Talk Concerning the First Beginning (Zuni creation myth)
"Talk Concerning the First Beginning" is a Zuni creation myth that describes the origins of humanity and the connection between people and the Earth. In this narrative, the Sun, feeling lonely, sends his sons deep into the Earth to bring forth humans from various wombs. Upon their journey, the sons encounter a slimy creature, revealing the early state of humanity as they emerge into the light of the Sun. The myth emphasizes the transformation of these beings from their initial, disorganized existence in darkness to structured societies on the surface.
The story highlights two key themes: the natural roots of humanity, illustrating that people are born from the Earth rather than being created by a deity, and the importance of social order, as the emergence into the light signifies the development of structured communities led by priests. This narrative reflects the Zuni perspective on humanity’s relationship with nature, where all living beings are seen as interconnected and equal, without any hierarchy over the natural world. Overall, the myth serves to explain not only the origins of the Zuni people but also their cultural values surrounding community and spirituality.
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Subject Terms
Talk Concerning the First Beginning (Zuni creation myth)
Author: Traditional Zuni
Time Period: 1001 CE–1500 CE
Country or Culture: North America
Genre: Myth
PLOT SUMMARY
At the beginning of time, Earth’s surface is empty. The Sun rises and sets every day, without prayers or homage from any person or living thing. Sun is lonely. He calls upon his children to go deep into the layers of Earth, where they would bring forth people, including priests and others who would immediately pay their respects to Sun. Using his rainbow bow, Sun shoots an arrow of lightning into the ground, creating an opening for his sons to enter Earth’s many wombs to find humanity.
When they reach the fourth womb, the sons of Sun encounter a person hidden in the dark. They speak with him, revealing to him that they are from the surface. They light a fire to see the man better, but he is revealed to be a slimy creature with a horn and webbed hands. They put out the fire, for it blinded the reptilian man. As they continue their travels westward in the dark, they find more people, huddled alongside the road.
When the sons of Sun reveal their identities, the people pay respect to them in the manner that they were taught by the priest of the north. The two sons visit the priest, who greets them warmly. The lifestyle of these people, it is revealed, is a wretched one. They trample one another in the dark, stepping into the waste of the others. They welcome the opportunity to travel into the world of Sun, the priest says. However, his younger brother, the priest of the west, must be the one to authorize such a migration.
The two sons travel along many different roads, gathering more people and their priests. When the people are all assembled, it is time to venture out of the wombs and into Sun’s light. However, they cannot find the road out that would take them this way. They consult with the eagle priest, along with other bird priests, but none can find the way out of the depths. They also look to the locust, whose spirit is strong. The locust travels through three worlds but does not have the strength to continue his journey. The Reed Youth is also asked to go forth, and he does, but he does not return.
While the brothers and their companions wait, they construct ladders from different trees. The ladders take them into new wombs, where the group rests and sings songs. Each level is different; some smell of sulfur while others have plant life. Finally, the group emerges into the fog. They finally arise from the wombs and onto the surface. When they arrive, Sun greets them, opening their dark eyes.
Over time, as they explore Earth’s surface, the people learn how to wash themselves and grow crops. The people change from the slimy creatures found in the dark of the fourth womb, taking the appearance they have today. As they continue to travel, however, many become tired from the journey and are transformed into different animals, such as turtles, squirrels, and other creatures. These creatures vie for Sun’s light. Meanwhile, the people themselves form different tribes and clans, sometimes fighting with one another. Despite their differences, however, they all seek the center of the universe, Itiwana. The water bug, stretching out his arms, shows them all the way to this spot. All of the people, their priests, and the grandchildren of Sun, settle in Itiwana.
SIGNIFICANCE
This story of creation comes from the Zuni tribe, which today lives predominantly in western New Mexico. The tale is significant for two major reasons. First, it underscores the natural roots of humanity and other living organisms. For example, unlike in the Judeo-Christian tradition, in which men and women are considered to have been created by God, the Zuni myth emphasizes that men and women were born from the womb of Earth. Indeed, the world described in this story is hollow, with many different wombs in which early humans were conceived. Once on the surface, the people evolve into the men and women seen today, while others transform into animals. Still, these creatures retain the sentience of humans, and humans are considered to be equal in status to animals and even plants, holding no position of lordship or governance over the natural world.
The second significant point demonstrated in this story is that of society and order. When the people are first found inside the fourth womb, they are described as stumbling over and befouling one another in the dark. When they emerge onto the surface, however, they are taught how to divide themselves into societies and, within those societies, families. Central to both their spirituality and social order is the priest, who helps the people find their way out of the darkness and across the world. Social order is an important element of Zuni culture. With such order, the different responsibilities within society are effectively distributed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bunzel, Ruth L. Zuni Origin Myths. Washington: GPO, 1932. Print.
Cushing, Frank H. Outlines of Zuni Creation Myths. New York: AMS, 1976. Print.
Gill, Sam D. Mother Earth: An American Story. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991. Print.
Kroeber, Karl, et al., eds. Traditional Literatures of the American Indian: Texts and Interpretations. Lincoln: U of Nebraska P, 1981. Print.