Mastamho facts for kids

Mastamho, sometimes called Mustamho, is a very important figure in the stories of the Mohave people. The Mohave are a Native American tribe who have lived for a long time near the Colorado River in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert. Mastamho is seen as the creator god who helped bring the first Mohave people into the world.

Who is Mastamho?

Mastamho is known as a "creator deity," which means he is a god believed to have created the world or the first people. In Mohave beliefs, he is the grandson of the Earth Mother and the Sky Father. The Earth Mother is a powerful spirit connected to the land, similar to Pachamama in some South American cultures. The Sky Father represents the heavens.

Mastamho's Family

Mastamho was the son of a powerful being named Matavilya. He also had a sister, Frog Woman, and a brother named Kaatar. This family plays a big part in the traditional stories and beliefs of the Mohave people.

Where We See Mastamho

Mastamho is shown in ancient artworks called the Blythe Intaglios. These are huge figures carved into the desert ground near Blythe, California. In these carvings, Mastamho is often shown with his arms stretched out wide. This pose is thought to mean that he is protecting his people from harm or destruction. These large figures are a special way the Mohave people remember their creator.