File:The myths of Mexico and Peru (1913) (14597446279).jpg

Identifier: mythsofmexicoper01spen (find matches)
Title: The myths of Mexico and Peru
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Spence, Lewis, 1874-1955
Subjects: Indians of Mexico Indian mythology Indians of Mexico Indians of South America Indian mythology Indians of South America
Publisher: New York, T. Y. Crowell company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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surname Puma-Snake,and the beautiful deer-goddess, or Jaguar-Snake,appeared. They had human form, and with theirgreat knowledge (that is, with their magic) they raiseda high cliff over the water, and built on it fine palacesfor their dwelling. On the summit of this cliff theylaid a copper axe with the edge upward, and on thisedge the heavens rested. The palaces stood in UpperMixteca, close to Apoala, and the cliff was called Placewhere the Heavens Stood. The gods lived happilytogether for many centuries, when it chanced that twolittle boys were born to them, beautiful of form andskilled and experienced in the arts. From the daysof their birth they were named Wind-Nine-Snake(Viento de Neuve Culebras) and Wind-Nine-Cave(Viento de Neuve Cavernas). Much care was givento their education, and they possessed the knowledgeof how to change themselves into an eagle or a snake,to make themselves invisible, and even to pass throughsolid bodies. After a time these youthful gods decided to make120
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Place where the Heavens Stood William Sewell ZAPOTEC CREATIONMYTH an offering and a sacrifice to their ancestors. Takingincense vessels made of clay, they filled them withtobacco, to which they set fire, allowing it to smoulder.The smoke rose heavenward, and that was the firstoffering (to the gods). Then they made a garden withshrubs and flowers, trees and fruit-bearing plants, andsweet-scented herbs. Adjoining this they made a grass-grown level place (un prado), and equipped it witheverything necessary for sacrifice. The pious brotherslived contentedly on this piece of ground, tilled it,burned tobacco, and with prayers, vows, and promisesthey supplicated their ancestors to let the light appear,to let the water collect in certain places and the earthbe freed from its covering (water), for they had nomore than that little garden for their subsistence. Inorder to strengthen their prayer they pierced their earsand their tongues with pointed knives of flint, andsprinkled the blood on the

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