Created to serve the gods, the Pte’ Oyate (the people of the Buffalo Nation) were lead by Wazi (Old Man) and his wife, Wakanka (Old Woman). Together they had a daughter named Ite,’ whose name means “face.” Ite’s beauty was admired even by the gods and soon Tate’ (the Wind) sought to make her his bride. Ite’s betrothal to Tate’ elevated her in status and made her the mother of the Four Winds. Wakanka, however, was not pleased by this union. Wakanka had wanted her daughter to marry Anpetu Wi (the Sun), as he as was significantly more powerful. Wakanka’s desire was to possess the immense powers of the sun. By marrying Sun, Ite’ and her family would be elevated to the same status of the gods. However, the flaw in this design was the fact that Sun was already married to Hanhepi Wi (the Moon).
The Deal
In order to elevate her daughter in the eyes of Sun, Wakanka conspires with the Trickster Iktomi, a spider-like and mischievous spirit who was actually the first son of Iyan. The Trickster is a facet of Native American religious mythology that has both human and supernatural qualities. Generally viewed in the negative light, the Trickster is often associated with an animal or an insect of particular cultural significance. Iktomi is often associated with the spider and is the primary Trickster figure in Lakota mythology. In Native American mythology, to strike a deal with a Trickster is often to get more than was bargained for.
Iktomi’s Plan
Iktomi agrees to help Wakanka in her quest to marry her daughter to Sun, with the caveat that Wakanka assist him in playing a joke on the gods. Together, they devise a plan to make Ite’ appear even more beautiful that Moon. It is at this point in the story that the underlying theme of jealousy is exposed; not merely the jealousy of one person over another, but between a god and mortal. Iktomi constructs a magic charm and presents it to Ite’ as a gift. Ite’ becomes obsessed with her own beauty and dedicates her very existence to its improvement so much so that she becomes neglectful of her children, the Four Winds. Iktomi then convinces Sun to sponsor a festival in honor of the human Ite’ and her beauty. Attended mainly by the gods, this feast was the staging point for Iktomi’s plan.
Seeking to stir up more controversy among the gods, Iktomi intercepts Moon as she enters the feast and convinces her that Ite’ is so stunning in her new dress that she now rivaled Moon as the most beautiful woman there. Iktomi then feigns outrage at the idea that a mere human could rival the beauty of a god. He convinces Moon to leave the party and adorn herself in even more stunning raiment to prove that she is the most beautiful. This decision leaves her place at the table vacant and Iktomi convinces Ite’ to sit next to Sun, abandoning her own husband, Tate’. When Moon arrives at the party she is shocked to see Sun fawning over the human Ite’ and storms off, noticeably affronted. This sparks a cosmic drama among the gods that will have an effect on the status of humans.
David M Jones and Brian L Molyneaux, Mythology of the American Nations. (London: Hermes House, 2006).
Gilbert Legay, Atlas of Indians. (Hauppage: Barron’s Educational Services, Inc., 1995)
Peter Matthiessen, ed., George Catlin: North American Indians. (New York: Penguin Group, 1989).
Mark St. Pierre and Tilda Long Soldier, Walking in the Sacred Manner: Healers, Dreamers, and Pipe Carriers—Medicine Women of the Plains. (New York: Simon and Schuster,1995).
Carl Waldman, Atlas of the North American Indian. (New York: Checkmark Books, 2000).
Carl Waldman, Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. (New York: Checkmark Books, 2006).
