The Great Flood from the Mishomis Book by Eddie Benton Banai Although life was often hard for them, for many years the first people lived together in harmony with all of Creation. I regret to say that this harmonious way of life on Earth did not last forever. Men and Woman did not continue to give each other the respect needed to keep the Sacred Hoop of marriage strong. Families began quarreling with each other. Finally villages began arguing back and forth. People began to fight over hunting grounds. Brothers turned against brother and began killing each other. It greatly saddened the Creator, Gitchie Manito, to see the Earths people turn to evil ways. It seemed that the entire Creation functioned in harmony except for the people who were the last to be placed there. For a long time Gichie Manito waited hoping that the evil ways would cease and that brotherhood, sisterhood, and respect for all things would come to rule over the people. When it seemed that there was no hope left, Gichie Manito decided to purify the Earth. He would do this with water. The water came like a mush-ko-be-wun (flood) upon the Earth (aki) The flood came so fast that it caught the entire Creation off guard. Most all living things were drowned immediately, but some of the animals were able to keep swimming, trying to find a small bit of land which to rest. Some of the birds were caught in the air and had to keep flying in order to stay alive. The purification of the Earth with water appeared to be complete. All the evil that had built up in the hearts of the first people had been washed away. But how could life on Mother Earth begin anew? There are many Ojibwe teachings that refer to a man named Way-na-boo-zhoo. Some people have actually referred to Anishinabe or Original Man as Waynaboozhoo. Most of the elders agree that Waynaboozhoo was not really a man but was a spirit who had many adventures during the early years of the Earth. Some people say that Waynaboozhoo provided the link through which human form was gradually given to the spiritual beings of the Earth. Everyone agrees that Waynaboozhoo had many human-like characteristics. He made mistakes at times just like we did. But he also learned from his mistakes so that he could accomplish things and become better at living in harmony with the Earth. These things that Waynaboozhoo learned were later to become very useful to Indian people. He has been looked upon as kind of a hero by the Ojibwe. These Waynaboozhoo Stories have been told for many years to children to help them grow in a balanced way. In our teachings from now on, we will use the name Waynaboozhoo to refer to the spirit of Anishnabe or Original Man. The teachings about how a new Earth was created after the Great Flood is one of the classic Waynaboozhoo Stories. It tells of how Waynaboozhoo managed to save himself by resting on a chi-mi-tig (huge log) that was floating on the vast expanse of water that covered Mother Earth. As he floated along on this log, some of the animals that were able to keep swimming came to rest on the log. They would rest for a while and then let another swimming animal take their place. It was the same way with the winged creatures. They would take turns resting on the log and flying. It was through this kind of sacrifice and concern for one another that Waynaboozhoo and large group of birds and four-leggeds were able to save themselves on the great log. They floated foe a long time but could gain no sight of land. Finally, Waynaboozhoo spoke to the animals. I am going to do something, he said. I am going to swim to the bottom of this water and grab a handful of Earth. With this small bit of Earth, I believe we can create a new land for us to live on with the help of the Four Winds and Gitchi Manito. So Waynaboozhoo dived into the water. He was gone for a long time. Some of the animals began to cry for they though that Waynaboozhoo must have drowned trying to reach the bottom. At last, the animals caught sight of some bubbles of air, and finally, Waynaboozhoo came to the top of the water. Some of the animals helped him onto the log. Waynaboozhoo was so out of breath that he could not speak at first. When he regained his strength, he spoke to the animals. The water is too deep ...I never reached the bottom... I cannot swim fast enough or hold my breath long enough to make it to the bottom. All the animals on the log were silent for a long time. Mahng (the loon) who was swimming alongside the log was the first to speak. I can dive under the water for a long ways, for that is the way I catch my food. I will try to dive to the bottom and get some of the Earth in my beak. The loon dived out of sight and was gone for a
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 07:03:26 +0000
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