Welcome to the Amazing World of Iroquois Mythology
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PHOTO BY RON GRAHAM BECKER
The Iroquois were the most powerful tribes in North America, with their own military power that other tribes struggled to match. With this power, the Iroquois led a bloody, semi-sedentary, and prosperous life. Most Iroquois tribes lived in structures known as "longhouses," which could fit more than five families or roughly twenty-five to fifty people in a single house. Some tribes had over ten or even sixty longhouses, making one tribe a formidable force.
The Iroquois hunted and fished, but most importantly, they learned how to cultivate corn, beans and squash to sustain their growing population. They traded with other local tribes and fought anyone who trespassed on their territory or threatened their livelihood. Despite being the only military power in North America, their reign ended with the arrival of the Europeans.
The Iroquois myths and legends ranged from five (later six) different tribes that banded together to form the Haudenosaunee confederacy or "people of the longhouse" around 1400 AD, however some archaeologists estimate it could’ve been earlier. The tribes included the Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Kanyen'keha:ka. Later, the Tuscarora joined in the early 18th century. Although the six nations began as separate tribes. When they came together, they shared their beliefs, language, myths, and legends with one another, forming a long-lasting alliance that still exists today.
The Iroquois, also known as the Haudenosaunee people, lived in northern areas of New York, along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, and throughout the Great Lakes region. From Lake Superior to Lake Ontario, between Canada and the United States.
Today, we will look at some of the Iroquoian myths and legends that have been passed down through the centuries. Without further ado, let us drive.
CREATION STORY
aRTWORK: Sky Woman by Bruce King
According to many Iroquoian beliefs, in the beginning there were the sky people, they lived in light, harmony and could never die. A sky woman became pregnant with twins one day. When her husband discovered she was pregnant, he uprooted a giant tree in a fit of rage, leaving a massive hole in the ground. Inside the hole was another world in complete darkness with no land, only endless water. The husband threw the sky woman down to the earth and left her to drown.
At that moment, two birds were flying over the waters when they saw a bright light appear in the sky. When they saw the sky woman fall, the birds immediately flew to catch her. When they caught her, the woman remained on the birds' backs. With nowhere else to go, the birds accompanied the sky woman to meet the other spirit animals. The woman convinced the spirit animals to help her build a land but she needed a piece of the ground. Many spirits tried to dive beneath the Great Turtle and to scoop up dirt and mud at the bottom, but all failed because it was too deep. Then a Toad volunteered and went down. For a long time, the Toad did not rise, and the spirits assumed it had failed. After a long time, the Toad emerged, his mouth full of dirt and mud.
The sky woman smeared the earth on the turtle's back to create the land. When she was done, all the spirit animals rejoiced because they now had a place to live. The woman also took the dirt and threw it into the sky, forming the moon and stars. The hole in the sky became the sun. Once the earth was finished, she gave birth to two powerful twins: one loved her and everything she created, while the other despised everything, including his own mother.
Notable Iroquois mythological beings
The Twin Gods
Credit: Light vs Dark by Ronron84
The twin gods represent the forces of good and evil. Sapling, the good god, loved animals, so he created vegetation, rivers, trees, and other things to benefit and foster life.
Flint, the evil god, despised everything and created fire, earthquakes, and other natural disasters to exterminate and destroy life. Together, they created humanity to serve the earth, but Flint instilled darkness in mankind's hearts, while Sapling instilled light. The Iroquois believed this is the reason why humans are both good and bad.
The Thunder Spirits
Hinon is the leader and most powerful of the sky spirits. They take on the appearances of both humans with wings and giant birds. They rule the skies with their powerful wings, which can produce thunder. It was believed that when Hinon or the other Thunder spirits fought, lightning struck the ground. They often appear as good and fair spirits who protect the earth from certain monsters.
The three sister goddesses
The three sister spirits are agricultural goddesses who gave humanity the knowledge and power to grow crops like corn, beans, and squash. Disrespecting their gifts resulted in famine and a land cursed with infertility.
The stone coat
The stone coats are a race of giants who hailed from the coldest regions of the world. These monsters were impenetrable and incredibly strong. They were twice the size of a man and could easily kill any animal or human without mercy or thought. Some tribes believed they killed and devoured humans and would often appear during the winter. Some thought these were servants of Flint, the evil god.
Kevin Moses is an award-winning videographer and director at the Montreal film festival in 2015, and at 26, he graduated from Algonquin College's professional writing program with the goal of becoming a published fiction writer. He recently written and published several short stories that are popular among young readers. He recently published his new novel, "Dreams of Magic," which many readers found thought-provoking, epic, entertaining, inspiring, and heartwarming.
