Tu cuk Story

"This is our homeland. This is the land of the Kumeyyay people. These songs were given to us because in an earlier time people were running around willy-nilly and not really paying attention to each other. They were not respecting each other. The creator took notice of this behavior and saw a need for a process to change the situation. He created a series of variation and sets of songs. Telling us, by example, different stories about different animals and different beings that are on this earth with us.

So, the Creator sent these songs with a very, very colorful beautiful bird. This bird, which is to bring the songs and also the dance that goes with it, is not quite what it appears to be. As it happened this bird messenger, with the gift from the Creator, is kind of a jealous person. He wanted to keep the songs and dances to himself.

Then, the Creator came down and told him that he has to give these gifts up. These gifts were not for him but for the people. The Creator told him, "You were sent here only to sing these songs and to show the people the dances. You will pass them out to all the people so the people could know what the correct way to behave like a true human being and not just run around treating each other with great indifference."So bird says, "OK. Fine, I'll do that." Creator went back home to his island just a short ways off the coast here. So, lo and behold this bird did the same thing again. He arrogantly said," I live here, Creator don't live here so I'm going to do what I want to do. I have no need to depend on anyone else and said "Well I'm going to keep these songs and if they want them than they're going to have to pay dearly for them."

So the Creator being what the Creator is, he knew about these ideas and plans and he came back and took away those beautiful colors and the beautiful plumage and the beautiful voice that this bird had.So, what came to be, is the bird we now recognize as the California crow. That is why today this bird can only squawk and why he is now only one color, dark. In today's society, we now come to another little bird. This little bird is humble, unassuming and very, very beautiful to this day. We call him Tu cuk in my language. Ashaw tu cuk. The Creator said to Tu cuk "You bring these songs to the people. I'll see that you will always be remembered."So, that bird immediately went to see the people and brought us these songs."

This is a 'aaknach (story) that shows the importance of Kumeyaay culture and how 'ashaa (birds) came to be the way they are today. The California crow was once greedy and did not respect others and lost his color and the ability to sing while the humming bird is one that brings people together with 'echaayaaw (songs). These songs are different stories about different animals and different beings that are on this earth with us. Telling us how to interact with each other in a way that is beneficial to ourselves as human beings but also telling us how to be beneficial to all living things. In Kumeyaay as I mentioned in last week's blog, nyechehaat (animals) are part of nature and are viewed to be very sacred and should be respected.

Here are a list of a few animals and what they symbolize in Kumeyaay culture.
'aashaa (Humming Bird) = something is going to happen and it is usually something good
hattepa (Coyote) = Seen as a trickster and can only be a bad sign if they are walking away from you and look at you over it's shoulder.
'u'uu (Owl) = messenger of the night and is a bad sign if it hoots four times only
nemully (Bear ) = gives strength and healing
'ihpaa (Eagle ) = give off spirituality because it flies close to the Creator
'ewii (Rattle Snake) = Guardian of the Earth, if you're good then the snakes won't bother you


As an activity for today's blog. I would like you to tell me:
1. What is your favorite kind of nyechehaat (animal)?
2. Why is this your favorite?
3. Describe what it looks and sounds like.
4. Would you ever want to be like this animal?
5. Search a picture online for the animal or draw a picture of it.

Last of all..remember to have fun with it! =)