The arid landscapes of Arizona, etched with canyons and dotted with saguaro cacti, hold within them not only geological wonders but also the rich tapestry of Native American lore. Among the indigenous peoples who call this land home are the Pima, or Akimel O’odham, whose oral traditions speak of creation, destruction, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Woven into the heart of their cultural narrative is the story of a great flood, a tale remarkably similar to those found in other ancient cultures around the world. This particular rendition, however, is uniquely tied to the imposing silhouette of Superstition Mountain, forever imbuing the landmark with an aura of mystery and sacred significance.
According to Pima cosmology, the genesis of humankind and all living creatures can be traced back to Cherwit Make, the Earth-maker. Envisioned as a butterfly, this divine being descended from the celestial realm, fluttering down to the convergence of the Verde and Salt Rivers, a location marked by the dramatic Blue Cliffs. From his own perspiration, Cherwit Make fashioned the first people. Initially, these newly created beings lived in harmony, but as their numbers grew, so too did their flaws. Selfishness, discord, and a general disregard for the well-being of others became rampant, deeply disheartening Cherwit Make, who regretted his creation. In his divine disappointment, he resolved to cleanse the world through a catastrophic flood, a deluge that would wash away the corruption and usher in a new beginning.
However, before unleashing his watery judgment, Cherwit Make extended a final opportunity for redemption. His warning came on the wind, a disembodied voice carried on the breath of the north. He implored the people to embrace honesty, to live peacefully, and to forsake their wicked ways. This message was interpreted by Suha, a Pima prophet known for his wisdom and integrity. Yet, Suha’s attempts to convey the divine warning were met with ridicule. He was branded a fool for listening to the wind, his words dismissed as the ramblings of a madman.
Undeterred, Cherwit Make persisted. On the following night, the east wind echoed the initial command, adding a stark threat: the ruler of heaven would unleash destruction upon them if they failed to reform. Again, the people scoffed, their hearts hardened against the possibility of divine retribution. The west wind followed suit on the third night, reiterating the caution, but its plea was equally ignored.
Finally, on the fourth night, the south wind whispered a different message, a revelation intended for Suha alone. It revealed that Suha, by virtue of his goodness, was chosen to be saved from the impending cataclysm. The wind instructed him to construct a hollow ball from spruce gum, a vessel that would serve as his ark, protecting him as he floated upon the floodwaters.
Without hesitation, Suha and his wife embarked on the arduous task of gathering spruce gum. They painstakingly melted and shaped the resin into a large, rounded ark. To ensure its stability, they ballasted the vessel with jars filled with essential provisions: nuts, acorn-meal, water, and preserved meat from bear and venison. This carefully curated cargo would sustain them during their uncertain journey.
On the day the flood was destined to begin, Suha and his wife stood on the ledge where their ark rested, their gaze sweeping across the verdant valleys below. The air was filled with the joyful sounds of harvesters at work, a scene of vibrant life that would soon be submerged. Regret tugged at their hearts as they contemplated the destruction that awaited. Then, a dramatic sign appeared in the sky. A hand of fire, reaching down from a cloud, struck the Blue Cliffs with a thunderous clang. This was the signal, the unmistakable indication that Cherwit Make’s judgment was about to commence.
Almost instantly, dark clouds converged from every direction, blotting out the sun and unleashing a torrential downpour. Suha and his wife retreated into their waxen ark, carefully sealing the portal behind them. The deluge had begun.
For what seemed like an eternity, they were tossed and turned on the ever-rising sea. The ark became a fragile vessel in the face of nature’s fury, its occupants at the mercy of the relentless waves. Their carefully rationed supplies dwindled with each passing day, testing their resilience and faith. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, the ark came to rest.
With trepidation, Suha and his wife broke a hole in the side of their vessel and stepped out into the transformed world. At their feet, a tuna cactus stood as a symbol of life amidst the desolation. They ate its red fruit ravenously, savoring the taste of survival. Yet, as they surveyed their surroundings, they saw only water, stretching as far as the eye could see.
They retreated back into the ark as night fell, seeking shelter from the unknown. They slept – a night, a month, a year, perhaps even a century – time lost all meaning in the aftermath of the flood. When they finally awoke, the water had receded, revealing a landscape reborn. The valleys were lush with vegetation, and the air was filled with the sweet melodies of birdsong.
Overjoyed by the miraculous transformation, Suha and his wife descended from the slopes of The Ark On Superstition Mountain, the very place where their ark had come to rest. They ventured into the valleys below, where they lived for a thousand years, becoming the progenitors of a great tribe. This legend is the source of many Pima beliefs.
The Ark On Superstition Mountain holds a central position in their mythology. However, the restoration of the world did not signify the complete eradication of evil.
A malevolent entity known as Hauk, a devil dwelling in the mountains, emerged to plague the Pima people. He stole their daughters and murdered their sons, sowing fear and chaos among the community. One day, as the women were spinning flax and cactus fiber and the men were harvesting maize, Hauk descended upon the settlement and abducted another of Suha’s daughters. This act pushed the patriarch’s patience to its breaking point. He vowed to slay the devil and rid his people of this terrible threat.
Suha meticulously observed Hauk’s movements, determined to discover how he entered the valley. He silently followed the devil into the heart of The Ark On Superstition Mountain. He then devised a plan. He laced the cactus wine, which his daughter was forced to serve Hauk, with a potent drug. As the fiend succumbed to the effects of the potion, Suha emerged from his hiding place and struck him down, crushing his skull and ending his reign of terror.
While some of the devil’s scattered brains became the seeds of future evil, the world was undeniably a better place after Hauk’s demise. Suha, having saved his people from both the flood and the mountain devil, became a revered figure, a symbol of strength, wisdom, and unwavering devotion.
Suha continued to guide his people, teaching them essential skills and principles. He taught them to construct adobe houses, to cultivate the land using shovels and irrigation techniques, to weave cloth, and to avoid the destructive path of war. He instilled in them the values of community, cooperation, and respect for the natural world.
However, even in his wisdom, Suha foresaw a dark future. On his deathbed, he prophesied that his people would eventually succumb to arrogance, driven by wealth and a lust for the lands of others. He predicted that they would wage wars for personal gain, forsaking the peaceful ways he had taught them.
When that time came, Suha warned, another flood would engulf the earth, and no one would be spared. The wicked would vanish, and the righteous would leave the earth to dwell in the sun, abandoning the world to its self-inflicted destruction.
This prophecy has profoundly shaped the Pima worldview. They believe that Cherwit Make still resides within The Ark On Superstition Mountain, patiently awaiting the culmination of human wickedness before unleashing the dammed sea upon the earth. This belief has instilled in them a deep respect for the mountain and a cautious approach to its slopes. Many Pima people avoid crossing the range altogether, fearing that they might inadvertently hasten the arrival of the prophesied deluge.
The legend of the ark on Superstition Mountain serves as a powerful reminder of the Pima people’s history, their values, and their profound connection to the land. It is a story that speaks of creation, destruction, redemption, and the enduring struggle between good and evil. It is a tale that continues to resonate with the Pima people today, shaping their understanding of the world and their place within it. The Ark On Superstition Mountain is more than just a landmark; it is a living testament to the enduring power of myth and the enduring strength of the human spirit.