Moon Eclipse Mask
The next day in the late afternoon, after the families finished their packing and securing the long houses for the summer, grandmother Qkizacool called Uma-kwee and the four other new women together to a quiet place under a madrona tree near the beach to tell them about the future. As a young woman she became very sick and almost died. In the night of her torment she saw the spirit trail to the happy hunting grounds. Ever since then she was known for her visions and dreams and advised young people about their life purpose.
“You will be known as the Weaver of Blessings. Your baskets will be prized through out the land. Many people will carry their burdens with pride and praise you even after you are gone,” she said to Kumi-cum while taking hold of her hands.
To Nahi she said, “In my dream I see a white deer licking your face. That means that you will care for the sick and your prayers for healing will be heard by the Creator. You will know what herbs are needed to make afflicted people well.”
She gave other girls similar blessings.
“What do you see for me, grandmother?” said Uma-kwee.
“I keep a blessing inside my chest for Butterfly Woman. When you were a small girl, I dreamed a dream about you and told no one about it until now.”
She reached out to stroked her hair.
“I looked and saw you casting a net into the ocean. When you drew it in, instead of a fish, he held a doll. As you played with the doll, it changed into a chief. His eyes flashed with dawn's light and whenever he spoke, the dead came back to life. This is the one we have heard who is coming to change the world.' ”
The other young women thanked the grandmother for the blessing, but Uma-kwee was troubled by the prediction that she be mother of a changer chief.
“My father is not of high rank. How am I to be a mother of a supernatural chief?”
Grandmother said her vision was as clear as the full moon shinning on the horizon before them and that Uma-kwee should be careful to accept marriage only to a man who would be a worthy father to such a powerful chief.
“Do not be afraid to tell your father to return the pre-engagement gifts,” she said.
“The Kaw-Seth brave set for the testing must prove himself rightly. Do not be too quickly swayed by the attraction of his youthful appearance or manly strength. You must follow the way of the Sky World and listen for the Great Spirit’s voice whispering in your ear to confirm that this suitor is the one who will bring happiness to you and your people. Listen and pray carefully. I will not be present to advise you or your father.”
Grandmother explained that she preferred to stay in the winter village that summer with the elderly people too old to travel and the nursing mothers.
“My hip bones ache from too many canoe voyages now and my memories of past summers are enough. I have baskets to complete here and have collected shells to embroider a wedding blanket. I will walk the beaches of Kwath-killum only in memories from now on. My seasons of going back and forth to the middle island are coming to an end and one of these days I will taste the strawberries that line the path to the land of the true dawn.”
Continued
“You will be known as the Weaver of Blessings. Your baskets will be prized through out the land. Many people will carry their burdens with pride and praise you even after you are gone,” she said to Kumi-cum while taking hold of her hands.
To Nahi she said, “In my dream I see a white deer licking your face. That means that you will care for the sick and your prayers for healing will be heard by the Creator. You will know what herbs are needed to make afflicted people well.”
She gave other girls similar blessings.
“What do you see for me, grandmother?” said Uma-kwee.
“I keep a blessing inside my chest for Butterfly Woman. When you were a small girl, I dreamed a dream about you and told no one about it until now.”
She reached out to stroked her hair.
“I looked and saw you casting a net into the ocean. When you drew it in, instead of a fish, he held a doll. As you played with the doll, it changed into a chief. His eyes flashed with dawn's light and whenever he spoke, the dead came back to life. This is the one we have heard who is coming to change the world.' ”
The other young women thanked the grandmother for the blessing, but Uma-kwee was troubled by the prediction that she be mother of a changer chief.
“My father is not of high rank. How am I to be a mother of a supernatural chief?”
Grandmother said her vision was as clear as the full moon shinning on the horizon before them and that Uma-kwee should be careful to accept marriage only to a man who would be a worthy father to such a powerful chief.
“Do not be afraid to tell your father to return the pre-engagement gifts,” she said.
“The Kaw-Seth brave set for the testing must prove himself rightly. Do not be too quickly swayed by the attraction of his youthful appearance or manly strength. You must follow the way of the Sky World and listen for the Great Spirit’s voice whispering in your ear to confirm that this suitor is the one who will bring happiness to you and your people. Listen and pray carefully. I will not be present to advise you or your father.”
Grandmother explained that she preferred to stay in the winter village that summer with the elderly people too old to travel and the nursing mothers.
“My hip bones ache from too many canoe voyages now and my memories of past summers are enough. I have baskets to complete here and have collected shells to embroider a wedding blanket. I will walk the beaches of Kwath-killum only in memories from now on. My seasons of going back and forth to the middle island are coming to an end and one of these days I will taste the strawberries that line the path to the land of the true dawn.”
Continued
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