Reading Notes: Native American Unit, Part A

I choose Spider's Creation from Southwest and California legends this week.  The story details the creation of the universe by the spider, Sussistinnako.  In the lower world, he is the only being all around.  Then, he goes on to create the other creatures and people.  The first he creates are the two mothers.

I think it would be interesting to explore Sussistinnako as a individual as opposed to a creator or powerful being.  My first question is if he was lonely, and if that is why he decided to create other beings?  So he would not be lonely?  Or was it a quest for power?  For peoples he could subjugate and be stronger than?

Image from EvolveConsciousness

The story forgets him after he divides the world, but I would really like to make my story revolve around Sussistinnako and his emotions.  I want to explore the feelings of loneliness while also tying in solipism if I can.  I think that idea really applies to this story and Sussistinnako.


Source: Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Katharine Berry Judson (1912).

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