Atahensic is an Iroquois sky goddess. Atahensic is associated with marriage, childbirth, and feminine affairs in general.[1]

According to legend, at the time of creation, Atahensic lived in the Upper World, but when digging up a tree, it left a hole in the ground that led to a great sky, under which was water. Atahensic fell through this hole. After her fall, birds carried her down the hole onto the water. A giant turtle then emerged from the underground waters for her to rest on. She then gave birth to Hahgwehdiyu and Hahgwehdaetgah, twin sons. Hahgwehdaetgah, the evil twin, killed Earth Mother by bursting out of her side during birth. Hahgwehdiyu, the good twin, then planted a seed into his mother's corpse. From this seed grew maize, as a gift to mankind. Hahgwehdiyu then took his mother's head and flung it in the sky, which became the Sun.

This [Atahensic] is the Huron name for the first mother, and not that of the (confederated) Iroquois. The Senecas generally give this character no name other than Eagentci, literally old woman or ancient bodied.[2]

References

  1. Douglas M. George-kanentiio (1995).Skywoman: Legends of the Iroquois. Clear Light Books ISBN 978-0-940666-99-3
  2. Converse, Harriet Maxwell (1909). Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, vol.36. p. 31. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
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