The Beginning of Newness – A Zuni Legend
The Zuni people, an indigenous tribe residing primarily in western New Mexico, possess a rich tapestry of oral traditions that explain their origins, beliefs, and the very essence of their existence. Among these narratives, the legend of "The Beginning of Newness" stands as a cornerstone, illuminating the Zuni understanding of creation and the emergence of humanity into the world as we know it. This narrative, passed down through generations, offers a profound glimpse into the Zuni worldview, where the interconnectedness of the spiritual and physical realms shapes their understanding of life.
The Primordial Void and the Emergence of the All-Father
Before the dawn of time, before the sun graced the sky and the earth took shape, there existed only the All-father Father. This supreme being, the solitary entity in a realm of absolute darkness, was the sole inhabitant of existence. Through countless ages, the All-father Father remained in this state of profound isolation, a testament to the boundless potential that lay dormant within the void.
The Zuni legend of "The Beginning of Newness" unfolds as the All-father Father, through the power of thought, initiated the process of creation. He projected his consciousness outward into the formless expanse, and from this act of will, mists began to materialize and ascend. This marked the genesis of the material world, the first step in transforming the emptiness into a realm of substance and light.
The Birth of the Sun-Father and the Dual Principles of Earth and Sky
Through his divine knowledge, the All-father Father transformed himself into the Sun-father, a radiant entity that illuminated the once-dark spaces. The emergence of the Sun-father signified the introduction of light and energy into the universe, setting the stage for further creation. Simultaneously, the cloud mists thickened and condensed, giving rise to the primordial waters.
From the Sun-father’s very essence, from the "Seed-stuff of worlds," emerged two paramount beings: the Four-fold-containing Earth-mother and the All-covering Sky-father. These entities, capable of shifting their forms like smoke in the wind, embodied the fundamental duality of existence. They were the father and mother of all soul-beings, the progenitors of life in its myriad forms. The legend of "The Beginning of Newness" highlights this concept.
The Creation of the World and the Inhabitants Therein
As the Earth-mother and Sky-father conversed, the Earth-mother manifested a vast, terraced bowl filled with water. This bowl, she declared, would serve as the home for her "tiny children." Around the rim of each "world-country," terraced mountains would rise, delineating one region from another, providing landmarks for those who would wander the earth.
In a symbolic act of creation, the Earth-mother spat upon the water, struck it, and stirred it with her fingers. Foam gathered around the terraced rim, growing higher and higher. Then, with her warm breath, she blew across the terraces. White flecks of foam broke away and floated over the water. However, the Sky-father’s cold breath shattered the foam, causing it to fall downward as fine mist and spray.
The Earth-mother explained that this interaction mirrored the natural processes that would sustain life on earth. "Even so shall white clouds float up from the great waters at the borders of the world, and clustering about the mountain terraces of the horizon, shall be broken and hardened by thy cold," she said. "Then will they shed downward, in rain-spray, the water of life, even into the hollow places of my lap. For in my lap shall nestle our children, man-kind and creature-kind, for warmth in thy coldness." This passage from "The Beginning of Newness" emphasizes the interconnectedness of the natural world.
The Sky-father, in turn, offered his own contribution to the well-being of their children. He spread his hand out with the palm downward, and into all the wrinkles of his hand, he set the semblance of shining yellow corn grains. In the darkness of the early world dawn, they gleamed like sparks of fire. He declared that these grains would guide their children when the Sun-father was not near, and when the earth was shrouded in darkness. Thus, the Sky-father created the stars, providing a celestial compass for humanity. He further stated that seed grain, like the stars, would spring up from the earth when touched by water, nourishing their children.
The Emergence from the Underworld and the Guidance of the Beloved Twain
Despite these divine provisions, the first children of Earth-mother and Sky-father remained unfinished, dwelling in a dark and foul cave deep within the earth. Their lamentations grew loud as they yearned for escape and a more complete existence.
The Sun-father, hearing their cries, sent down his two sons, the Beloved Twain, also known as the Twin Brothers of Light. These brothers, Elder and Younger, Right and Left, embodied the principles of question and answer, decision and action. The Sun-father bestowed upon them his wisdom, gifting them with the great cloud bow and thunderbolts for arrows, as well as the fog-making shield for protection. He entrusted them with the fathership and control of men and all creatures. The legend of "The Beginning of Newness" details their vital role.
The Beloved Twain, wielding their cloud-bow, lifted the Sky-father into the vault of the skies, allowing the earth to become warmer and more habitable. Then, they journeyed westward to the mountains, where they used magic knives to open the depths and uncover the cave in which the unfinished beings resided. They dwelled among the men and creatures, learning their ways and seeking to lead them out of the darkness.
Within the cave, there were growing things, such as grasses and vines. The Beloved Twain breathed upon these stems, causing them to grow tall and substantial, forming a great ladder by which the beings could ascend to a second cave. Men and creatures crowded up the ladder, guided by the Two Little but Mighty Ones. However, many fell back and were lost in the darkness, populating the underworld from which they would later emerge amid terrible earth shakings.
In the second cave, it was as dark as the night of a stormy season, but larger and higher. Again, the beings increased in number, and their complaints grew loud. The Twain, responding to their pleas, extended the ladder once more, leading them upward, not all at once, but in six bands, to become the fathers of the six kinds of men: the yellow, the tawny gray, the red, the white, the black, and the mingled. Again, many were lost or left behind.
The third great cave was larger and lighter, like a valley in starlight. And again, they increased in number. And again, the Two led them out into a fourth cave. Here, it was light like dawning, and men began to perceive and to learn variously, according to their natures. Wherefore Twain taught them first to seek the Sun-father.
Finally, as the last cave became filled and men learned to understand, the Two led them again into the great upper world, the World of Knowing and Seeing. This marked the culmination of their journey, the emergence of humanity into the light of knowledge and understanding.
A Continuing Cycle of Creation
The legend of "The Beginning of Newness" is not merely a historical account of creation; it is a living narrative that continues to inform the Zuni worldview. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, the constant interplay between darkness and light, and the importance of seeking guidance from the divine. The story serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the responsibility that humans have to maintain harmony within the world. The essence of "The Beginning of Newness" is not just about the start, but the continuous process of renewal.
Conclusion
"The Beginning of Newness" is a powerful testament to the enduring strength and wisdom of the Zuni people. It is a story that speaks to the fundamental human desire to understand our origins and our place in the universe. By preserving and sharing this legend, the Zuni continue to transmit their cultural values and spiritual beliefs to future generations, ensuring that the flame of their heritage continues to burn brightly.