Related Myths about Sun

Myth 1

The Worship of the Sun, and the Dream of Onawutaquto

On the shores of Lake Huron there lived, a long time ago, an aged Ojibway and his wife, who had an only son - a very beautiful boy - whose name was Onawutaquto, or He that catches Clouds. These parents were proud of their son, and anticipated the time when they should see him a celebrated warrior. But when Onawutaquto arrived at the proper age, he was unwilling to submit to the fast prescribed to youths entering manhood, which very much disturbed his parents, who denied him food at their lodge, giving him only charcoal with which to blacken his face, according to the custom. Finally he consented to their wishes, and left the lodge for a place of solitude. The night came on, and the youth slept. In his dream a beautiful female came down from the clouds and stood by his side. "Onawutaquto," said she, "I am come for you; follow my footsteps." The young man obeyed and presently found himself ascending gradually above the trees, where, passing through an orifice in the clouds, he perceived that he had arrived upon a beautiful plain. Following his guide he entered a splendidly furnished lodge, on one side of which there were bows and arrows, clubs and spears, and various warlike implements, tipped with silver. On the other side were articles exclusively belonging to females, which were of the most elegant description.

This, the young man found, was the home of his fair guide, who, exhibiting to him a broad rich belt that she was embroidering with many colors, said, "Let me conceal you beneath this belt, for my brother is coming, and I must hide you from him." Then, placing him in one corner of the lodge, she concealed him entirely with the belt. Presently her brother came in. He was very richly dressed, and his whole person shone as if he had bright points of silver glittering all over his garments. Without speaking, the brother took down from the wall a very richly carved pipe, within which he placed a fragrant smoking mixture, and regaled himself. When he had finished, he turned to his sister, saying: "Nemissa, my elder sister, when will you quit these practices? Do you forget that the Great Spirit has commanded that you should not take away the children from below? perhaps you suppose that you have effectually concealed Onawutaquto, and I do not know of his presence. If you would not offend me, send him immediately down to his parents." But Nemissa was resolved to retain the young man, and the brother desisted from urging his request. Addressing the youth, he said: "Come forth from your concealment, and walk about and amuse yourself! You will become hungry if you remain there." He then presented him a bow and arrow, and a pipe of red stone elaborately ornamented. This was a signal that he consented to the marriage of Nemissa to Onawutaquto, which immediately took place. The young man found that the lodge, which was now his home, was situated in the most delightful part of the plain; and all things - the flowers and trees and birds - were more beautiful than any on earth. The streams ran more swiftly, and gleamed like silver. The animals were full of enjoyment, while the birds wore feathers of gorgeous colors.

Onawutaquto observed that the brother regularly left in the morning, returning in the evening, when his sister would depart, remaining away a portion of the night. This aroused his curiosity, and, wishing to solve the mystery of this singular habit, he sought and obtained consent to accompany the brother in one of his daily journeys. They traveled over a smooth plain without boundaries, until Onawutaquto felt exceedingly fatigued and very much in need of food, and he asked his companion if there were no game in that region. "Patience, my brother," answered he, "we shall soon reach the spot where I eat my dinner, and you will then see in what way I am provided." After walking on a long time, they came to a place which was spread over with very fine mats, where they sat down to rest. There was at this place a round aperture in the sky, looking through which Onawutaquto discovered the earth, with its gleaming lakes and thick forests. In some places he could see the villages of the Indians, and in others he saw a war-party stealing upon the camp of its enemy. In another place he saw feasting and dancing, where, on the green plain, young men were engaged at ball. Along a stream the women were employed in gathering apukwa for mats.

"Do you see," said the brother, "that group of children playing beside a lodge? Observe that beautiful and active boy," said he, at the same time darting something at him from his hand. The child immediately fell upon the ground, and was carried into a lodge where the people gathered in crowds; when Onawutaquto heard the Jossakeed, or priest, asking the child's life in the sheshegwam, or "song of entreaty." To this entreaty the companion of Onawutaquto made answer, "Send me up the sacrifice of a white dog." Immediately a feast was ordered by the parents of the child; the white dog was killed, his carcass was roasted, and all the wise men and the Jossakeed of the village assembled to witness the ceremony. "There are many below," said the brother to Onawutaquto, "whom you call Jossakeeds, because of their great success in the medical science, but it is to me they owe their skill. When I have struck one of the people with sickness, the Jossakeed directs them to look to me; and when they send me the offering I ask, I remove my hand from off them and they recover." The sacrifice was now parceled out in dishes, when the master of the feast said: "We send this to thee, great Manitoo, thou that dwellest in the sun." And immediately the roasted animal came up to the two residents of the sky. After partaking of this repast, they returned to the lodge by another way.

It was in this manner Onawutaquto lived for some time; but at last he became wearied of such a life, and, thinking of his friends he had left, one day he asked permission of his wife to return to the earth, to which, with great reluctance and with many delays, she consented. "Since you are better pleased," she said, "with the cares and the ills and the poverty of your earthly life than with the peaceful delights of the sky, - go! I give you permission, and I will guide your return; but remember, you are still my husband. I hold a chain in my hand by which I can draw you back whenever I will. Beware, therefore, how you venture to take a wife among the people below. Should you ever do so, it is then you shall feel the full force of my displeasure." As she said this, her eyes flashed and she straightened herself up with a majestic air, and - Onawutaquto awoke from his dream.

He found himself where he had laid down to fast, and his mother told him he had been absent a year. The change from the beautiful realms in which he had been living, to the scenes of earthly existence, was at first distasteful. He became moody and abstracted. By degrees, however, these impressions wore away, and he regained his interest in terrestrial pursuits. Now, forgetting the admonitions of his heavenly spouse, he married a beautiful woman of his tribe; but his bride died in four days after their marriage. Although thus reminded, Onawutaquto soon married again; when one day he left his lodge for the purpose of hunting, and from that time never was seen by mortal eyes.

(taken from Emerson, 1965, p. 83-87)