Reading Notes W2 The Creation (Maidu), Part A

Earth Maker

•  Archetype of “The Creator”. The Earth Maker (also called Kodayanpe), in the story The Creation, is the benevolent creator of all things in Maidu mythology. He has the power to stretch the earth, as well as create the beings that will inhabit the world he has made.
• The Earth Maker created all creatures and humans in the world, two by two, and decided what country they would live in, instructing them not to take control of others' land. 

• According to the Maidu mythology, the Earth Maker found “something like a bird’s nest” (Maidu 25) and decided that he would stretch it into the land we know today. I found it interesting that they used a bird’s nest as the beginning of all land, but it makes sense because a nest is a place where things are born, and it is also made of mud and grass.

Meadowlark

•  Earth Maker proclaims “Telling old tales, humans will say of you: ‘In ancient times, the being who was Meadowlark, making the land and sticking it together in just that way built the nest from which the world was made.’” (Maidu 25)

• Meadowlark then sings about the Earth Maker’s creation, ignoring his own part in that creation and instead giving the praise to the Earth Maker.

• Meadowlark goes on to rejoice about the new world that has been created, saying that one could travel all around the beautiful land.

• Once again, the humble Meadowlark, when asked about whether the three should paint the world to make it more beautiful, ignores the huge contribution he has already made to the process, and says “I am a creature who knows nothing. You two wise beings will, yourselves, be making this world, thinking and talking together about it. Then, indeed, seeing whatever is bad, you two will make it good.” (Maidu 26)

• When Meadowlark leaves, he simply says “I am a creature who will travel like this.” (Maidu 27) And flew away.

Coyote

• Coyote is the Earth Maker's assistant of sorts in the Creation of the world. He helps to stretch the land, and also gives his opinion for what would be good in this new world.

• Coyote was the one who came up with the idea for painting the world to make it more beautiful to see.
• At this point, he recommends "I shall paint it with blood, and, in this world, there will be blood, and all kinds of creatures will be born with blood - deer - all kinds of birds - all kinds of creatures - all of them, without fail - every kind will be born with blood in this world...Then the world will be beautiful to look at." (Maidu 26)