The Iroqois Creation Story

Before the world, there were two worlds.  The first world, lower, was in shadow and chaos, ruled by the Great Monsters.  The upper world was inhabited by mankind.  One of the women became pregnant with twins, and as her labor commenced, she was in great distress.  Her relatives fashioned a mattress for her, and bade her to lie down on it.  She did so, but while she was resting, it slipped and fell into the dark world.  The monsters of the dark waters grew dismayed, and convened to determine what they should do. 

One of them searched the deep for land, and, retrieving it, brought it to the surface of the water.  The land sank, however, for nothing was supporting it.  As the woman, who was falling from a great height, drew closer, the Turtle volunteered, saying that he would support the earth.  So the monsters retrieved more land, and placed it on the back of the Turtle.  The woman landed comfortably on the back of the Turtle.  As she reclined there, her labor pains increasing, the Turtle expanded and became a great portion of earth. 

When the time of her labor arrived, one of the twins took it into his evil mind to deliver himself through her armpit.  His brother, he of the good mind, labored to prevent it, but in vain.  As the children were born, the woman died.  The children, however, sustained themselves without her, and dwelt in the dark region for many years.  In this time, the Turtle became the Great Island [North America], and the twins became men.

The monsters named the first man Enigonhahetgea [Bad Mind], for he had only evil in his heart.  The second child was named Enigorio [Good Mind], for he was of a gentle disposition, and loved light.  Enigorio desired to create light in the dark world, but his brother tried to prevent it. 

Enigorio took the head of his mother and made it into a great orb, which gave light during the day, placing it in the center of the sky, so that the Island could move around it.  He then took his mother's body and formed an inferior orb of light, so that it could give light upon the earth at night.  He also created numerous points of light, and placed them in the sky, so that they may govern seasons, days, and years.  Whenever the Great Light was extended, the monsters became displeased and hid themselves in the deep.  Enigorio continued to create, making rivers, lakes, and numerous animals.  He created these from the smallest to the largest, and bade them to fill the Island. 

"Who shall possess this land?" he asked himself.  So he created two images from the dust of the ground, male and female.  He breathed into them and gave them life, and called them Ea-gwe-howe [Real People].  Then the rains came, bringing vegetation, and gave the Ea-gwe-howe sustenance. 

In the meantime, Enigonhahetgea moved around the island, attempting to undo what his brother did.  He made great mountains and waterfalls with treacherous drops, so that the people may die.  He also created serpents and dangerous animals, which may harm the people.  He also made two images out of clay, and they became apes.

Enigonhahetgea took the animals that his good brother had created and enclosed them up in part of the earth, but Enigorio released them, so that they could benefit mankind.  Today, the drawings of these animals are located in the cave of their confinement.

Realizing that his brother thought only evil all the time, Enigorio bade Enigonhahetgea to walk with him.  In short time, however, Enigonhahetgea feared for his life, and, whimpering and tearful, begged for a contest.  They would fight, and whoever won would rule over the universe.  Enigorio accepted.

On the day of the contest, the two brothers fought ferociously, ripping out trees and mountains.  Finally, Enigorio pinned his brother to the earth with antlers.  As Enigonhahetgea died, his last words were that he would govern the souls of the dead.  He then sank into eternal darkness, where he became the Evil Spirit.  Enigorio then went to earth, where he visited the peoples there.  Afterwards, he retired.

-The Iroquois People