KEYWORDS: Sioux legend, spider legend, oral story, Indian legend, Indian story, oral tradition, myth, Unktomi and the Arrowheads.
SOURCE: Sioux oral story
The tapestry of Sioux tradition is rich with narratives that both entertain and instruct, weaving together the natural world with the spiritual realm. Among these tales, the story of Unktomi and the Arrowheads stands as a potent reminder of the interconnectedness of all things, the importance of respect, and the consequences of impulsive actions. This story, passed down through generations by word of mouth, offers a glimpse into the values and beliefs that shaped the lives of the Sioux people.
Imagine a time long ago, when the vast plains stretched unbroken beneath the sky, and the rhythm of life was dictated by the changing seasons and the movements of the buffalo. In this world lived two young men, inseparable companions who shared a deep bond of friendship. Yet, despite their close relationship, their personalities were as different as the sun and the moon.
One of the young men was known for his thoughtful nature. He possessed a keen mind, carefully considering the potential consequences of his actions before committing to them. He valued wisdom and sought to understand the deeper meaning behind the events that unfolded around him. The other young man, in stark contrast, was impulsive and reckless. He acted without thinking, driven by immediate desires and oblivious to the potential repercussions of his hasty decisions. He lived in the moment, often to the chagrin of his more cautious friend.
One day, as the two friends wandered across the rolling hills, they engaged in a familiar pastime – sharing stories of their romantic pursuits. They spoke of their encounters with young women in the village, recounting tales of courtship and affection. As they climbed a particularly steep hill, their conversation faded as they focused on the ascent. Reaching the summit, they paused to catch their breath and admire the panoramic view that stretched before them.
It was then that they heard a curious sound, a rhythmic ticking that resonated through the air. It sounded as if small stones or pebbles were being struck together with a steady, deliberate rhythm. Intrigued, they scanned the landscape, searching for the source of the mysterious sound.
Their eyes soon fell upon a remarkable sight. In the center of a small clearing, surrounded by a multitude of sharp, jagged flint arrowheads, sat a large spider. This was no ordinary spider; it was Unktomi, a powerful and often mischievous spirit figure in Sioux cosmology. Unktomi, the spider trickster, was known for his cunning, his ability to shape-shift, and his role as both a creator and a disturber of the natural order.
The two young men watched in fascination as Unktomi meticulously worked on a piece of flint. With focused precision, he hammered away at the stone, shaping it into a perfectly formed arrowhead. The rhythmic ticking they had heard was the sound of his tiny hammer striking the flint, each blow carefully placed to achieve the desired result.
The sheer number of arrowheads surrounding Unktomi was astounding. They were scattered across the clearing, a testament to his tireless efforts. Some were newly formed, their edges still rough and unpolished, while others were smooth and refined, ready to be attached to arrows and used for hunting or warfare.
The thoughtful young man recognized the significance of Unktomi’s work. He understood that these arrowheads were essential tools for his people, vital for survival. They were used to hunt the buffalo that provided food, clothing, and shelter. They were also used for defense, protecting the tribe from enemies and ensuring their safety.
"Let’s hit him," the impulsive young man blurted out, his voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of aggression. He saw Unktomi as a target, an opportunity for amusement, without considering the potential consequences of his actions.
The thoughtful young man immediately protested. "No," he said firmly, "he is not harming anyone. In fact, he is doing a great good, as he is making the flint arrowheads which we use to point our arrows." He understood that Unktomi’s work was essential for the well-being of their tribe and that disturbing him would be both disrespectful and foolish. Unktomi and the Arrowheads exemplified how a Sioux story often has a moral purpose.
However, the impulsive young man was not swayed by his friend’s reasoning. He scoffed at the suggestion that Unktomi should be left undisturbed. "Oh, you are afraid," he taunted, "He can’t harm you. Just watch me hit him." Driven by a need to prove his bravery and disregard for caution, he picked up an arrowhead from the ground.
Ignoring his friend’s pleas, the impulsive young man hurled the arrowhead at Unktomi. The projectile struck the spider on his side, causing him to roll over in pain. The young man laughed triumphantly, reveling in his reckless act.
Unktomi slowly righted himself and stood, his many eyes fixed on the two young men. He did not speak, but his gaze was intense, conveying a sense of both anger and disappointment.
"Well, let us be going," the impulsive young man said, still laughing, "as your grandfather, ‘Unktomi,’ doesn’t seem to like our company." He mocked the powerful spirit figure, showing a blatant lack of respect.
The two young men turned and started down the hill, the impulsive one still chuckling at his prank. But their descent was abruptly interrupted. Suddenly, the impulsive young man was seized by a violent fit of coughing. He coughed and coughed, his body wracked with spasms.
As he continued to cough, small particles of blood began to appear in his mouth. The blood came thicker and faster, gushing from his mouth in horrifying torrents. The young man struggled to breathe, his face contorted in pain and terror. Finally, the flow of blood became so overwhelming that he could no longer draw breath. He collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The thoughtful young man watched in horror as his friend succumbed to the mysterious illness. He realized that Unktomi’s wrath had been swift and deadly. Overcome with grief and fear, he hurried back to the village to report what had happened.
The villagers were stunned by the news. They gathered together, a mixture of disbelief and apprehension etched on their faces. The relatives and friends of the deceased young man rushed to the hill, where they found his lifeless body lying where he had fallen.
A council was convened to discuss the matter. The elders of the tribe, wise and experienced in the ways of the world, listened carefully to the thoughtful young man’s account of the events that had transpired. They understood that they were dealing with a powerful spiritual force, and they knew that they must proceed with caution.
The council decided to send for the chief of the Unktomi tribe. They knew that he alone could shed light on the meaning of these events and perhaps offer a solution.
When the Unktomi chief arrived, he listened patiently to the council’s account of the young man’s death. After hearing all the details, he explained that he could not intervene on behalf of the deceased. He stated that Unktomi had acted in self-defense, responding to a grave insult.
"My friends," the Unktomi chief explained, "seeing that your tribe was running short of arrowheads, I set a great many of my tribe to work making flint arrowheads for you. When my men are thus engaged, they do not wish to be disturbed. Your young man not only disturbed my man, but grossly insulted him by striking him with one of the arrowheads which he had worked so hard to make."
He continued, "My man could not sit and take this insult. So, as the young man walked away, the Unktomi shot him with a very tiny arrowhead. This produced a hemorrhage, which caused his death." The story of Unktomi and the Arrowheads serves as a warning to the Sioux people.
The council members were sobered by the chief’s words. They realized that the young man’s impulsive actions had brought about his own demise. They understood that respect for the natural world and the spiritual beings that inhabited it was essential for their survival.
The Unktomi chief then offered a gesture of reconciliation. "So now, my friends," he said, "if you will fill and pass the peace pipe, we will part good friends, and my tribe shall always furnish you with plenty of flint arrowheads."
The peace pipe was filled and passed around the circle, symbolizing a renewed commitment to harmony and cooperation. Unktomi Tanka, the Big Spider, finished his peace smoke and returned to his tribe.
From that day forward, the Sioux people held Unktomi in great respect. Whenever they heard a ticking sound in the grass, they would go out of their way to avoid disturbing him, saying, "Unktomi is making arrowheads; we must not disturb him."
Thus, it was that Unktomi Tanka had the respect of this tribe and was never after disturbed in his work of making arrowheads. The tale of Unktomi and the Arrowheads became a cautionary story, a reminder of the importance of respecting the natural world and the consequences of impulsive actions. It reinforced the values of thoughtfulness, respect, and the interconnectedness of all things within the Sioux tradition.