The story of how the seasons came to be is a captivating legend passed down through generations of the Acoma people, an Indigenous tribe of New Mexico. This tale, rich in symbolism and cultural significance, explains the cyclical nature of the year and the eternal dance between winter and summer. It centers on a dramatic confrontation between Shakok, the formidable Spirit of Winter, and Miochin, the radiant ruler of Summer, all for the affection of a woman named Co-chin-ne-na-ko, or Co-chin for short.
The narrative begins with a stark depiction of a land gripped by an unending winter. Co-chin, the daughter of the Acoma chief, found herself married to Shakok, the embodiment of winter’s harshness. His arrival brought an unrelenting cold, extending the icy grip of winter year after year. The once-fertile lands became barren, incapable of sustaining the life-giving corn. The Acoma people, facing starvation, were forced to subsist on meager rations of cactus leaves, a desperate measure to survive the perpetual freeze.
Co-chin, burdened by the plight of her people, ventured out one day in search of sustenance. As she carefully burned the thorns off a cactus leaf, preparing it for consumption, a vision of vibrant life appeared before her. A young man approached, his attire a testament to the warmth and abundance that had vanished from the Acoma lands. He wore a yellow shirt woven from the silken threads of corn, a symbol of hope and nourishment. A belt adorned his waist, and a tall, pointed hat sat atop his head. His legs were encased in green leggings, crafted from the soft moss that thrives near springs and ponds, hinting at the life-giving waters that had become scarce. Finally, his feet were adorned with moccasins, intricately embroidered with flowers and butterflies, a testament to the beauty and vibrancy of summer.
In his hand, he carried an ear of green corn, a beacon of hope for the starving people. He greeted Co-chin with this symbol of life. She returned the salute with her meager cactus leaf, a stark contrast to the bounty he offered. He inquired about her sustenance, asking, "What are you eating?" Co-chin, her heart heavy with despair, explained the dire situation. "Our people are starving because no corn will grow," she lamented, "and we are compelled to live on these cactus leaves."
The young man, moved by her plight, offered a solution. "Here, eat this ear of corn," he said, his voice filled with compassion, "and I will go bring you an armful for you to take home with you." He vanished as quickly as he appeared, heading south towards his home. Shortly after, he returned, laden with a large bundle of green corn, which he laid at Co-chin’s feet.
Astonished by his generosity and the abundance he possessed, Co-chin asked, "Where did you find so much corn?"
"I brought it from my home far to the south," he replied, his words painting a picture of a land untouched by the harshness of winter. "There the corn grows abundantly and flowers bloom all year."
Co-chin, yearning for a glimpse of such a paradise, confessed, "Oh, how I would like to see your lovely country. Will you take me with you to your home?"
The young man hesitated, acknowledging the potential conflict. "Your husband, Shakok, the Spirit of Winter, would be angry if I should take you away," he warned.
Co-chin, her voice filled with weariness, revealed her unhappiness. "But I do not love him, he is so cold. Ever since he came to our village, no corn has grown, no flowers have bloomed. The people are compelled to live on these prickly pear leaves," she pleaded.
The young man, understanding her desperation, offered a compromise. "Well," he said, "Take this bundle of corn with you and do not throw away the husks outside of your door. Then come tomorrow and I will bring you more. I will meet you here." He bid her farewell and returned to his home in the south.
Co-chin, carrying the precious bundle of corn, began her journey home. She encountered her sisters, who had been searching for her. They were astounded to see her carrying corn instead of the usual cactus leaves. Co-chin recounted her encounter with the young man and how he had brought the corn from his home in the south. Together, they carried the bounty back to their village.
Upon their arrival, Co-chin’s parents were overjoyed by the sight of the corn. Co-chin meticulously described the young man, detailing his appearance and the location of his home. She informed them of his promise to bring more corn the following day and his willingness to accompany her home.
Recognizing the description, her father exclaimed, "It is Miochin!" Her mother echoed his sentiment, "It is Miochin! Bring him home with you."
The next day, Co-chin-ne-na-ko returned to the meeting place and found Miochin, for it was indeed him, the Spirit of Summer, waiting with even larger bundles of corn. Together, they carried the life-sustaining grain to the Acoma village. There was enough to feed all the people, and Miochin was warmly welcomed into the chief’s home.
As evening approached, Shakok, the Spirit of Winter and Co-chin’s husband, returned from the north. He had spent the day reveling in his power, playing with the north wind, snow, sleet, and hail. Upon reaching the village, he sensed Miochin’s presence and challenged him, "Ha, Miochin, are you here?"
Miochin emerged to confront him. "Ha, Shakok, now I will destroy you," Shakok threatened.
"Ha, Shakok, I will destroy you," Miochin retorted, advancing towards him. As he moved, the snow and hail began to melt, and the fierce wind transformed into a gentle summer breeze. The icicles adorning Shakok’s clothing began to fall, revealing that his attire was made of dry, bleached rushes, a symbol of winter’s barrenness.
Realizing he was outmatched, Shakok proposed a delay. "I will not fight you now, but will meet you here in four days and fight you till one of us is beaten. The victor will win Co-chin-ne-na-ko," he declared.
Shakok departed in a rage, the wind roaring and shaking the walls of the White City, the Acoma village. However, the people felt warm and secure in their homes, comforted by Miochin’s presence. The following day, Miochin left for his home in the south to prepare for the impending battle.
He first sent an eagle to Yat-Moot, a powerful figure who resided in the west, requesting his assistance. Next, he summoned all the birds, insects, and four-legged animals that thrived in the summer lands to join him. The bat, with its tough skin, was chosen as his advance guard and shield, capable of withstanding the sleet and hail that Shakok would unleash.
On the third day, Yat-Moot kindled his fires, heating the thin, flat stones that gave him his name. Big black clouds of smoke billowed from the south, covering the sky, signaling the approaching battle.
Shakok, in the north, called upon all the winter birds and four-legged animals of the winter lands to aid him. The magpie, known for its resilience, was chosen as his shield and advance guard.
On the fourth morning, the two adversaries approached the Acoma village, each bringing the forces of their respective seasons. From the north, black storm clouds carrying snow, sleet, and hail heralded Shakok’s arrival. In the south, Yat-Moot fueled his fires, creating massive clouds of steam and smoke that carried Miochin, the Spirit of Summer, to the battlefront. The animals accompanying him were blackened by the smoke, and forked blazes of lightning illuminated the sky.
The combatants finally met at the White City. Flashes of lightning singed the hair and feathers of Shakok’s animals and birds. Shakok and Miochin stood face to face. Shakok unleashed a barrage of snow, sleet, and hail, creating a blinding storm. However, Yat-Moot’s fires and smoke melted Shakok’s weapons, forcing him to retreat. Realizing his defeat, Shakok called for a truce. Miochin agreed, and the winds subsided, and the snow and rain ceased.
They met at the White Wall of Acoma to negotiate. "I am defeated," Shakok conceded, "you, Miochin, are the winner. Co-chin-ne-na-ko is now yours forever." Then, the two spirits agreed to divide the year equally, Shakok ruling the winter months and Miochin governing the summer months. They vowed to never interfere with each other’s reign.
And so, according to the Acoma legend, the seasons came to be, with a cold season for one half of the year and a warm season for the other. The legend of how the seasons came to be remains a vital part of Acoma culture. How the seasons came to be, is a timeless tale of balance and compromise, explaining the cyclical nature of the year and the enduring power of nature. The Acoma legend of how the seasons came to be is more than just a story, it is a reflection of their deep connection to the land and their understanding of the world around them. This story of how the seasons came to be continues to be told today.