Chinigchinix facts for kids
Chingichngish (also known as Quaoar) is a very important figure in the traditional stories of Native American groups in coastal Southern California. These groups are called the Mission Indians. Today, they include the Payómkawichum, Tongva, and Acjachemem peoples.
Chingichngish first appeared after the death of Wiyot. Wiyot was a powerful ruler of the first beings, but his sons poisoned him. Wiyot's death brought the idea of death into the world. After this, a creator spirit named Night divided the first human ancestors. He gave them different languages and territories.
In June 2002, a large space object called 50000 Quaoar was discovered far beyond Neptune. It was named after this important deity.
Understanding the Names of Chingichngish
Chingichngish has many names, including Quaoar, Ouiamot, Tobet, and Saor. The name Ouiamot sounds a bit like Wiyot, who was the ruler killed before Chingichngish appeared. Some believe Ouiamot might have been Chingichngish's childhood name.
The name Quaoar was first written down in 1852 by Hugo Reid. He spelled it Qua-o-ar. People have spelled and pronounced Quaoar in different ways over time. This is because the Tongva language and its stories are only partly known today. For example, some Spanish records spelled it Quaguar. Today, in English, it is usually said with two syllables, like "KWAH-wahr".
The Stories of Chingichngish
The traditional stories of these Native American peoples are not fully known. This is because Spanish missionaries arrived in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Many people became Christian during this time. Only a few stories were written down by researchers much later.
Chingichngish is seen in different ways in these stories. He is sometimes described as a creator god. Other times, he is a culture hero who taught people how to live. He also gave them laws. Some people even thought of him as a "prophet." After the Native Americans became Christian, Chingichngish sometimes became linked to the figure of Christ.
The first time Chingichngish was mentioned in writing was in the 1820s. A Franciscan missionary named Gerónimo Boscana wrote about the beliefs of the native peoples at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Later, a book was published with the title "Chinigchinich."
Some scholars believe that the beliefs about Chingichngish were a way for Native Americans to deal with the big changes brought by the missions. Others thought these beliefs might have started even earlier, from contact with European sailors.
A special part of the Chingichngish beliefs was the idea of "Chingichngish avengers." These were certain animals, like Raven, Rattlesnake, Bear, and Mountain Lion. People believed these animals watched humans and made sure they followed the rules. There were also special items used in ceremonies for Chingichngish. These included mortars (bowls for grinding) and winnowing trays (for separating grain).
