Pomo religion facts for kids
The Pomo people are Native Americans from Northern California. Their traditional religion focused on powerful spirit beings. Two very important spirits were 'Kunula', the Coyote, and 'Guksu', a spirit healer. Guksu was believed to come from the south.
How the World Began
The Pomo people have many stories about how the world was created. One story tells about Coyote ('Kunula') and Cougar. They set up a sports game for their sons. Sadly, most of Coyote's children died during the game.
Coyote's last two sons chased a ball into a special building called a sweathouse. The Sun, who was a spirit being, lived there and killed them. Coyote was very clever and determined. He managed to get his sons' bodies back in a bag. It was very dark, so Coyote opened the bag. His sons' bodies created light and became the physical sun and the moon in the sky.
Another creation story involves Coyote and Lizard ('Hatanutal'). They were in a sweathouse near Upper Lake, California. Coyote took some willow and dogwood sticks. He painted them and stood them upright in the dirt. These sticks turned into human beings. But they had paws instead of hands. Coyote then put some hemp around them. The hemp became fleas that jumped onto the new humans.
Lizard thought people needed hands with fingers to be more useful. Coyote suggested they wrestle to decide. Lizard won the wrestling match. Because Lizard won, people were given fingers, and also the ability to speak.
Spirits of the World
Pomo traditions say there were six powerful spirits in the world. These spirits lived at the very edges of the world. One spirit lived in each of the four main directions. One lived in the sky above, and one lived in the earth below.
- Guksu was a spirit being who lived at the southern end of the world. He was also called Kuksu in different Pomo languages. The word also means a large mosquito-like insect. Guksu was known for healing. Pomo medicine men would pray to him. He looked like a normal human but had a very long, sharp red nose. He was usually kind. In special dances, people pretending to be Guksu painted their bodies black, or striped them red, white, and black. They wore big, feathery headdresses or a large feather tuft with a yellow headband. Their nose was made of feathers and painted red. They carried a staff and used a double bone whistle. Guksu would whistle but not speak.
- Calnis lived at the eastern end of the world. In ceremonial dances, Calnis was often with Guksu. He also looked human. But he was usually grumpy and would chase people and trip them. In dances, the Calnis dancer was painted completely black. He carried a black staff without feathers. On his head, he wore a feather cape that covered his face.
- Suupadax lived at the northern end of the world. This name is connected to a whirlwind.
- Xa-matutsi lived at the western end of the world. This name is connected to the Pacific Ocean and "water occupation." The Pacific Ocean was the western edge of the Pomo land. So, it was a very important part of their stories. The Pomo believed the world was surrounded by water on the west.
- Kai-matutsi lived on the earth and below. This name is connected to "earth occupation."
These spirits were thought to live in special sweat houses or dance-houses at each end of the world. Sometimes, these spirits could be harmful and even kill people. But if they were treated properly, they were kind and helpful.
The person who played Guksu in dance ceremonies was often a medicine man. He would also dress as Guksu when treating sick people. Sickness was seen as something Guksu came to take away. He would carry it back to the south.
Guksu Ceremony
The Guksu ceremony was a special event that lasted for six days. The dancers representing the spirits would appear once each day. During these six days, there was a ceremony called 'The Scarifying Ceremony'. In this part, children aged 5 to 10 went through tests of strength and courage. These tests were given by the dancers dressed as the spirits.
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