A Native American Legend…
I really enjoy being in Yosemite. Last time that I was there was around June or July of 1999. Too long ago. Now, one of most well known places in Yosemite is Half Dome. I have plenty of – perhaps too many – pictures of it in my albums. And as I hinted in some of the photo descriptions that I wrote last night (all albums commented now, by the way), there is a tale behind it that I would like to share. There are other tales around other parts of Yosemite, too, but that’s besides the point of this post.
I first heard this at an evening show in Yosemite’s Curry Village one year while there. While I couldn’t remember much more than the face on Half Dome is that of a woman, I do remember it being an interesting story, as to how it was formed, even if it’s only a legend I can’t find as true. I had to search for it, but I found at least one version of it and I’m going to share it here. Credits go to the person who originally told it (to me) and the website I got it from – http://yosemite.ca.us. Note I’m not sure if this is the version or even the same legend that I heard, but I do remember part of it, so I’m guessing it is indeed the legend I heard.
Many, many generations ago, long before the Gods had completed the fashioning of the magnificent cliffs in the Valley of Ahwahnee, there dwelt far off in arid plains an Indian woman by the name of Tis-sa-ack and her husband Nangas. Learning from other Indians of the beautiful and fertile Valley of Ahwahnee, they decided to go there and make it their dwelling place. Their journey led them over rugged terrain, steep canyons and through dense forests. Tis-sa-ack carried on her back a heavy burden basket containing acorns and other articles, as well as a papoose carrier, or hickey. Nangas followed at a short distance carrying his bow, arrow and a rude staff.
After days and days of weary traveling, they at last entered the beautiful Valley of Ahwahnee. Nangas being tired, hungry and very thirsty, lost his temper, and without good reason he struck Tis-sa-ack a sharp blow across the shoulders with his staff. Since it was contrary to custom for an Indian to mistreat his wife, Tis-sa-ack became terrified and ran eastward from her husband.
As she went, the Gods looking down, caused the path she took to become the course of a stream, and the acorns that dropped from her burden basket to spring up into stalwart oaks. At length Tis-sa-ack reached Mirror Lake, and so great was her thirst that she drank every drop of the cool, quiet water.
When Nangas caught up with Tis-sa-ack, and saw that there was no water left to quench his thirst, his anger knew no bounds, and again he struck her with his staff. Tis-sa-ack again ran from him, but he pursued her and continued to beat her. Looking down on them, the Gods were sorely displeased.
“Tis-sa-ack and Nangas have broken the spell of peace,” they said. “Let us transform them into cliffs of granite that face each other, so that they will be forever parted.”
Tis-sa-ack as she fled tossed aside the heavy burden basket to enable her to run faster, and landing upside down it immediately became Basket Dome; next she threw the papoose carrier, or hickey, to the north wall of the canyon, and it became Royal Arches. Nangas was then changed into Washington Column, and Tis-sa-ack into Half Dome. The dark streaks that still mar the face of this stupendous cliff represent the tears that Tis-sa-ack shed as she ran from her angry husband.
And that is how Half Dome originated. Or so the legend says… The science version is, more or less, that a glacier cut at the granite over time, and, by chance, the face of the dome looks like a person. But I love stories, be it through word of mouth, books or even videos. And above is one such story I find to be very enjoyable.