The Plesiosaur Site - Creation Myths

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23. Creation Story of Southern California Indians
(As related by the mountain-dwelling Indians of the interior)
Creation_Story_of_Southern_California_Indians.

BEFORE THIS WORLD WAS, there existed one above, which signified the heavens; and another below which represented the earth. They were brother and sister. The heaven and earth were not as they are now, but of another nature.

All below was dark, without sun, moon, or stars. The brother brought the light, which was the sun, to the sister. He wanted to take her as his wife. She resisted and desired he would leave her in peace. But in time they were wedded. The first fruits of their union were earth and sand which produced rocks, stones, and flints for arrows. Then came trees and shrubs, followed by herbs and grass, then the animals.

Eventually one was born called Ouiot, an animated being. The father and mother of Ouiot were not mortals. Ouiot had children, both male and female. They were not Indians or rational beings. The children of Ouiot and his partner were like their parents, a species of animals different from any that inhabit the earth today. Their subsistence was a kind of white clay which they ate and also used as ornament and put upon their heads. Ouiot became king or "first captain" of this first family.

Captain Ouiot's descendants multiplied and the first born of his mother was the earth, which increased in size, extending south. (It was the general belief of the Indians that they originated in the north.) As they increased, the earth also increased.

When Captain Ouiot became old, his eldest vassals formed a conspiracy to destroy him. They said he was too old to govern because he could not keep up with their wants and needs. A consultation was held to determine the method of execution. It was decided upon poison. They mixed a potion and gave it to him. After he drank the beverage, he became sick and left his mountain home, going to the seashore where at that time there was no sea. His mother learned of her son's danger and mixed an antidote for the poison in a large shell. She placed it in the sun to ferment. Coyote, attracted by the fragrance of the fermenting antidote, came and overturned it. Ouiot died, but he told them he would return to live with them again.

They could not decide what to do with his body, whether to burn it or inter it in the ground. The Elders decided to burn the body upon a pile made for the occasion. Fearing that Coyote would come and eat Ouiot, they burnt Coyote's retreat. Coyote escaped and presented himself at the place of sacrifice and declared he would die with his captain. Coyote suddenly leaped on the body and tore a piece of Ouiot's stomach off and ate it. The remainder of the body was consumed by the fire. The name of Coyote was Eyacque or "second captain." From that time on he was known as Eno, meaning thief and cannibal.

After burning the body, another council was called to make provision for collecting grain, seeds, acorn, deer, rabbits, squirrels, etc. During these consultations, they beheld for several days a spectre unlike themselves. It appeared and disappeared, sometimes from one direction and sometimes from another. Though afraid, they determined to speak to it. They wanted to know if it was Ouiot, their Captain. "I am not Ouiot," said he, "but a captain of greater power, and my name is Chinigchinich. My habitation is above."

Chinigchinich signifies "all powerful" or "almighty," and the Indians believe he is ever present and in all places and can see all things, but no one can see him. The children of Ouiot told Chinigchinich they no longer wanted to eat the clay of the earth; they wanted to eat seeds of the fields and flesh of animals. So Chinigchinich endowed some of them with the powers to cause it to rain, to influence the dew, to produce acorns, create rabbits, ducks and geese, and deer. Each had his own occupation.

Chinigchinich then formed man, both male and female, out of white clay found upon the borders of a lake. These are the Indians of the present day. When Ouiot's people saw the Indians that were created by Chinigchinich, they disappeared, no one knows where. It is believed that there are no descendants of Ouiot in existence, and Ouiot has never returned as promised.

Chinigchinich is known by three different names: Saor, Quaguar, and Tobet. Each name signifies him at different times. Saor is Chinigchinich when he is unable to dance; Quaguar is Chinigchinich when he is able to dance; Tobet is Chinigchinich when he dances enrobed in a dress composed of feathers with a crown of the same upon his head, and his face is painted black and red.

One time while dancing in this costume, Chinigchinich was taken up into heaven where the stars are located. Before he left, he ordered that the Indians should use this mode of dress in their grand feasts -- an observance regarded to this day.

Some Indians, however, do claim to be descendants of those that were endowed with the great powers. They are frequently consulted regarding harvests, receiving in return for their advice a gift such as either money or clothing. In fact, the result of the harvests depends upon the maintenance given to these sorcerers and upon supplying them with their necessities. To offend them would be to destroy all their productions of flesh and grain.

Chinigchinich told the Indians, "Him who obeyeth me not, or believeth not in my teachings, I will chastise. To him, I will send bears to bite, serpents to sting, misfortunes, infirmities, and death." He taught them laws to observe, as well as rites and ceremonies.

His first commandment was to build a temple to pay him adoration, offer sacrifices and worship. The Indians consider Chinigchinich to be God. They say he has neither father nor mother; they know not his origin. He is a friend to the good, and chastises the wicked.

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