Sosondowah facts for kids
Sosondowah is a famous hero from the Iroquois people's myths and legends. He was known as a very skilled hunter. His most famous hunt involved a special, magical elk called Oh-je-a-neh-doh. Sosondowah's story is a mix of adventure, love, and a bit of sadness.
Who is Sosondowah?
Sosondowah was a powerful hunter in Iroquois stories. He was especially famous for tracking a supernatural, or magical, elk named Oh-je-a-neh-doh. This elk was not like regular animals; it had special powers. Sosondowah's hunting skills were so great that he could even follow such a creature.
Captured by Dawn
One day, Sosondowah was captured by a goddess named Dawn. Dawn needed a watchman, someone to keep an eye on things, and she chose Sosondowah for this important job. He was meant to stay with her and help her watch over the world.
A Special Love Story
While working for Dawn, Sosondowah met a human woman named Gendenwitha. Her name means "she who brings the day." Sosondowah fell deeply in love with Gendenwitha. He wanted to be with her, but he was tied to his duty with Dawn.
To try and win Gendenwitha's heart, Sosondowah used his special abilities.
- In the spring, he would sing to her as a beautiful bluebird.
- In the summer, he changed into a blackbird and continued to sing his songs of love.
- In the autumn, he became a powerful hawk. As a hawk, he tried to take Gendenwitha with him up into the sky, hoping they could be together.
The Morning Star
However, Dawn found out about Sosondowah's attempts to leave with Gendenwitha. To stop him, Dawn tied Sosondowah to her doorpost. This meant he could not leave his post as her watchman.
Then, Dawn did something even more powerful. She changed Gendenwitha into the Morning Star. This way, Sosondowah could watch her every night as she shone brightly in the sky. But he could never be with her. His job was to watch, and hers was to shine, always separate.
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