The spiritual beliefs of the Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois, are rich and complex, reflecting a deep connection to the natural world and a profound understanding of the human condition. This article serves as an introduction to some of the key figures and concepts within Haudenosaunee Spiritual Mythology, providing a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of their beliefs.
The Haudenosaunee: People of the Longhouse
Before delving into the specifics of their mythology, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context of the Haudenosaunee people. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, often referred to as the Iroquois Confederacy, is a union of six distinct nations: the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora. Originally composed of five nations, the Tuscarora joined the Confederacy later. Their traditional territory encompassed a vast area of northeastern North America, stretching from the St. Lawrence River Valley across much of present-day New York State and into northern Pennsylvania. Furthermore, their influence, either direct or through allied tribes like the Mingo, extended into regions of Pennsylvania, southern Ontario, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia.
These nations, while independent in many ways, were united by a common culture, language family, and a sophisticated political system known as the Great Law of Peace. This law, emphasizing consensus-building and peaceful resolution of disputes, is believed to have influenced the development of democratic principles in the United States. Other tribes closely related to the Haudenosaunee, sharing similar beliefs and mythologies, included the Huron (Wyandot), Erie, Wenro, and Neutral nations.
The Haudenosaunee played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the region. Their strategic alliances, particularly with the British during the colonial era, significantly impacted the balance of power and hindered French expansion into the American heartland. Their legacy endures not only in their political influence but also in the vibrant spiritual traditions that continue to be practiced and passed down through generations.
Key Figures and Concepts in Haudenosaunee Spiritual Mythology
The Haudenosaunee Spiritual Mythology is populated by a diverse cast of characters, ranging from supreme deities to trickster spirits, each playing a unique role in the cosmic drama. Here, we explore some of the most prominent figures:
Adekagagawaa: Often translated as "The Great Spirit," Adekagagawaa represents the visible aspect of the creator, specifically manifested as the sun. As such, He holds dominion over the weather spirits and the spirits of the seasons, influencing the cycles of nature and the rhythms of life.
Areskoui: This figure embodies the Great Spirit’s patronage of the hunt and warfare. Areskoui represents the skills and strategies needed for both survival and defense, reflecting the importance of these activities in Haudenosaunee society.
Ataentsic (Atseatsine): Known as "Woman-Who-Fell-To-Earth," Ataentsic is a central figure in the Haudenosaunee creation myth. According to the story, she was the wife of Atseatsan, and she fell from the sky world to Earth while pregnant, seeking medicine for her husband. Upon her descent, she gave birth to twin sons, Yoskeha and Tawiskaron.
Ataentsic is a complex and ambiguous character. On one hand, she is revered as the Mother of Humanity, responsible for bringing the gifts of corn and meat to the world. On the other hand, she is sometimes portrayed as a malevolent witch, aligning herself with her evil son Tawiskaron to inflict harm and misfortune. This duality reflects the Haudenosaunee understanding of the world, where good and evil are often intertwined.
Atseatsan: As the first man and husband of Ataentsic, Atseatsan is often associated with the sun. In some narratives, he and Ataentsic work together to raise the sun into the heavens, using long poles to avoid direct contact with its intense heat.
Awaeh Yegendji: Translated as "Mother Swan," Awaeh Yegendji is a wise old woman living in the forest with her three daughters. Driven by poverty, she urges her daughters to marry, hoping to secure her own well-being. Ultimately, the eldest and youngest daughters are accepted as wives by the son of Big Earth, providing for their mother’s needs.
Awataerohi: These are disease spirits that take residence within a victim’s body. Curing an Awataerohi infestation requires a specific ritual feast and dance, each of the twelve types of Awataerohi illnesses necessitating its own unique dance for healing.
Bean Woman, Corn Woman, and Squash Woman: These three sisters are revered as the patronesses of the three staple crops that sustained the Haudenosaunee people. They are credited with revealing the secrets of cultivating beans, corn (maize), and squash, respectively, ensuring the community’s food security.
Breath-of-the-Wind: A child of Ataentsic, Breath-of-the-Wind is an aerial spirit. Some versions of the Ataentsic creation story depict Breath-of-the-Wind as the mother of Yoskeha and Tawiskaron, rather than Ataentsic herself, highlighting the fluidity and variations within Haudenosaunee oral traditions.
Cannibal Woman: A cautionary tale is told of Cannibal Woman. She was one who prepared a meal for herself, but spared nothing for her husband’s dogs. Orendato caused her to cut herself and, sucking on the wound, she found she liked the taste better than the meal she had prepared. She thereupon mutilates herself badly, and finishes by slaying and eating her child. The dogs flee and warn her husband, who then settles elsewhere with them.
Dagwanoenyent: This spirit embodies the tornado. Dagwanoenyent, daughter of the wind, is a malevolent witch. Even if slain and burned to ashes, she will revive at the time of the next storm. The only way of insuring her subdual is to carefully separate her ashes into three different containers, and keep those containers far from one another.
Daganoweda: A prophet and visionary, Daganoweda is believed to have lived around 1550 CE. He is credited with inspiring the formation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, preaching a message of unity and peace among the Iroquoian peoples. Mythologically, he is identified as a son of the Great Spirit, advocating for collective strength and an end to internal conflict.
Dahdahwat: These are spirit creatures who can assume a variety of forms and appear in dreams. They are dangerous and can kill if enough attack a victim together.
Dajoji: As the spirit of the West Wind and guardian of the cougar, Dajoji is associated with Gaoh, the master of the winds. Together, they combat violent storms. Dajoji’s battle shriek is said to cause panic, even prompting the sun to hide behind a cloud.
Deadoendjadases: Translated as "Earth-Circler," this cannibal giant lived with his three sisters and protected a giant strawberry patch. He was eventually defeated by members of the Turkey, Partridge, and Quail clans.
Deagahgweoses: Known as "Long Upper Eyelid," Deagahgweoses is the patron of tobacco. He creates tobacco by hammering plant matter and singing the appropriate songs.
Deanodjes: This is the Walrus spirit.
Dehodyatgaieweh: Translated as "He is split asunder," this Forest Face embodies the essence of both the East and the West in equal measure.
Dehotgohsgayeh: Known as "Split-Face," this giant dwells in the south and serves as a guardian spirit of the hickory tree. He offers protection against evil and is associated with darkness, bears, and thunder.
Djieien: A monstrous spider spirit, huge and evil, whose vital essence is kept hidden and apart from its body, so that it can regain form after even the strongest attacks.
Djigaahehwa: These are lesser spirits who appear as dwarvish people and have authority over plant life, especially the growth and flourishing of medicinal herbs. They are of the Husk Face family of spirits.
Djoeaga: The Raccoon spirit, a common character in many tales.
Doonongaes: These horned serpents dwell in lakes and ponds, generally hostile to humans. They are shapeshifters and can assume human form. They defend their water by causing anyone who dips a hand in it to lose that hand. His special associate is Skahnowa, and his particular enemy is Hinon.
Eithinoha: A female spirit associated with fertility, she is the mother of Onatha.
Faces in the Forest: These spirits dwell in deep woods, appearing as faces embedded within the bark of trees or within patterns of leaves. They are associated with particular trees or locales within the forest.
False Faces: These spirits serve Shagodyowehgowah and may be induced to teach or provide healing in return for gifts of cornmeal mush and tobacco.
Gaasyendietha: Known as Meteor Fire Lizards, these creatures dwell within bodies of water and are only seen when they briefly travel from one lake to another. They are dangerous but not necessarily evil.
Gadjiqsa: A Husk Face spirit who provides defenses against Ganiagwaihegowa.
Ga-gaah: A crow spirit sent by Adekagagawaa to bring corn to humanity.
Gagohsa: The Seneca term for False Face spirits as a class, and the masks that portray them.
Gahongas: These are spirits in dwarven form, who are specially associated with rocks and stone.
Gandayaks: Spirits in dwarven form, who have power over living plants of all sorts, and control their growth and health. They also have some power over fish as well. See also Djigaahehwa.
Ganiagwaihegowa: A monstrous bear, nearly invulnerable except to attacks to the soles of his feet. He devours humans, and in some stories dwells in the underworld.
Ganyajigowa: Mud-Hen spirit, a trickster figure. She gives names to many things at the beginning of time, and engages in many contests with other creatures, in which Her guardian spirit proves superior to theirs.
Gaoh: Master of the Winds, He directs the activities of Dajoji, Keksa’aa Uneuke, Nyagwai, and Uyetani.
Gaqga: Crow spirit, well known for sociability and thievery.
Gendenwitha: The morning star.
Godasiyo: A female chieftain who governed the people when the world was young.
Godiont: A female chieftain who arranges for the False Facespirits to dwell in the Genesee Valley.
Gohone: The divinity of Winter.
Gonyahsgweont: The Toad spirit.
Great Spirit: Generic term for the creator and master of all the world.
Gwiyee: Seagull spirit.
Hadentheni & Hanigongendatha: Two heroes who undergo an initiatory journey in order to become fully a part of the people.
Hadjihsa Thokste?ah: Eldest and chief of the Husk Face spirits.
Hadu?i: A Hunchbacked being, a senior member of the False Face class of spirits.
Hagondes: A cannibal spirit, represented by a buckskin mask.
Hagonsadji: Rattlesnake totem spirit.
Hagowanen: Huntsman spirit, who travels the forest bringing down game.
Haiohwatha: A deified mortal, a Mohawk medicine man.
Hanehwa: An Anema (spirit or soul), created by a powerful sorceror or witch as a guardian of their lodge.
Hanogahga: A False Face spirit, adept at healing if properly honored.
Hawenniyo: An Aspect of the Great Spirit who figures largely in origin tales concerning False Face spirits.
Hinon: A divinity associated with thunder and torrential storms, with rainbows, and with healing.
Hodesadoghdo: A False Face spirit, noted as a healer.
Hodigohsosga: A class of False Face spirits, adepts at healing and ritual.
Hongak: Canada Goose spirit.
Honochenokeh: A class of invisible spirits, beneficial to humans.
Hotho: Spirit of Winter.
Husk Faces: Spirits who dwell within certain types of plants, especially maize, beans, and squash.
Hustoyowanen: Deer (adult male) totem spirit.
Jokao: Spirits associated with Winter.
Keksa’aa Uneuke: Spirit of the South Wind.
Keneu: Golden Eagle spirit.
Nyagwai: Spirit of the North Wind.
Ohdowas: Dwarven spirits, evil beings who dwell in the under earth.
Ohohwa: Owl spirit.
Ohswedogo: Guardian of the West.
Oki: A Huron specific class of invisible Power spirits.
Onatha: Fertility Goddess associated with grain.
Onditachiae: Turkey (adult male) spirit.
Ondoutaehte: War divinity.
Onoqgontgowa: The Bumblebee spirit.
Orenda & Otgon: The invisible Power, spiritual and/or magical force which permeates all being.
Othegwenhda: Child of Hagowanen and Hongak, and a hero-figure.
Shadahgeah: A dweller in the mists above the clouds, ruler of all birdkind.
Shagodyowehgowah: A supreme deity, the ruler of the False Face class of spirits.
Shodieonskon: A trickster divinity.
Skahnowa: Great Turtle spirit.
Squash Woman: The Patroness and revealer of the squash plant.
Tareyawagon: A supreme deity among the Mohawk.
Tarhuhyiawahku: A supreme spirit, the holder-up-of-the-Heavens.
Tawiskaron: The evil son of Ataentsic.
Tsiyae: Dog spirit.
Tsohoqgwais: The Chipmunk spirit.
Twehdaigo: Guardian of the East.
Uyetani: Spirit of the East Wind.
Yiyantsinni: A group of twelve solar spirits which hold the sun up on long poles.
Yoskeha: The good child of Ataentsic, and the bringer of the secret of fire to humans.
Orenda: The Life Force
Central to Haudenosaunee Spiritual Mythology is the concept of orenda. Orenda is a spiritual power that permeates all things, both animate and inanimate. It is a vital force that can be harnessed and directed, influencing the world around us. Individuals, animals, plants, and even objects can possess orenda, and its presence is essential for health, well-being, and success. The Haudenosaunee believe that rituals, ceremonies, and offerings can strengthen orenda and maintain balance in the world.
The Enduring Legacy of Haudenosaunee Spiritual Mythology
The spiritual beliefs of the Haudenosaunee are not merely relics of the past; they are a living tradition that continues to shape the lives of Haudenosaunee people today. These myths and stories provide guidance, inspiration, and a framework for understanding the world and our place within it. They emphasize the importance of respect for nature, the interconnectedness of all things, and the power of community. By studying and appreciating Haudenosaunee Spiritual Mythology, we gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the Haudenosaunee people and the profound wisdom that has sustained them for centuries.