While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
The
Tuscarora tradition opens with the notion that there
were originally two worlds, or regions of space, that is an
upper and lower world. The upper world was inhabited by beings
resembling the human race. And the lower world by monsters,
moving on the surface and in the waters, which is in darkness.
When the human species were transferred below, and the lower
sphere was about to be rendered fit for their residence; the act
of their transference is by these ideas, that a female who began
to descend into the lower world, which is a region of darkness,
waters, and monsters, she was received on the back of a
tortoise, where she gave birth to male twins, and there she
expired. The shell of this tortoise expanded into a continent,
which, in the English language, is called "island," and is named
by the Tuscaroras, Yowahnook. One of the children was called
Got-ti-gah-rah-quast, or good mind, the other, Got-ti-gah-rak-senh,
or bad mind. These two antagonistical principles were at
perpetual variance, it being the law of one to counteract
whatever the other did. They were not, however, men, but gods,
or existences, through whom the Great Spirit, or "Holder of the
Heavens," carried out his purposes.
The first work of Got-ti-gah-rah-quast was to create
the sun out of the head of his dead mother, and the moon and
stars out of the other parts of her body. The light these gave
drove the monsters into the deep waters to hide themselves. He
then prepared the surface of the continent and fitted it for
human habitation, by making it into creeks, rivers, lakes and
plains, and by filling them with the various kinds of animals
and vegetable kingdom. He then formed a man and a woman out of
the earth, gave them life, and called them Ongwahonwd, that is
to say, a real people. Meanwhile the bad mind created mountains,
water-falls, and steeps, caves, reptiles, serpents, apes, and
other objects supposed to be injurious to, or in mockery to
mankind. He made an attempt also to conceal the land animals in
the ground, so as to deprive men of the means of subsistence.
This continued opposition, to the wishes of the Good Mind, who
was perpetually at work, in restoring the effects and
displacements, of the wicked devices of the other, at length led
to a personal combat, of which the time and instrument of battle
were agreed on. They fought two days; the Good Mind using the
deer's horn, and the other, using wild flag leafs, as arms. Got-ti-gah-rah-quast,
or Good Mind, who had chosen the horn, finally prevailed. His
antagonist sunk down into a region of darkness, and became the
Evil Spirit of the world of despair. Got-ti-gah-rah-quast,
having obtained his triumph, retired from the earth.
The earliest tradition that we have of the Iroquois is
as follows: That a company of Ongwahonwa being encamped on the
banks of the St. Lawrence River, where they were invaded by a
nation few in number, but were great giants, called "Ronongwaca."
War after war was brought on by personal encounters and
incidents, and carried on with perfidity and cruelty. They were
delivered at length by the skill and courage of Yatontea, who,
after retreating before them, raised a large body of men and
defeated them, after which they were supposed to be extinct. And
the next they suffered was from the malice, perfidity and lust
of an extraordinary appearing person, who they called That-tea-ro-skeh,
who was finally driven across the St. Lawrence, and come to a
town south of the shores of Lake Ontario, where, however, he
only disguised his intentions, to repeat his cruel and
perfidious deeds. He assassinated many persons, and violated six
virgins. They pointed to him as a fiend in human shape.
In this age of monsters, the country was again invaded
by another monster, which they called Oyahguaharh, supposed to
be some great mammoth, who was furious against men, and
destroyed the lives of many Indian hunters, but he was at length
killed, after a long and severe contest.
A great horned serpent also next appeared on Lake
Ontario who, by means of his poisonous breath, caused disease,
and caused the death of many. At length the old women
congregated, with one accord, and prayed to the Great Spirit
that he would send their grand-father, the Thunder, who would
get to their relief in this, their sore time of trouble, and at
the same time burning tobacco as burned offerings. So finally
the monster was compelled to retire in the deeps of the lake by
thunder bolts. Before this calamity was forgotten another
happened. A blazing star fell into their fort, situated on the
banks of the St. Lawrence, and destroyed the people. Such a
phenomenon caused a great panic and consternation and dread,
which they regarded as ominous of their entire destruction. Not
long after this prediction of the blazing star it was verified.
These tribes, who were held together by feeble ties, fell into
dispute and wars among themselves, which were pursued through a
long period, until they had utterly destroyed each other, and so
reduced their numbers that the lands were again over-run with
wild beasts.
At this period there were six families took refuge in a
large cave in a mountain, where they dwelled for a long time.
The men would come out occasionally to hunt for food. This
mammoth cave was situated at or near the falls of the Oswego
River. Taryenya-wa-gon (Holder of the Heavens) extricated these
six families from this subterraneous bowels and confines of the
mountain. They always looked to this divine messenger, who had
power to assume various shapes, as emergency dictated, as the
friend and patron of their nation.
As soon as they were released he gave them instructions
respecting the mode of hunting, matrimony, worship and many
other things. He warned them against the evil spirit, and gave
them corn, beans, squash, potatoes, tobacco, and dogs to hunt
their game. He bid them go toward the rising of the sun, and he
personally guided them, until they came to a river, which they
named Yehnonanatche (that is going around a mountain,) now
Mohawk, they went down the bank of the river and came to where
it discharges into a great river, running towards the midway
sun, they named it Skaw-nay- taw-ty (that is beyond the pineries)
now Hudson, and went down the banks of the river and touched the
bank of the great water. The company made an encampment at this
place and remained for a while. The people was then of one
language. Some of them went on the banks of the great waters,
towards the midway sun, and never returned. But the company that
remained at the camp returned as they came along the bank of the
river, under the direction of Taryenyawagon (Holder of the
Heavens).
This company were a particular body, which called
themselves of one household. Of these there were six families,
and they entered into an agreement to preserve the chain of
alliance which should not be extinguished under any
circumstance.
The company advanced some distance up the river of
Skawnatawty (Hudson). The Holder of the Heavens directed the
first family to make their residence near the bank of the river,
and the family was named Tehawrogeh (that is, a speech divided)
now
Mohawk. Their language soon changed. The company then
turned and went towards the sun-setting, and traveled about two
days and a half, then came to a creek, which was named
Kawnatawteruh (that is pineries). The second family was directed
to make their residence near the creek; and the family was named
Nehawretahgo (that is big tree) now
Oneida. Their language was changed likewise. The company
continued to proceed toward the sun-setting under the direction
of the Holder of the Heavens. The third family was directed to
make their residence on a mountain, named Onondaga, now
Onondaga, and the family was named Seuhnowhahtah (that
is, carrying the name.) Their language also changed. The rest of
the company continued their journey towards the sun-setting. The
fourth family was directed to make their residence near a large
lake, named Goyogoh (that is a mountain rising from water) now
Cayuga, and the family was named Sho-nea-na-we-to-wah (that is a
great pipe). Their language was altered. The rest of the company
kept their course towards the sun-setting. The fifth family was
directed to make their residence near a high mountain, situated
south of Canandaigua Lake, which was named Tehow-nea-nyo-hent
(that is possessing a door) now
Seneca. Their language was also changed. The sixth, and
last family, went on their journey toward the sun-setting, until
they touched the bank of the great lake, which was named Kan-ha-gwa-rah-ka
(that is a Cape) now
Erie, and then went toward, between the midway and
sun-setting, and traveled a great distance, when they came to a
large river, which was named O-nah-we-yo-ka (that is a principal
stream) now Mississippi. The people discovered a grapevine lying
across the river, by which a part of the people went over, but
while they were crossing the vine broke. They were divided, and
became enemies, to those that were over the river in consequence
of which, they were obliged to abandon the journey. Those that
went over the river were finally lost and forgotten from the
memory of those that remained on the eastern banks.
Ta-ren-ya-wa-go (the Holder of the Heavens), who was
the patron of the five home bands, did not fail, in this crisis,
to direct them their way also. He instructed those on the
eastern bank the art of the bow and arrows, to use for game and
in time of danger. After giving them suitable instructions, he
guided their footsteps in their journeys, south and east, until
they had crossed the Alleghany Mountains, and with some
wanderings they finally reached the shores of the sea, on the
coast which is now called the Carolinas. By this time their
language was changed. They were directed to fix their residence
on the banks of the Gow-ta-no (that is, pine in the water) now
Neuse River, in North Carolina. Here Ta-ren-ya-wa-gon left them
to hunt, increase and prosper, whilst he returned to direct the
other five nations to form their confederacy.
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.
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.
It is said by the
Shawnee that these giants were descended from a certain
family which was journeying on the east side of the Mississippi.
After some of them had crossed the river on a vine it broke,
which left the main body on the east bank of the river. Those
who were on the west side of the river went toward the
northwest. Being abandoned in their wanderings, and being
vagrants, without any knowledge of the arts of life, they forgot
the rules of humanity. They at first began to eat their game in
the raw flesh, which led them finally to become cannibals, and
they practiced to roll themselves in the sand, which caused
their bodies to be covered with a hard skin, so that the arrows
of the Tuscarora only rattled against their rough bodies and
fell at their feet. And the consequence was, that they were
obliged to bide in caves and glens, and were brought into
subjection by those fierce invaders for many winters. At length
the Holder of the Heavens visited his people, and finding that
they were in great distress, he determined to relieve them of
these barbarous invaders. To accomplish this he changed himself
as into one of those giants. As you will remember, it is said
that he was able to change himself into any shape that he
wished. He then joined himself with the invaders, and
brandishing his heavy war club, led them on under the pretence
of finding the other five nations, which they were also in the
habit of visiting. When they came near to the strong fort at
Onondaga, they being weary of the long journey, and the night
being dark, their leader bade them lie down at the foot of a
mountain until the customary time to make the attack, which was
at the break of day. But during the night the Indian benefactor
ascended the height and overwhelmed the slumbers below with a
vast mass of rocks. At this catastrophe only one escaped to
carry the news of their dreadful fate, and he fled toward the
north.
The Tuscarora and the other five nations were so much
troubled with giants and other monsters that they were obliged
to build forts to protect themselves. The way they built them
was always by selecting an eminence, or rocky cliff, and on the
back part was dug a trench according to the plan of the fort.
Then timbers were set in the trench upright, projecting above
the ground several feet, and being adjusted together as close as
possible, and the trench being filled in again. They had two
gates, one way to get their water, the other for a sally port.
They were also molested by a terrific animal which they
called Ro-qua-ho a variegated lizard a swift runner and strikes
very violent blows with its tail, which destroyed many hunters
while lying in lurk for them. One day while a party of hunters
were on their journey to camp-out for the purpose of hunting,
the party consisting of four, they came to a very large hollow
tree where they noticed quite a number of great marks of claws
on the bark of the tree. Supposing it to be the lodge of bears,
they laid their bundles down and made ready for their game. One
of them bounded on the tree and climbed it, and he struck the
trunk of the tree several times. When the supposed bear
appeared, to their consternation it was found to be the enemy
they so much dreaded, the Ro-qua-ho. The person on the tree only
stepped behind it and the other three ran away for their lives.
The Ro-qua-ho came down and pursued them, and while yet in sight
one was caught, killed and brought back, and he carried the body
into the tree. Then he went after the second which was brought
in a short time, after which, he went for the third; then the
one on the tree came down and ran away also. While on his way he
heard a voice calling him; he stopped, and behold, a man of
stately form, with long flowing hair stood and said, "Why run? I
have seen the distress of my people, I have come to deliver them
out of trouble; now confide in me and we will prevail. I am your
benefactor, Tarenyawagon. Get behind me, the enemy is
approaching."
In the twinkling of an eye this Celestial being was
changed, and assumed himself into a great white bear. When the
Roquaho came a great struggle ensued, but with the help of the
man the enemy was killed.
They were again molested by an extraordinary and
ferocious animal in various places a mammoth bear. One morning
while a party of hunters were in their camp, they were alarmed
by a great tumult breaking out from the forest. Upon going to
ascertain the cause of this extraordinary noise, they saw the
great monster on the bank pawing and rolling stones and logs in
every direction, exhibiting the utmost rage. Another great
animal of the cat kind appeared, and seized the bear and a
dreadful fight ensued. In the end the bear got the worst of it
and retired horribly mangled, and never was heard of afterwards.
After a while a pestiferous and annoying creature of
the insect kind appeared in the guise of the Ro-tay-yo (a huge
mosquito). It first appeared among the Tuscarora along the Neuse
river. It flew about with vast wings, making a loud noise, with
a long stinger; and on whomsoever it lighted it sucked out all
the blood and killed them. Many warriors were destroyed in this
way, and all attempts made to subdue it were vain; but at length
it retired of itself. Next they heard that it appeared about the
fort at Onondaga, where it also destroyed many lives, until
Tarenyawagon made a visit to the ruler of the Onondagas. The
great mosquito happened to come flying about the fort as usual
at that time. Tarenyawago immediately made his attack, but such
was the rapidity of its flight, that he could scarcely keep in
sight of it. He chased it around the borders of the great lakes,
towards the sun-setting, and around the great country at large,
east and west. At last he overtook it, and took his strong bow
and sent an arrow which struck him through the heart and killed
him, near Gen-an-do-a (the salt lake of Onondaga). From the
blood flowing out on this occasion were the present species of
small mosquito originated.
I have now related a few of the tragedies of the dark
recesses of the forest, from the many that our tradition
relates.
There was also a little old man of singular appearance
that frequented among them at their ball plays, and did not seem
to be inclined to make acquaintance with any one, but kept by
himself and appeared to be mild and humble. At length this man
became very sick with putrefying sores from head to foot and was
very loathsome. Nobody knew who he was or where he came from: he
had no home; he gave his name as Qua-ra, or Rabbit: he went from
house to house of all the different clans or tribes in the
nation, as for instance, the Eel, Snipe, Beaver, Turtle, Wolf,
Deer. When he would approach the house, seemingly to go in, they
would loathe him to enter, and when he came to the doorstep he
would seem to hear their thoughts and then return; thus he was
repulsed from all the houses of the above clans, he finally came
to the house of the Bear clan. When the mistress of the house
observed him coming, she had pity on him, and presently prepared
a bed for him with the best deerskins she had; when he came to
the door he knew her hospitable heart and went in. She
immediately assured him of his welcome in her meanly hut, and
that she was ready to do everything in her power to relieve his
distress, and appointed his lodge where he had laid himself
nearly exhausted. He then told her to go and get the root of a
certain kind of plant, which she immediately did and prepared
according to his direction, which he took and readily recovered.
He then went through a series of diseases, directing her as
before to get the different kind of medicines for the different
diseases. Lastly, he became sick with that fatal disease,
consumption. This he said was incurable, and he must die. He
then told her he was a messenger from Tarenyawagon, to show them
the diseases that they should be subjected to, and also the
medicine to cure them. And also to tell them the predictions of
their fate and doom. Said he could not withhold the water from
his eyes, or keep from quaking when he thought of their
irrevocable doom to which they were destined, and said: "There
is a habitation beyond these great waters towards the
sun-rising, which are inhabited by beings of very pale faces,
and are looking only to themselves, have pity for nobody, and
make their delight in doing mischief. They have killed Rah-wah-ne-yo
(God); they mocked him and done all manner of bad things to him,
and finally, they fastened him to a tree until he died. But
death and the grave had not power to hold him. He arose and
lives again, and he has gone to the world above, in those happy
hunting grounds where all good O-qua-ho-wa (Indians), will go
when they die, and will see him as he is.
"Now this class of pale-faces will come across the
great waters and make their abode on this island, and will bring
poison to give you to drink, which will poison the spirit and
kill the body. They will kill your husbands, brothers and sons,
and drive you away to the sun-setting, and will deprive the
children that are coming behind, off their domain. They will
drive you until you are in the great salt water up to your
waist. Oh, hostess, this is the final doom of your great nation.
"And now as for you, Oh, mother, I have no words that I
can utter, to express the sincere gratitude of my inmost soul. I
have nothing to give to compensate you for all the tenderness
you have given me. But my blessings I will leave with you. I
place in the midst of your clan, the Bear, a majestic pine tree,
which is ever green, and as the top reaches above all other
trees, so will your clan be. Wherever the nation will be driven
to, your clan will multiply above all others, and be the ruler
of the nation. This is all I have to deliver unto you. I now
commend myself to that Great Spirit that has made us all, who
ruleth above."
Thus ended the last messenger of Tarenyawagon, who is
now basking in the pleasures of that hunting ground in the world
above.
This site
includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes
reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These
items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be
interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes
implied .
Legends, Traditions, and
Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations and
History of the Tuscarora Indians
