Rising majestically from the seemingly endless expanse of the Wyoming plains, Devil’s Tower stands as a solitary sentinel, a geological marvel visible for perhaps a hundred miles. This immense, fluted rock formation, composed primarily of igneous rock, pierces the sky, its summit often veiled in clouds, creating an ethereal and awe-inspiring spectacle. Its dramatic presence has captivated the imaginations of people for centuries, giving rise to a rich tapestry of legends and lore, particularly among the Native American tribes who have called this region home for millennia.
Devil’s Tower’s sudden and imposing emergence from the relatively flat terrain gives the distinct impression of something pushed upwards from the earth’s depths. It’s a geological anomaly, a stark contrast to the rolling grasslands and scattered forests that surround it. This abrupt transition from prairie to towering rock face is part of what makes it so visually arresting and memorable.
The name “Devil’s Tower,” a moniker bestowed upon it by white settlers, is a source of contention and misunderstanding. The indigenous peoples of the region, who have a deep and spiritual connection to the land, have no concept of a "devil" in their traditional belief systems. The idea of a malevolent, supernatural being is a foreign import. For them, the natural world is imbued with spirits, both benevolent and challenging, but not governed by a singular force of evil.
Therefore, the European name, Devil’s Tower, is often regarded as a misnomer, a reflection of a cultural lens that fails to grasp the true significance of this sacred place. The name, born from misinterpretations and cultural differences, persists, though efforts are being made to acknowledge and promote the indigenous names and stories associated with the monument.
Despite the problematic origin of its current name, Devil’s Tower has become the commonly recognized designation for this impressive natural landmark. While it may be preferable to use the indigenous names out of respect for Native American heritage, the reality is that “Devil’s Tower” is the name most people readily associate with this geological wonder.
Many tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Kiowa, refer to the monument as “Bear Rock” or a variation thereof. This name stems from a prominent feature of the tower’s unique appearance: the deep, vertical striations that run down its sides. These parallel grooves resemble the marks of enormous claws raking against the rock face, leading to the association with a colossal bear.
The legend of Devil’s Tower and the origin of these distinctive markings is a captivating tale passed down through generations. It speaks of the power of prayer, the intervention of the Great Spirit, and the enduring connection between the Native American people and the natural world.
The story begins with two young boys who, in their youthful exuberance and playful wanderings, become lost on the vast prairie. Their adventure starts innocently enough. They are playing a game of shinny ball, striking the ball further and further away from their village. Then, their attention is drawn to the hunt, shooting arrows into the sagebrush.
Curiosity leads them further astray. They hear the rustling of a small animal and venture off to investigate. They discover a stream bed filled with colorful pebbles, and the allure of the glistening stones leads them to follow the water’s course.
Their explorations continue as they encounter a hill and, driven by the natural desire to see what lies beyond, they climb to the summit. On the other side, they spot a herd of antelope and, forgetting all sense of time and direction, they begin to track the animals.
Only when hunger pangs begin to gnaw at their bellies do the boys realize that they are lost. The familiar landmarks of their home have vanished, replaced by an endless sea of grass and sagebrush. They attempt to retrace their steps, but their efforts only lead them further into the wilderness.
As night falls, they find shelter beneath the branches of a tree, huddling together for warmth and comfort. They fall asleep, filled with fear and uncertainty.
The following days are a testament to their resilience. They continue to walk westward, hoping to find their way back to their village. They forage for food, eating wild berries, digging up wild turnips, and finding chokecherries. They quench their thirst with water from the streams they encounter.
Despite their efforts, they remain lost and alone. The longing for their parents, their aunts and uncles, their elder brothers and sisters, grows stronger with each passing day. They desperately wish for someone to find them and guide them home. But no one comes.
On the fourth day, a sense of dread washes over them. They feel as though they are being watched, followed. They scan the horizon and, in the distance, they spot a massive figure: Mato, the bear.
This is no ordinary bear; Mato is a giant grizzly of immense proportions. The boys, mere morsels in his eyes, are overwhelmed by fear. The bear has caught their scent and is driven by a primal hunger to devour them.
Mato advances, his massive form causing the earth to tremble with each step. The boys, realizing the imminent danger, begin to run, desperately seeking a place to hide. But the open prairie offers no refuge. The bear is faster, stronger, and relentless in his pursuit.
The boys stumble, their legs weakened by exhaustion and fear. The bear is almost upon them. They can see his gaping jaws, filled with rows of enormous, razor-sharp teeth. They can smell his hot, fetid breath, a harbinger of their impending doom.
In their moment of desperation, the boys remember the teachings of their elders. They know how to pray, and they call upon Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, the Creator of all things. "Tunkashila, Grandfather, have pity, save us," they cry out, their voices filled with fear and hope.
Suddenly, the earth begins to shake violently. The ground beneath their feet rises, lifting them upwards. A cone of rock emerges from the earth, ascending rapidly into the sky. The boys are carried upwards with it, rising higher and higher until they are perched atop a towering column of stone that reaches over a thousand feet into the air. This geological phenomenon is now called Devil’s Tower.
Mato, the bear, is thwarted in his pursuit. He watches in frustration as his intended meal disappears into the clouds. He is a giant bear, yes, so enormous that when he rears up on his hind legs, he can almost reach the summit of the rock. Almost, but not quite. His claws are as large as the lodge poles used to construct a tipi.
Driven by hunger and rage, Mato claws at the sides of the rock, desperately trying to climb to the top and reach the boys. His massive claws leave deep scratches in the rock face, creating the distinctive vertical striations that are visible to this day.
He tries every angle, every side, but the rock is too steep, too smooth. He scratches and claws until he is exhausted, his strength waning. Finally, defeated and frustrated, he gives up. The boys watch as the huge, growling, grunting mountain of fur disappears over the horizon.
The boys are safe, at least for the moment. But their predicament remains dire. They are stranded atop a towering rock formation, with no way to descend. They are human, not birds; they cannot fly.
In modern times, skilled mountain climbers have attempted to scale Devil’s Tower, using ropes, pitons, and other specialized equipment. Even with these tools, they have faced immense challenges. Some have managed to reach the summit, but they have found themselves trapped, unable to descend without assistance. They have had to be rescued by helicopter, a technology unavailable to the people of the past.
So, how did the two boys, stranded atop Devil’s Tower in the long-ago days, manage to return to their village? The legend does not explicitly reveal the answer.
However, it is inconceivable that the Great Spirit, having intervened to save the boys from the bear, would then abandon them to perish from hunger and thirst atop the rock. Some believe Wanblee, the eagle, a creature revered by the Native American people as a symbol of strength, wisdom, and spiritual connection, came to the rescue. Perhaps the eagle allowed the boys to grasp onto its powerful talons and carried them safely back to their village.
The legend of Devil’s Tower remains a powerful and enduring story, a testament to the spiritual connection between the Native American people and the land, the power of prayer, and the enduring presence of the Great Spirit. It is a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, hope and salvation can be found in the most unexpected places. This place is now a national monument, protected for all time so that all peoples can ponder the mysteries of Devil’s Tower.