Ochwiay Biano facts for kids

Carl Jung, a famous Swiss doctor who studied the human mind, once wrote about a special conversation he had. This talk was with an elder from the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. The elder's name was Ochwiay Biano, also known as Chief Mountain Lake. This meeting helped Jung understand different ways people think about the world.

A Conversation About Thinking

During their talk, Ochwiay Biano shared his thoughts about white people. He said they seemed "cruel" and "mad." He noticed their thin lips, sharp noses, and worried faces. He felt they were always searching for something, restless and uneasy.

Jung asked him why he thought white people were "mad." Ochwiay Biano replied that white people say they think with their heads. Jung was surprised and asked, "What do you think with?" The elder then pointed to his heart and said, "We think here." This showed a big difference in how they saw thinking and understanding life.

The Taos Pueblo Way

Ochwiay Biano's words helped Carl Jung see that people from the Taos Pueblo had a deep connection to their culture and beliefs. They understood their place in the world. This was different from the constant searching he observed in many Western people.

Welcoming the Sun

Later, in 1925, Jung learned more about the Taos Pueblo people's traditions. Like the Elongyi tribe in Kenya, they had a unique morning ritual. They would wake up and spit into their palms. Then, they would offer this "soul-stuff" to the sun. This was a way to welcome the sun and show their connection to nature. It was a form of "sympathetic magic," meaning they believed their actions could influence the world around them.

This practice showed Jung how deeply connected the Taos Pueblo people were to their environment and spiritual beliefs. He was amazed that they seemed to know exactly why they were there, living in harmony with their traditions.