The Wichita, also known historically as the Atakapan people, possess a rich and complex oral tradition that explains their origins, history, and beliefs about the cyclical nature of the world. Central to their worldview is the Wichita four cycles prophecy, a series of narratives divided into four distinct eras, each representing a significant stage in the world’s existence. These cycles, passed down through generations, outline the creation of the world, its subsequent transformations, its present state, and a foretelling of its eventual demise and rebirth. The prophecy reveals a sophisticated understanding of the interconnectedness of life, the consequences of human actions, and the enduring power of the spirit world.
According to Wichita tradition, their ancestors emerged from the sea, guided by a prophet or divinely inspired individual who imparted a code of conduct emphasizing the avoidance of evil. This foundational principle underscored their societal structure and shaped their understanding of morality. The Wichita believed in a supreme being, the author of all creation, who judges individuals based on their actions in life. Those who lived virtuously were destined to ascend to a higher realm, while those who succumbed to evil would descend into the shadows beneath the earth.
The Wichita also recounted a cataclysmic deluge, a great flood that engulfed the land, decimating humanity and animal life. Only those who sought refuge on high ground or mountains were spared from this devastating event. This narrative, common among many indigenous cultures, serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive forces of nature and the importance of respecting the environment.
The Wichita four cycles prophecy is the legend is structured around these four distinct periods:
- The First Era: Creation and the Dawn of Light
- The Second Era: Transformation and the Rise of Beings
- The Third Era: The Great Deluge and Renewal
- The Fourth Era: The End Times and Rebirth
The myths associated with the first two eras were considered the "old" or "true" tales, representing a time of pristine origins and powerful transformations. In contrast, the third era, describing the present existence, was viewed as the "new" era, marked by the consequences of past events and the challenges of maintaining harmony in a changed world. The fourth era, the prophesied end times, held both fear and hope, signaling the eventual destruction of the current world but also the promise of a new beginning.
The First Era: Creation and the Dawn of Light
The first era of the Wichita four cycles prophecy details the creation of the world. In the beginning, the land existed as a floating mass upon the waters. The Creator brought forth the first man and woman, gifting them with an ear of corn and bows and arrows, symbolizing sustenance and the means to provide for themselves. However, the world remained shrouded in darkness until the man successfully hunted and killed three deer. With the slaying of these animals, daylight flooded the earth, revealing a landscape populated with villages and animals.
The first man and woman embarked on a journey from village to village, instructing the people on proper conduct and the importance of living in harmony with one another and the natural world. Upon completing their task, the first man transformed into Morning Star, a celestial guide, while the first woman became Bright Shining Star, or the Moon, illuminating the night sky. This transformation highlights the Wichita belief in the interconnectedness of humanity and the cosmos, and the potential for individuals to achieve a higher spiritual state.
The Second Era: Transformation and the Rise of Beings
The second era of the Wichita four cycles prophecy describes a period of scattering and transformation. The people dispersed across the earth, rediscovering their inherent powers and exploring their potential for change. Various groups adopted distinct names and underwent metamorphoses, transforming into animals, celestial beings, and other entities. This era reflects the Wichita understanding of the fluidity of identity and the interconnectedness of all living things.
A significant event in the second era involved a woman giving birth to four monstrous beings whose heads reached the sky. The symbolism of these monsters is open to interpretation, but they likely represent the growing imbalance in the world and the potential for chaos and destruction. They might also symbolize the unchecked ambitions and desires of humanity, which threatened to disrupt the natural order.
The Third Era: The Great Deluge and Renewal
The third era of the Wichita four cycles prophecy recounts the great deluge, a cataclysmic flood sent to cleanse the world of evil, wrongdoings, and willful behavior. This devastating event served as a form of divine punishment, intended to restore balance and harmony to the earth. Only two individuals survived the flood, spared to carry on the legacy of humanity.
These two survivors were once again provided with an ear of corn and bows and arrows, symbolizing the tools for survival and the potential for a new beginning. They were taught various skills, including the proper method of constructing the grass lodge, a traditional Wichita dwelling. These skills represented the knowledge and wisdom necessary to rebuild their society and maintain their cultural traditions.
The two survivors imparted their knowledge of the ancient world to their children, who, in turn, carried out their instructions and received power from the animals. The animals taught them secrets and granted them special abilities, reinforcing the Wichita belief in the interconnectedness of humans and the animal kingdom. They were also informed of their mortality, but one individual who had died returned from Spirit Land, providing them with knowledge of the afterlife and solidifying their belief in life after death.
The Fourth Era: The End Times and Rebirth
The Wichita believed that the fourth period of the Wichita four cycles prophecy was rapidly approaching, a time of great upheaval and destruction that would once again transform their world. This belief, in a sense, proved to be an accurate prediction of the decline of their culture, as European colonization and forced assimilation significantly impacted their way of life.
According to the prophecy, this period would be characterized by the scarcity of resources and the inability of people to accomplish their goals. As the end approached, weeds would grow in place of corn, symbolizing the loss of sustenance and agricultural productivity. The animals, trees, and even running water would speak to men, indicating a breakdown in the natural order and a blurring of the boundaries between the human and natural worlds.
Incest would become rampant, and no more children would be born, signifying the collapse of social structures and the loss of future generations. A sure sign of degeneracy would be the loss of judgment, as people would no longer be able to distinguish between right and wrong. The animals would also fail to reproduce, further contributing to the overall decline of the world.
Ultimately, the world would become uninhabitable. However, the Wichita believed that when the end arrived, a great star would select an eminent man to explain to the people what was happening. All the stars and the sun would revert to their human forms, as they were in the earliest days, signaling the beginning of another cycle of four eras. This cyclical view of history and the promise of rebirth provided the Wichita with a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The Wichita four cycles prophecy is a testament to their enduring spirit and their ability to adapt and survive in a changing world.
In conclusion, the Wichita four cycles prophecy offers a profound glimpse into the worldview of the Wichita people, revealing their beliefs about creation, transformation, destruction, and renewal. The prophecy highlights their deep connection to the natural world, their understanding of the cyclical nature of time, and their unwavering belief in the power of the spirit world. While the prophecy foretells a period of decline and destruction, it also offers a message of hope, promising that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of rebirth and a new beginning.