Deep within the heart of Arizona, amidst the rugged terrain and towering peaks, lies a land steeped in ancient lore. The Pima people, a Native American tribe with a rich history and profound connection to the desert landscape, have passed down through generations a captivating tale of creation, destruction, and the enduring power of prophecy. This is the legend of The Ark On Superstition Mountain, a story that echoes the biblical narrative of Noah’s Ark, yet is uniquely woven into the cultural fabric of the Pima.
The narrative begins with Cherwit Make, the Earth-Maker, a deity embodied by a butterfly of immense power and significance. According to Pima tradition, Cherwit Make descended from the celestial realm, fluttering down from the clouds to the sacred Blue Cliffs. These cliffs, located at the confluence of the Verde and Salt Rivers, represent a pivotal point in the Pima creation story. It was here, from his own sweat, that Cherwit Make fashioned the first human beings.
As the population grew, a darkness began to permeate the hearts of the people. Selfishness, discord, and a general lack of harmony plagued the land. Cherwit Make, deeply disappointed by the corruption of his creation, resolved to cleanse the world through a devastating flood.
However, before unleashing his wrath, Cherwit Make, in his benevolence, offered a chance for redemption. Speaking through the voice of the north wind, he implored the people to embrace honesty and cultivate peace amongst themselves. The message was relayed by Suha, a prophet and wise man, who served as an intermediary between the divine and the mortal realm.
Initially, Suha’s pronouncements were met with ridicule and scorn. The people dismissed his words as the ramblings of a fool, failing to grasp the gravity of the impending disaster. Undeterred, Cherwit Make sent forth warnings through the east and west winds, each reiterating the call for reform and emphasizing the dire consequences of continued transgression. But the people remained obstinate, deaf to the pleas of the divine.
Finally, on the fourth night, the south wind whispered a secret into Suha’s ear. He alone, among all the people, had remained righteous and true. Therefore, he would be spared from the coming deluge. The south wind instructed Suha to construct a hollow ball from spruce gum, a natural resin found in the region. This spherical vessel would serve as his ark, providing refuge during the cataclysmic flood.
Without hesitation, Suha and his wife embarked on the arduous task of gathering spruce gum. They diligently collected the resin, melting and shaping it until they had fashioned a large, rounded ark. To ensure stability and sustenance during their long journey, they ballasted the ark with jars of nuts, acorn-meal, water, and preserved meats of bear and venison.
On the appointed day, Suha and his wife stood on the ledge where their ark rested, gazing with sorrow upon the verdant valleys below. The air was filled with the joyous songs of harvesters, unaware of the impending doom. A wave of regret washed over them as they contemplated the destruction that was about to befall the land.
Suddenly, a hand of fire erupted from a cloud, striking the Blue Cliffs with a deafening thunderclap. This was the signal, the unmistakable sign that the flood was imminent. From all directions, dark clouds converged, unleashing a torrential downpour upon the earth.
Suha and his wife retreated into their waxen ball, sealing the portal behind them. The ark was immediately swept away by the rising waters, tossed and turned on the ever-deepening sea. For days, they endured the turbulent conditions, their stores of food and water dwindling.
Finally, the ark came to rest. With bated breath, Suha and his wife broke a hole in the side of their vessel and stepped out. They found themselves on the slopes of The Ark On Superstition Mountain. At their feet grew a tuna cactus, its red fruit offering a welcome source of sustenance. However, all around them lay a vast expanse of water, a testament to the destructive power of the flood.
They retreated to the ark for the night, unsure of what the future held. They slept for what seemed like an eternity – a night, a month, a year, perhaps even a century. When they finally awoke, the water had receded, revealing valleys teeming with lush vegetation. The air was filled with the melodious songs of birds, a symphony of life reborn.
Overjoyed, Suha and his wife descended from The Ark On Superstition Mountain, venturing into the valleys below. They lived there for a thousand years, becoming the progenitors of a great and thriving tribe.
However, the legacy of evil had not been entirely eradicated. A malevolent entity known as Hauk, a devil of the mountains, emerged to terrorize the Pima people. Hauk stole their daughters and murdered their sons, sowing fear and chaos throughout the land.
One day, while the women were spinning flax and cactus fiber and the men were gathering maize, Hauk descended upon the settlement and abducted another of Suha’s daughters. The patriarch, his patience exhausted, vowed to slay the devil and restore peace to his people.
Suha meticulously observed Hauk’s movements, discovering the path he used to enter the valley. He followed him silently into The Ark On Superstition Mountain, where he cunningly drugged the cactus wine that his daughter was to serve to him. When Hauk was sufficiently stupefied, Suha emerged from his hiding place and struck him down, crushing his skull.
Although some of Hauk’s brains were scattered, giving rise to other forms of evil, the world was undeniably a better place after his demise. Suha then dedicated himself to teaching his people the skills necessary for survival and prosperity. He taught them to build adobe houses, to cultivate the land using shovels and irrigation techniques, to weave cloth, and to avoid the destructive path of war.
As Suha approached his death, he foretold a grim future for his people. He warned them that they would become arrogant with wealth, covetous of the lands of others, and would wage wars for personal gain. When that time came, another flood would engulf the earth, and none would be spared. The wicked would vanish, while the righteous would ascend to the sun, leaving the earth behind.
This prophecy has had a profound impact on the Pima people, shaping their beliefs and influencing their behavior. They harbor a deep respect for The Ark On Superstition Mountain, believing that Cherwit Make still resides there, patiently awaiting the culmination of their wickedness before unleashing the mighty sea that lies dammed behind the range. So strong is this belief that many Pima people will not cross the Superstition Mountains, fearing that they might trigger the prophesied deluge.
The legend of The Ark On Superstition Mountain serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of morality, compassion, and respect for the natural world. It is a story that speaks to the enduring human struggle between good and evil, and the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness. This Pima legend continues to resonate, echoing through the canyons and valleys of Arizona, a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the profound connection between a people and their land.