The Awakening Coast: An Anthology of Moravian Writings from Mosquitia and Eastern Nicaragua, 1849-1899

8. Mythology of the Miskito Indians

8 Mythology of the Miskito Indians Heinrich Ziock, “Einiges aus der Mythologie der Moskito-Indianer” [A Few Notes on Miskito Indian Mythology], Missions-Blatt aus der Brüdergemeine (1884): 46–49, 128–32. This paper was written by missionary Heinrich Ziock, a German born to missionary parents in St. Croix in 1846. He and his wife arrived in Mosquitia in 1876. Mrs. Ziock died around 1880 while the couple was at Wounta Haulover. Ziock remained in Mosquitia for more than twentyfive years and became a leading translator. As this report reveals, he also developed a keen interest in ethnohistory and what today might be called traditional culture. Indeed, until the arrival of the Englishman George R. Heath around 1900, no missionary was a better ethnologist than Heinrich Ziock. This is the first of four documents penned by Ziock that we include in this anthology, and each seeks to capture and represent Miskito culture from a Miskito point of view. He made the effort to learn that culture, as many missionaries did, to facilitate the conversion process, but unlike other missionaries he also made an effort to write things down for posterity. While later missionaries, twentieth-century ethnographers, and contemporary Miskito scholars have commented on the Miskito belief system, this is the earliest published account that systematically sought to describe each of the leading Miskito spirits. Like all Indians, the Moskitos are devil worshippers, if not necessarily in the fullest sense of the term. The actual adoration of demonic spirits only takes place among the sukias, or sorcerers. 122 | Mythology of the Miskito Indians 1. The Reign of Won Aisa There are two different spirit realms, each of which has its master. Presiding over one of these kingdoms is Won Aisa (“Our Father”). He lives above the clouds (Kasbrike Purara) in a place called Won Aisa Watla, meaning “Our Father’s House.” Won Aisa is the creator of that other moiety, that is, mankind. The plant kingdom and the good and useful earth are also his handiwork. He rules the world, protects its creatures, but is not sovereign in the affairs of man, since the devil also has a say in these matters. For every man, Won Aisa has determined a piu or moment in which that man must give up his life. For many, however, this time never arrives, for they are captured by the devil and his ulassa. An illness obviously originating from natural causes and with a natural progression is “Won Aisa sickness”1—that is, an illness sent by God. To the contrary, an infirmity of sudden onset—for example, fainting or convulsions—originates from the influence of an ulassa. Said being has struck them a “living blow,” also called a “piercing.” Won Aisa is a beloved, kindhearted father who delights in his children, however ill-behaved they may be. There is no concept of an angry, punishing God. He earns respect to the degree that he brings success in the hunt. When an Indian goes fishing, he stands at the bend of the river and spits, then says, “Won Aisa, give me a huge, tasty fish.” This ceremony is repeated when the hook is cast out, and again when the fishing is over. In earlier days, when I lived here alone, I often went fishing with the people in order to better understand their customs. One day I went out with an old man, but we failed to catch anything. After trying all possible tricks and visiting all the favorite fishing holes, he stood up, spit into the water, and cried out in a contemptuous voice, “You disgusting fish!,” and rowed home immediately. Won Aisa has an abundance of Ulassa pini—white or benevolent spirits who aid human beings and who try to guard against the evil ulassa. 2. The Devil’s Kingdom Won Aisa’s kingdom stands in opposition to that of the evil spirits. Their number is legion. This region too has its overlord, whom the Indians, using a corruption of the English word “Devil,” call “Debel.” It seems that this Mythology of the Miskito Indians | 123 word was initially unknown to them, and only entered into their language through contact with foreigners. This other half of the universe came into being through Debel’s hand. All evil and seemingly useless animals like jaguars, snakes, and above all toads are his creatures. Like all evil ulassa in general, he is the sworn...