Native American Legends
Tokpela, The First World
A Hopi Legend
The first world was Tokpela (endless space)
Before that, there was only the Creator, Taiowa. All else was endless
space, There was no beginning or end, no time, no shape, no life.
There was only an immeasurable void that had its beginning and end,
its time, its shape, and its life in the mind of Taiowa.
Then the infinite Taiowa conceived the finite.
First, He created Sótuknang to make it manifest.
Taiowa said to him, "I have created the first power and instrument
as a person to carry out my plan for life in endless space. I am
your Uncle. You are my Nephew. Go now and lay out these universes
in proper order so they may work together in harmony according to
my plan."
Sótuknang did as he was commanded. From endless space he
gathered that which was to be manifest as solid substance, molded
it into forms, and arranged them into nine universal kingdoms: one
for Taiowa the Creator, one for himself, and seven universes for
the life to come.
When he was finished, he went to Taiowa and asked, "Is this
according to your plan?"
"Yes," said Taiowa, "it is very good. Now do the
same for the waters, dividing them equally upon the surfaces of
each of these universes."
So Sótuknang gathered from endless space that which was
to be manifest as the waters. He placed them on the universes so
that each would be half solid and half water.
When he was finished, he went to Taiowa and asked, "Is this
according to your plan?"
"Yes," said Taiowa, "It is very good. The next thing
now is to put the forces of air into peaceful movement about all."
So Sótuknang did. From endless space he gathered that which
was to be manifest as the airs. He made them into great forces,
and arraigned them into gentle, ordered movement around each universe.
When he was finished, he went to Taiowa and asked, "Is this
according to your plan?"
"Yes," said Taiowa, "you have done a great work
according to my plan. You have created the universes and made them
manifest into solids, waters, and winds, and put them in their proper
places. But your work is not finished. Now you must create life
and its movements to complete the four parts (Túwaquachi)
of my universal plan."
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