Overview
This lecture summarizes the Iroquois Creation Story, describing the formation of the world by twin brothers—one good and one evil—after a woman falls from the sky onto Turtle Island.
The Two Worlds and the Sky Woman
- There were originally two worlds: an upper world inhabited by humans and a lower world in darkness owned by a monster.
- A woman from the upper world became pregnant with twins and fell toward the lower world.
- Water creatures gathered to help her, and a turtle volunteered to support her.
- Earth was placed on the turtle's back, growing into a large island—Turtle Island—where the woman landed safely.
Birth of the Twins and Creation
- The woman gave birth to twin boys: Enigorio (the good mind) and Enigonhahetgea (the bad mind).
- The evil twin forced his way out of the woman's side, causing her death.
- The twins grew up on Turtle Island and began shaping the world using their contrasting powers.
Creation of the Universe and Humankind
- The good mind created the sun from the mother's head and the moon from the rest of her body.
- Stars were made to regulate time, and animals, rivers, and plants were created to populate the island.
- The good mind formed humans (Ea-gwe-howe) from dust and gave them life.
- The bad mind created dangerous landscapes and creatures to harm humans, but the good mind would restore balance.
- The bad mind’s attempt at creating humans resulted in apes instead of people.
The Battle Between Good and Evil
- The good and bad mind consistently opposed each other's creations.
- The bad mind tried to deprive humans of animals by hiding them, but the good mind released them.
- Eventually, the brothers agreed to a contest to determine who would rule the universe.
- After a fierce battle, the good mind defeated the bad mind using deer horns as a weapon.
- The bad mind became the Evil Spirit, vowing to have power over human souls after death.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Turtle Island — The land formed on the turtle’s back, representing the earth in Iroquois tradition.
- Enigorio (Good Mind) — The twin responsible for creating light, life, and order.
- Enigonhahetgea (Bad Mind) — The twin who created chaos, obstacles, and harm.
- Ea-gwe-howe — The first humans created by the good mind, meaning “real people.”
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the story and note the symbolic roles of creation, balance, and duality.
- Prepare for discussion on the cultural significance of the Iroquois Creation Story in Native American literature.