Navajo White Shell Woman Rattle - Marvin Jim & Grace Begay (#171)

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Whiteshell Woman lived with Changing Woman (who, because she was created at the same time, was her sister) on Whirling Mountain, and was the mother of the younger "Twin", Child-of-the-Water.  Whiteshell Woman figured in the lives of the hero Twins only in a minor capacity.  One day, after the Hero Twins had been discovered and Big Monster had been deceived by Changing Woman, Whiteshell Woman went to the top of a hill to look about and saw a number of monsters hurrying in the direction of their home.  She reported to her sister, who raised such a storm that the monsters had to turn back.  When Changing Woman was ready to depart for the west, Whiteshell Woman chose to go to  La Plata Mountain.  For five days she wandered about, consumed with loneliness, until Talking God and the other gods took pity upon her and created more people from corn.

Whiteshell Woman took the young man and woman to her hogan, which has since become a little hill.  She married Corn Boy to Heat Girl and Corn Girl to Mirage Boy, who started new lines of decent.  Their story helps to explain the origin of the Navajo clans.  Sometime later Talking God came to Whiteshell Woman and spoke secretly to her.  One of her favorite granddaughters stayed with her that night.  After the second visit of Talking God, she said to the child, "I am going to leave you.  The gods have sent for me, but I shall not forget your people.  I shall often come to watch over them and be near them.  Tell them this when they waken.

The next morning the people looked for her in vain.  They believed she had gone to Whirling Mountain where she stayed for a time before she went to La Plata Mountain to dwell forever in the house of whiteshell that had been prepared for her.  The little girl had a dream in which Whiteshell Woman came to her and said, "My grandchild, I am going to La Plata to dwell.  I would take you with me for I love you, were it not that your parents would mourn for you.  But look always for me in the gentle rain when it comes near your dwelling, for I will be in it."

Gladys A. Reichard . Navajo Religion . Pg. 495-6

About the artist:

Marvin Jim and Grace Begay - Animal Sculptures:
Based upon the Navajo creation tales, the sculptures of Marvin Jim reflect a time long ago, when animals and humans walked and worked together to create a new world. These traditional stories speak of conversations among all beings, of behaving in a manner of mutual respect and of all beings having an equal position in the community. These legends are an essential part of the Navajo culture. The tales are of universal interaction, compassion and tolerance; the things necessary to live a balanced existence. See full biography | See all items by Marvin Jim and Grace Begay

Related categories:

Marvin and Grace Jim Navajo Folk Art Story Animals See all items in this category
Marvin and Grace Jim Animal Folk Art Rattles See all items in this category

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