Sacred Texts Native American Hopi Index Previous Next
Buy this Book at Amazon.com
The Traditions of the Hopi, by H.R. Voth, [1905], at sacred-texts.com
Beautiful maiden persistently refuses all offers of marriage. Chief of north brings her bundle of presents, which she looks at, but returns bundle, saying she does not want it. Rooster goes as handsome youth to maiden who is pleased with him. Tells him to remain over night and return in four days, and then she will go to his house. On third day Mocking-bird, who has heard about Rooster, goes and asks maiden to marry him. She promises to marry him and speaks to mother about it. Rooster has seen Mocking-bird going upon mesa, and he also goes same day to house. They have altercation and agree to have contest in three days to see who knows most about making light. Rooster goes in search of assistance. While resting near báho shrine, somebody tells him to come in. He enters and finds many maidens. He is seated and given shelled corn to eat. He goes on his journey until he comes to large rock with opening. He crows repeatedly and door opens. He enters and finds many roosters and chicken, men, women, youths and maidens. After he has been fed, they ask what he has come for. He tells them about maiden and of his contention about light. They promise to try and do something for him, but that Mocking-bird understands something and has assistance of Kwátokwuu. In evening they sing and crow all night. After third crow, yellow dawn appears, and after singing two more songs sun rises. Chief says they have accomplished it right and that rooster can go home without fear. He returns running very fast. He is again fed by maidens. p. 302 They tie dry corn-husks to his tail. As he runs they rattle, and as he is scared he runs very fast. Next day he walks through village and then notifies Mocking-bird to come that night and watch him. In evening Mocking-bird goes to Rooster's house, and Kwátokwuu goes to his house. Rooster sings all night, and when he has nearly done Mocking-bird slips away and notifies Kwátokwuu, who spreads his large wings across eastern sky, completely covering up dawn, Rooster crows after singing last two songs, but it does not become light, so he has failed. Mocking-bird flies away and sun soon comes up. In evening Mocking-bird invites Rooster to come and watch him. He sings and whistles all night, and after last two songs suit rises. Maiden marries Mocking-bird. She hears two children, boy and girl. Boy is child of Rooster and girl of Mocking-bird. Women since then said to be children of Mocking-bird, and that is why they talk and jabber so much. Men are considered children of Rooster and that is why they are so gentle and docile.