This story comes from the earliest time in our Language - a time when our language, symbols, beliefs, the world we saw around us, and life as we understand it - were completely different from the way we understand them now. We lived in a complete world. This story expresses our understanding of how we came to this complete world.

The Origin of Man



When Teharonhiawako created all the waters, plants, trees and animals of the world, he decided that he should create a being in his likenes from the natural world.

He wanted this being to have a superior mind so it would have the responsiblity of looking after his creations. Then he decided that it would be better if he created more than one being and give to each similar instructions and see if over a period of time, they would carry them through.

The first being Teharonhiawako made was from the bark of a tree; the second from the foam of the great salt water; the third from the black soil, and the last from the red earth.

All this he did in one day. He started in the early morning as the sun greeted the new day by picking certain types of bark from the tree life and created a human form, reflected against the sky the form gave a yellowish appearance. Teharonhiawako decided that this would be one type of human that would exist on this world. After Teharonhiawako finished his first human, he then went to the great salt waters and took from the sea some white foam, together with other elements of the natural world he created another being. This being appeared pale in contrast to the natural surroundings, but he was satisfied that he has created another special kind of human being. Next Teharonhiawako travelled to the thickest part of the large forest and brought out some black soil, again with the other elements of the natural world he created another human being. This being was very dark and he was pleased that he had created still another type of being for the world.

Now Teharonhiawako thought to himself, it is getting toward the end of the day and I have created three beings, since everything on this world exists in cycles of four, I will create one more being. Thus he again looked for something different within the natural world and this time he found some reddish-brown earth. With this he again combined other elements from the land and created human form. When he finished he observed that his form blended very well with the natural surroundings, especially against the setting sun, which gave the form a reddish color.

Teharonhiawako now gathered the four human forms into one area and said to himself, "I have been very careful in providing certain characteristics into each form that will reflect their own unique and strong qualities. I will now give life to each form and see if they benefit from their gifts."

As the beings came to life he observed just how evident their uniqueness became. The white being was the first to move about, he was also the most curious, observing closely all his surroundings. Next, the black and yellow slowly started to move about. When the black being picked a brightly colored object that he was attracted to, the white being pounced on him and pushed him to the ground, taking over the object. At that same instant, the yellowish being stood up for the black and soon, a fight broke out between the three.

Teharonhiawako noticed that the fourth being was still sitting on the ground, camouflaged by his surroundings. Now it became clear to Teharonhiawako that there was no way these four could exist in the same environment and survive.

Teharonhiawako stopped their quarreling and brought them back to one place and told them, "There is a reason why you were not all created in the same manner, just as there are birds and animals who look alike, they are different in their ways, so are you. They have their own language, their own songs but have learned to share the world. It is for this reason that I have created you, that in time you will learn to respect and appreciate your differences. It is very evident that I can not put you together to watch over my creations, for you would probably destroy it as well as yourselves. You need to learn how to get along with each other, as well as with other living things. I will help you do this, but first I will have to keep you apart. You will come back together after a time when I have sent a messenger to visit each of you and give you a way to be thankful for the good things, as well as respect for other living creatures."

Teharonhiawako then took the white, the black and yellow beings across the salt waters and placed them far from each other. The red being he kept at his place of origin. Teharonhiawako tol him, "You will be called Onkwehonwe (origional being). You will call me Sonkwaiatison (The Creator), I have given you the gift of life. You were created from the earth of this Island. I now realize that you would not survive very long among the others, for you are too much a part of nature, which is good, bout you need time before you come into contact with the other beings. You will also be given a sacred way by a messanger who will visit you and your descendents."

Now Teharonhiawako thought to himself, "They will all have a chance to learn of the reason for their existance and of a good way to live."

In case of the Onkwehonwe, he followed his instructions and lived in harmony with the natural world. He knew that if he strayed from his path, that Sonkwaiatison would send a messenger to remind him how to be thankful for his gift of life.

Teharonhiawako Meets "Hadoui"



Teharonhiawako came to a spot that was open and found a being sitting there on a rock, looking into the mountains. As he walked up to the being, he said, "Who are you?" The Being told him, "I am called Hadoui, I am the most powerful being on this earth. I have the power to change the natural life and beings that live on it." Teharonhiawako then introduced himself by saying, "I am the Creator of all that you see, the valleys, mountains, rivers, animals and beings that walk about this land. I am called Teharonhiawako, and if you are as powerful as you say then I would like to see your powers for there can only be one true "Creator". Hadoui replied that they should resolve who had the most power for only one could rule the world. They finally agreed to a contest of who could move the mountain closest to them in the valley where they were standing. Hadoui started first, and to the amazement of Teharonhiawako he caused the mountain to tremor and even move slightly. Finally Hodoui said, "This is what I can do, now it is your turn." Teharonhiawako asked Hadoui not to look behind him. Hadoui did not realize that the mountain was already behind him and as he turned his head he scraped his face against the side of the mountain, breaking his nose and contorting his features in the process. Hadoui said, "I now realize that you are the true "Creator", and your power is greater than mine."

The "MASTER OF LIFE" then told him, "I recognize that you are a powerful being and that you have strong power - the power to help people. My brother is still around, and I know that in the future he will try to cause problems. I am going to ask you if you will help watch over all my children and take care of them, in case of disease, sickness or other problems. At that moment, the Hadoui said, "I will do that, for I recognize that you are the one who made this place. In return the people will have to give me some tobacco and food. For their protection, for their health, they will have to feed me." This was when the songs were made, when they were put together.

They agreed that a certain kind of food would be given to Hadoui and thanks would be given to him. He does work and good things for the people. At that point, the "CREATOR" returned to the first people he had created.

He told them, "All living creatures are your relations, and they all have instructions as to how they must live in this world. The natural life will always be ready to assist the living beings, if they live in harmony with one another. The humans must always look after their relations of the natural world."

To this day, this has been the Tradition Belief of the people of the Hotinonshonni.


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