Cahuilla mythology
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Little is known of Cahuilla mythology.
For the Cahuillas, cosmological values and concepts were established when the world was created by Mukat. The Cahuilla creation story tells of the origin of the world, the death of god (Mukat), and the consequences of that death for humans (e.g., the need for death, social roles, and so forth). It also describes the basic concepts of supernatural power and its proper use in the contemporary world.
At the beginning of creation, all creatures were said to be much larger than they were today. These were called nukatem. Over time, the nukatem stopped being active and shrank, turning into natural objects such as mirages, rainbows, earth and other things.
Deieties
- Kutya'i - Spirit of wind. Mischieveious, nocturnal, steals clothing.
- Menily - Lunar deity
- Mukat - Creator
- Muut - Psychopomp, often depicted as an owl.
- Pemtemweha - Protector of animals, often seen as a white deer.
- Sungrey - Medicine, founded the spring Agua Caliente (Hot Water) in the desert.
- Taqwus - A trickster deity, he comes out at night to steal souls and cause mischief.