonesome most of the time. They told him how they felt and asked why the sun does not come out longer. Soonungwuv (coyote) heard of this gathering and went to talk to them. The people became angry and gathered to meet. Tahvah the sun only came out when he wanted he did not feel he had to work so hard and just wanted to give up all together. The beings (animals and humans) slept most of the time, and when they were hungry could not find food to hunt in the dark. It is a day of giving, of life, of love, for without the sun and moon we would be in misery just as our legend tells us.Īt one time our world was filled with darkness. It is a special day to reflect on what love means to you, to remove any anger you may have and do a deed of kindness and an act of love. There is no taboo by looking at the eclipse other than watching the sun and moon come together in the embrace of making love. Southern Paiute (Nevada and Arizona) “The eclipse is a reflection of love for the Nuwu (Southern Paiute). National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Shiprock, Navajo Reservation San Juan County New Mexico USA, 24/2963. They told me to pray with cornmeal, respect the silence, and accept the transformation coming.”ĭavid Lee, Diné (Navajo) 1968, Sun With Rays. Those in our tribe who feel fear have done something wrong. I was told that they are a time of transformation and not to fear them. I asked my elders recently of any taboos with eclipses. The Sun Dagger at Chaco Canyon is a prime example of the science of my Puebloan ancestors. They marked Halley's comet, we watched the sun, and we predicted eclipses. Laguna–Acoma Pueblo (New Mexico): “My Chacoan and Mesa Verde ancestors were astronomers. The correspondent’s Native affiliation (and where he or she is living now) appears ahead of their quote. Part of the museum’s mission is to provide a forum for Native people’s voices, so we went to the Internet to ask, “Does your tribe have any beliefs or protocols concerning the eclipse?” Here are some replies from the original 2017 publication with new responses added. The National Museum of American Indian has received numerous inquiries concerning the upcoming eclipse. 81-year old twins Chuck and Margo Real Bird (Crow) observing the 2017 eclipse during the Crow Fair in Montana.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |