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Tuwaqachi: The Fourth World
[From Book of the Hopi by Frank Waters, 1963.] "I have something more to say before I leave you," Sotuknang told the people as they stood at their Place of Emergence on the shore of the present Fourth World. "The name of this Fourth World is Tuwaqachi, World Complete. You will find out why. It is not all beautiful and easy like the previous ones. It has height and depth, heat and cold, beauty and barrenness; it has everything for you to choose from. What you choose will determine if this time you can carry out the plan of Creation on it or whether it must in time be destroyed too. Now you will separate and go different ways to claim all the earth for the Creator. Each group of you will follow your own star until it stops. There you will settle.... You will have help from the proper deities, from your good spirits. Just keep your own doors open and always remember what I have told you." The people began to move slowly off the shore and into the land, when they heard the low rumbling noise again [and] saw a handsome man and asked, "Are you the one who has been making these noises we have heard?" "Yes, I made them to help you find the way here. Do you not recognize me? My name in Masaw. I am the caretaker, the guardian and protector of this land." The people recognized Masaw. He had been appointed head caretaker of the Third World, but, becoming a little self-important, he had lost his himulity before the Creator. Being a spirit, he could not die, so Taiowa took his appointment away from him and made him the deity of death and the underworld. This job Below was not as pleasant as the one Above. Then when the Third World was destroyed, Taiowa decided to give him another chance, as he had the people, and appointed him to guard and protect this Fourth World as its caretaker. [They asked for his] permission to live on this land, [which he granted, and they also asked him] to be their leader. "No," replied Masaw. A greater one than I has given you a plan to fulfill first. When the previous parts of the world were pushed underneath the water, this new land was pushed up in the middle to become the backbone of the earth. You are now standing on its atvila (west side slope). But you have not yet made your migrations [and] have not yet followed your stars to the place where you will meet and settle. This you must do before I can become your leader.... To the north you will find cold and ice. That is the Back Door to this land, and those who may come through this back door will enter without my consent. So go now and claim the land with my permission." This is how it all began on this, our present Fourth World. As we know, its name is Tuwaqachi, World Complete; its direction north; its color sikyangpu, yellowish white. Chiefs upon it are the tree kneumapee, juniper; the bird mongwau, the owl; the animal tohopko, the mountain lion; and the mixed mineral sikyapala. Where all the people went on their migrations to the ends of the earth and back, and what they have done to carry out the plan of Creation from this Place of Beginning... is to be told next by all the clans as they came in.
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