The Epic Migration and Corn Mountain (Blog 9)

     In that long ago time when the Ashiwi (Zuni) first reached the Light of Day Place, they were instructed by their Rain Priests and the Divine Ones.  First they were taught how to use their Et'tone (Sacred Fetishes) in theurgy, the practice of compelling their gods to aid them in fulfilling their needs.  This was particularly applicable in rain dances and related ceremonials.  They were also instructed to make their way eastward to search for Itiwanna (the Center Place).  The Grand Saga of their Migrations was built around that search.
     From Chimik'yana'kya they made their way across mighty Colorado River and up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon from which they could see Sunha:K'yaba:chu Yalane (San Francisco Peaks).  This was the first site mentioned if the detailed migration saga.

Chimik'yana'kya, Zuni Place of Emergence and

Starting Point of the Epic Migration

       

Route of the Ashiwi Migration to the Center Place and Corn Mountain

Sunha: K'yaba:chu (San Francisco Peaks) First Site Mentioned

In the Ashiwi Migration Saga

    The ancestral sites of Sunh: K'yaba:chu Yalane and Kumanch an A'l Akkwe'a, Canyon Diablo seem to have been occupied only briefly before the Ashiwi Host moved on to Denatsali Ema. 

Denatsali Ema a Sacred Ceremonial Peak on the Migration Route of the Ashiwi

Denatsali Ema from the South

     At Denatsali Ema, Serro Prieto of the Spanish and Woodruff Butte

of the Anglos, the Ashiwi first entered the area that would become their

homeland--Cibola the land that surrounds Halona Itiwanna, the Middle

Ant Hill of the World. This was not a ignificant interim and they soon

moved on to Hatin Kiaiakwi, the area of the Listening Spring, where

much of their cosmography would be formulated.

Kothluwalawa or Hatin Kiaiakwi Area

Zuni River with Hatin Kiaiakwi in the Middle Ground

Home of the Koyemshi (North Stinking Springs Mountain)

     Kothluwalawa the Dance Village of the Dead is found within Hatin Kiaiakwi

the Listening Spring/Lake.  Anglos would call it Stinking Springs because of the

sulfur odor.  If you place your ear close to the water you can hear the drum beat

and foot falls of the dancing Masked Gods.  This is the Zuni Heaven where spirits

of departed Ashiwi reside.  Here the migrating Flesh had their most prolonged interim.  

     The first ancestral gods were born here.  After many years of searching the Kia'kwemosi , Sacred Rain Priest of the North, sent his son and daughter to look for suitable sites for new villages.  From an incestuous relationship were conceived the Korkokshi (Dancers for Good) and the Koyemshi (Mud Heads the Old Dance Men).  To the Zunis, South Stinking Springs Mountain is the Home of the Korkokshi and North Stinking Springs Mountain is the Home of the Koyemshi.

     Years later when the Flesh resumed their search for Itiwanna, while crossing the Zuni River some of the children became agitated and clawed at their mothers who dropped them into the water.  They were carried to the sacred lake where they became the Council of Masked Gods. Both groups of Ancestral Gods still come to Zuni to participate in dances for rain and other ceremonials.

The Coming of Koloowisi

     Sometime after the Ashiwi had discovered the Center Place, they received the first visit from Koloowisi the Plumed Sea Serpent.  The coming of Koloowisi is told in the video below.