CONCOW MAIDU FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS/ 'Pano Maidem' by Eric Whollem/ 'THE BEAR DOCTOR'/ Traditional shamanic lore of the Native Americans of Butte County, California/ A cinderella cyber stamp from Maidem Kodom/ ARTIST STAMPS

Pano Maidem

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

Pano the Bear

These faux postage stamps feature a painting that I created with

gouache and parafin and plastic emulsion resist on paper.

'Pano Maidem' means Bear Man in the Concow Maidu dialect. The

black bear is very sacred to the Maidu; and today in Janesville,

California, the Maidu have an intertribal gathering each year for

what is called 'The Bear Dance.'

I once visited the roundhouse in Janesville with Adrian Smith, the

head of the Butte County Tribal Council, back in the 1970's. He was

'Bear,' or lead dancer at one of the Bear Dances. From time to time

different people are chosen as lead dancer.

There are different Bear Doctors in Maidu tradition. The Grizzly

Doctors were greatly feared, but the Black Bear Doctors were

healers. Adrian told me that 'everyone is a doctor.' That is to say

everyone has a special 'power' or abiltiy. Almost everyone is a

dreamer.  'Netdim' means dreaming. The dream is the sacred unity

from which cultural continuity extends. The inititates of the Dream

Society are shamans, or doctors; but the more advanced doctors

are called Yeponi.

Kuksu is the name of the Dream Society, or traditional religious

organization of the Concow Maidu. Moki is the head priest of the

Kuksu Dream Lodge. The Kuksu idea began in Oroville, California

but subsequently spread to other Native American groups across

the state: the Wintun, the Cato, the Pomo, and the Miwok.

______________

Readers interested in my posts on Shamanism might be interested in the following:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/shamanism

To read what I have to say about the Maidu Indians view this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

Those interested in Dreaming may want to see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogpspot.com/search/label/dreaming

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Shamanism; mythographic art; mythology; Maidu Indians; dreaming.

CONCOW MAIDU FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS/ An earth painting made from natural earth, ash, and charcoal/ 'Voice of the Turtle' by Eric Whollem/ THE MAIDU CREATION STORY/ A cinderella cyber stamp edition from the micronation of Maidem Kodom

Voice of the Turtle

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

Voice of the Turtle: an Earth Painting of Ultrama

Ultrama is the Turtle from the Concow Maidu story of creation.

Legend has it that Ultrama dove to the bottom of the sea to bring

up mud, which was used to make the world.

According to Tom Epperson, Maidu storyteller, the realm in which

Ultrama acted was called Kodomyeponi, which I translate as The

World of Shamans. 'Kodom' means 'land;' and 'yeponi' means

'shaman' or 'doctor.'

Maidem Kodom is my own name for the 'Country of the Maidu.'

                                  A video about my earth paints.

The painting on the stamp above was made from natural earth

pigments, charcoal and ash, gathered and processed by myself.

I showed this painting at a Pow Wow in Oroville, California back

in the 1980's when I conducted a workshop on making paints from

earth gathered in nature. Later the work was exhibited at Pacific

Western Traders in Folsom, California.

_______________

Readers interested in Earth Paints should see my posts on the subject:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

A video about the Concow Maidu                      

To view my articles on Maidu Indians see this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

BELOW IS A VIDEO

SHOWING MORE STAMPS OF

MAIDEM KODOM

SPIRIT ANIMALS OF THE CONCOW MAIDU     

             

Those interested in my other Stamp creations may view my posts here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/artist%20stamps

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Earth paints; mythology.

'A SHORT HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL STAMPS'/ Concow Maidu Faux Postage Stamps/ 'Ultrama' by Eric Whollem/. . . The story of how Turtle created the world from mud from the bottom of the sea/ A cinderella stamp from the micronation of Maidem Kodom. . . & the 'Mooretown Provisional Post Office'/ Detail from the mixed media painting, 'Garden of the Turtle'/ Gouache and earth paints on paper/ A CYBERSTAMP EDITION/ California Native American Creation Myth

Ultrama

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

The Concow Maidu Story of Creation on a Faux Postage Stamp

A SHORT HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL STAMPS

Quite a few Native American tribal stamps have been created by

Indian Nations. Some of them are reservation hunting permit stamps.

Such items are attractive to stamp collectors. Duck Stamps, issued by

the US government have a huge following among collectors. And as

for cinderella faux postage stamps, there are societies and clubs
dedicated to their study.

The first Native American tribal stamps were issued by the Rosebud
Sioux in the 1950's. These were hunting permit stamps.

The Crow Creek Sioux have issued a number of Duck Hunting stamps.
A link at the bottom of my post takes you to the history of these stamps.
There is an amusing story of the Crow Creek people having had a lack 
of interest in helping stamp collectors purchase their stamps, which were
issued for a practical purpose. Stamp collectors have been made to wait
until after hunting season is over to get copies of the stamps, which were
made for hunters, not collectors. [See the Arago link below, where you can
read an informative article by Jeanette Cantrell Rudy.]


Tribal stamps were first issued in the 1950's, but the first stamps with
images instead of mere text appered in 1989--with the Crow Creek
People. These stamps show flying birds.


In my links below you can find examples of  fantasy Native American
tribal stamps, such as those from the Republic of Timucua. These are
called 'micronation stamps' by collectors. There are quite a few
micronations online. It is creative genre, not always geared just to stamps.

Developers of a micronation go to various lengths to invent a history and
culture for their imaginary land. This genre of creativity is found in
organizations like the Society For Creative Anachronism, whose
members try to recreate the Middle Ages.


Also you can find a link to authentic tribal stamps from a dealer who
specializes in them for collectors. (This is Jaffe Stamps, who acquired the
Brookman Stamp Company, & has a complete online catalog of known
Indian Reservation Stamps). 


These authentic tribal stamps and the  fantasy issues mentioned above
are all classified as 'cinderella stamps' by stamp collectors. A cinderella is
any sort of non-postage stamp, including Christmas seals, revenue stamps,
and Duck Hunting Permit Stamps, as well as faux postage stamps or
micronation stamps. The stamps from Timucua are 'faux postage stamps,'  
as they are purely artistic creations.

Asskosskoss

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

My own issues from Maidem Kodom and the Mooretown Provisional Post
Office are all micronational stamps--faux postage stamps that are
educational and informative . . . ana a way of sharing with the world my art
that relates to Concow Maidu culture.

Voice of the Turtle

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

NOTES ON MY MAIDEM KODOM STAMPS

My art for many of these designs was in part made from natural earth
pigments--and sometimes in conjuction with opaque watercolors.

The brief synopsis of the story of Ultrama, the Turtle is found  in the

margins of this Turtle stamp I created for an idealized Maidu postal service,

which I have dubbed 'The Mooretown Provisional Post Office.'

As you see here I have included Spirit of the Deer Man and, Asskosskoss
the Jay among the images on my artist stamps.

Sumi Maidem Kakini

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Actually I began creating faux postage stamps up in Feather Falls back

in 1999. Subsequently I have created quite a few imaginary stamp issuing

countries--from Amphitritonia to Undinia.  My Maidem Kodom stamps

are special because they reflect the language and customs of a real

culture, at least as interpreted by myself. I apologize for any grammatical

or informational errors which may appear in my work and writings.

Netdim Kakinim

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

A PARALLEL OF CONCOW MAIDU LEGEND WITH HINDU SCRIPTURE


Tom Epperson, a Maidu storyteller, has given us the most comprehensive

account of the original Concow Maidu cultural legends. A link at the bottom

of this post takes you to an original recording of Mr. Epperson singing a

version of the Maidu Creation Story.

The Maidu account of Creation is similar to that found in India, where the

first incarnation of Vishnu was Kurma, the Tortoise.

There is another Hindu Myth that recalls the Maidu Creation Story--the legend

of Bhu. In this story Bhu, the Earth Goddess, is held captive at the bottom of

the sea. Narasimha, the Manlion, (the third incarnation of Vishnu) rescues her

from the clutches of Makara, the Sea King. This story is found in the Puranas.

'Bhu' means earth in the sense of dense matter. In this her story parallels

the Maidu legend where mud is brought up from the bottom of the sea by

Ultrama the Turtle.

     CONCOW MAIDU CULTURE VIDEO BY WHOLLEM

ANOTHER ANCIENT STORY OF CREATON SET AT THE OCEAN FLOOR

Interestingly enough, in the Gnostic Gospels found at Nat Hammadi in Egypt

there is an account of Genesis wherein the Garden of Eden is at the bottom

of the sea. The story relates that Adam was created as a reflection on the

water. Here we have the oceanic element, but Adam is a mental creation,

rather than a physical creation from clay or mud.

Thus the Maidu Creation Story has various parallels in different parts of the

world. Some story elements are similar. But the Maidu story is unique. . . and

quite different from other legends found among tribal groups in early California.

_____________________

    
Those wanting to read a similar post that talks about Indian Reservation Stamps see:
http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/2010/09/concow-maidu-culture-indian-reservation.html
Read about Artistamps on Wikipedia for information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artistamps

To understand the concept of  the Micronation of Maidem Kodom see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronations.

For a site that gives us a Creation song by Tom Epperson, go to this link:

http://honeylakemaidu.org/creation.html

To see the CROW CREEK Sioux Hunting Stamps go
to this link:
http://arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=2&cmd=1&id=187106

For look at the fantasy stamps of The Republic of Timucua take a peek at this link:

http://micronations.wikia.com/wiki/Native_American_Tribal_Republic_of_Timucua

Readers interested in a site with a of a comlete list of  authentic Tribal Stamps should see this link:

http://brookmanstamps.com/IndianReservation.htm

My own online posts of my faux postage stamps can be found on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/artist%20stamps

BELOW IS A SAMPLE

ARTISTAMP

VIDEO

FROM MY ARCHIVES

(See Eric Whollem's

 Youtube Channel)

ARTIST STAMPS FROM LEMURIA              

ERIC WHOLLEM                            

       

    

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Mythology.

Concow Maidu Culture/ HIPININGKODOM/ A faux postage artist stamp by Eric Whollem/ EARTH PAINTS/ 'Doctor at the Center of the World'/ The Legends of Wonomi and Histayami

Hipiningkodom

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

Hipiningkodom, the Valley of Heaven

This stamp's design is based upon an earth painting I painted in

Feather Falls, California. It is called 'Doctor at the Center of the

World.' It is painted with earth pigments gathered in nature. The

blues and greens of the background are from ore deposits on
Lumpkin Road near the Enterprise Bridge. The golden brown

paint is from sandstone in the Pentz area of Butte County. The

pigments have to be broken down in a mortar and filtered before

use as paint. I variously use milk glue or polyvinyl or acrylic

resin as glue binders for my earth art.

The figure in this painting is rendered in a stick figure fashion,

adapted from Native American rock art, etc., where figurative

naturalism is not followed by the artist. Much of the prehistoric

rock art of California is actually brilliant abstract art.

Artists in Europe like Paul Klee and Joan Miro used the paleolithic

art of their European ancestors to create modern symbolic art.

Pictographs and petroglyphs deserve respect not just for their

cultural and symbolic meanings, but for their beauty of form,

though it may be an acquired taste to appreciate them.

THE VALLEY OF HEAVEN

Hipiningkodom is the second spiritual level of the other world.

It is also a name given to the Sacramento Valley. Hipiningkodom

means 'The Valley of Heaven.'

At Histayami or the Sutter Buttes near Marysville is the dwelling

of the Earth Initiate or World Maker, Wonomi.

Three spirit levels manifest at Histayami; the lowest level is

Yongkodom, the Flowerland. The highest level is Kakinimkodom,

the Land of Spirits.

The higher orders of spirits have two designations in the Concow

Maidu language: 'kakini' and 'saltu.' 

__________________

To view my posts on Pictographs and Petroglyphs see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/pictographs%20and%20petroglyphs

For my posts on my uses of Earth Paints view:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

My posts on the Maidu may be found here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps; mythology; shamanism; metaphysical art.

Concow Maidu Culture/ HIPININGKODOM/ 'The Valley of Heaven'/ A FAUX POSTAGE STAMP from MAIDEM KODOM by Eric Whollem/ An earth painting from natural materials/. . .artist CYBERSTAMPS from the MICRONATION of Maidem Kodom

Hipiningkodom

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

Doctor at the Center of the World

This painting depicts Wonomi, the Earth Maker, approaching the

spiritual center of the world. He is said by the Concow Maidu to

live today at Histayami.

_____________

Readers interested in my stamps of Maidem Kodom may find them on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidem%20kodom

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Mythology. Shamanism. Metaphysical art. 

SHAMANIC faux postage STAMPS of the CONCOW MAIDU/ Artistamps from Maidem Kodom/ 'Sumi Maidem Kakini' by Eric Whollem/ A cyber cinderella stamp from the Chi Chi Te Printing House of the artist's Maidu micronation/ EARTH PAINTS

Sumi Maidem Kakini

Maidem Kodom

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

Kodomyeponi

In the beginning of time everything first manifested in

Kodomyeponi, the Land of Shamans.

Nem Sumi was there. Sunflower Girl was there. Ultrama

and Henokano and Wonomi were there.

'Nem Sumi' is 'Big Deer.'  My version of Nem Sumi can be

seen on this stamp.

Tom Epperson, the Maidu storyteller, relates in detail the

story of creation in which these figures play important

roles.

______________

See my posts about the Maidu on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

My articles on Shamanism are on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/shamanism

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Shamanism.

DEER MAN/ Shamanic faux postage stamps from MAIDEM KODOM/ 'Sumi Maidem Kakini' by Eric Whollem/ A CYBERSTAMP from artist stamp creations by Eric Whollem/. . . SPIRIT OF THE DEER MAN

Sumi Maidem Kakini

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

The Shaman's Role in Society

SPIRIT OF THE DEER MAN

This faux postage stamp features detail of a painting done in natural

earth paints.

Depicted is the artist's version of Nem Sumi, or Big Deer, from the

Concow Maidu creation story.

A Shaman is a medicine man, or doctor. Among Native Americans

they are tribal leaders, healers, priests, clowns and entertainers.

Each shaman has his own special role in society.

The Grizzly Bear Doctors, however, worked in ways that were feared.

The Black Bear Doctors of the Maidu are the opposite: respected

healers.

Concow Maidu doctors are representative of the Kuksu Dream Religion.

The head shaman is called Yeponi.

ORIGIN OF THE WORD, SHAMAN

The English word 'shaman' comes from Central Asian cultures. In

Central Asia 'samana' is the term used. Today this term has general

useage around the world. The French writer, Mircea Eliade, wrote

a pivotal work entitled, 'Shamanism,' which describes Russian studies

of Central Asian cultures, such as the Chuckchee, the Yakut, the Buriat,

and other shamanically based societies of the Altai region.

_______________

Readers interested in my posts on Shamanism should view this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/shamanism

For posts about  Earth Paints see this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

My posts about Kuksu can be seen here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/kuksu

To see my general online posts of  Artistamps view:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/artistamps

My articles on the Maidu Indians can be found here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Shamanism. Maidu Indians. Earth paint.

SHAMANIC faux postage STAMPS of the CONCOW MAIDU/ Notes on Maidu Artists/ 'Sumi Maidem Kakini' by Eric Whollem/ A faux postage stamp from the Mooretown Provisional Post Office of Maidem Kodom/ Cinderella stamps by Whollem/ Earth Paints/ A CYBERSTAMP EDITION

Sumi Maidem Kakini

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

Spirit of the Deer Man

This is a full sheet of four stamps from Maidem Kodom.

The words 'Sumi maidem kakini' roughly translate as

'deer people spirit' or 'spirit of the deer man.'

'Maidem' is the plural form of Maidu, which word means

'person' in the Concow Maidu language of Butte County,

California.

The art on this stamp is from a large painting I painted in

1976, entitled 'Alaya.' This painting contains over fifty

different earth paints that I gathered myself in nature.

FRANK DAY AND MAJOR MAIDU ARTISTS

The Concow Maidu have a tradition of earth painting.

Frank Day, the last of the old time tribal leaders, painted

in pigments he prepared from earth. A link below takes you

to a site with images of his works. Frank was born in Berry

Creek, California.

The Maidu have other major artists, influenced by Frank

Day: Delbert Castro, Harry Fonseca, and Judith Lowry.

There are many less known artists among the Concow 

Maidu, such as Diane Steidl, who paints impressionistically

and her brother Robert, who has a talent for modern abstract

art and stone carving.

Soapstone is a traditional medium of the Maidu. In Feather Falls

the best soapstone is gathered near the site of old Camp Eighteen.

This stone was used to make medicine bowls in the old days.

BASKETRY

Basketry is a major art form among the Maidu. Lily Baker of

Taylorsville is one of the leading practitioners of this art form.

Ennis of Taylorsville and Denise of Chico are others who work

in this medium. Ennis is also a fine beadworker. Lily and Ennis

are Mountain Maidu.

The Maidu are considered to be some of the finest basket makers

among Native American peoples.

Quilt making is a modern art form that has appealed to the artistic

mind of the Maidu. There are many fine old examples of Maidu

craftsmanship in this medium. Some of the patterns reflect the

geometric forms found in baskets.

My list of Concow and Mountain Maidu artists is far from

complete. These are basic notes on the subject.

_______________

Readers interested in the work of Frank Day should check out this site:

http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/memory_and_imagination/

To view my posts on the Maidu see this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

My posts on the subject of Shamanism can be found here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/shamanism

More of my Artist Stamps can be viewed here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/artist%20stamps

For my general posts on Indians see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/indians

To read more about my approach to Earth Paints check out:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Earth paints. Shamanism; Indians.

CONCOW MAIDU FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS/ 'Netdim Kakinim' by Eric Whollem/ A PICTOGRAPHIC EARTH PAINTING/ Paints made from natural earth pigments, charcoal and ash/ A cinderella stamp edition from the 'Chi Chi Te Printing House'/ A CYBERSTAMP/. . . Dream spirits and shamanism/ MYTHOGRAPHIC ART/. . . Rock Art Traditions of Early California/ A TRIBUTE TO FRANK DAY

Netdim Kakinim

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

Dream Spirits

'Netdim Kakinim' roughly translates into 'Dream Spirits.' This is

a designation from the Concow Maidu language of Northern

Californnia.

The art seen on this stamp hearkens to that of the Chumash Indians

of Santa Barbara County, but bears a general affinity to pictographic

rock art from early California. The Maidu did not practice pictographic

rock art traditionally. But they did execute petroglyphs, or deeply

grooved symbolic designs in bedrock formations.

Insects are greatly revered by the Maidu and other Native Americans

from California. They are considered to be spirit messengers.

CONCOW MAIDU CULTURE

Dreams are the basis of life for the Maidu. The Kuksu religion, practiced

by the people, encourages each person to gain foresight and wisdom

through the study of his dreams. The greatest dreamer in the social order

is called Yeponi, who is the head shaman, or doctor. The Yeponi is very

often the Hoku, or 'chief' of the tribal group. The Maidu seldom use the

English word, 'chief,' having traditionally used the expression, 'captain.'

The Concow Maidu used earth paints for body paints in their sacred

dances, especially the Hesi Dance Cycle.

A TRIBUTE TO FRANK DAY

Today Frank La Pena is the leader of the traditional dancers of the

Maidu. He learned the dance steps from Frank Day, the last of the

old time captains. Frank Day is now a revered historical figure of

the Concow, being a highly respected artist who worked in earth

pigments, making his paints from scratch.

I was lucky enough to have seen an exhibit of Frank's paintings

near the Butte County Library near the end of his life. Later I

discovered that his works had been discovered by Herb Puffer

of Folsom, whose Pacific Western Traders gallery is responsible

for the preservation of many aspects of  California Native American

culture, whether dance, music, or art.

_______________

Readers interested in Earth Paints may want to see my posts on that subject:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

On the subject of Rock Art one might want to see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/pictographs%20and%20pictographs

For posts on Dreaming see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/dreaming

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps. Mythology; pictographs and petroglyphs; dreaming. Mythographic art.

CONCOW MAIDU FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS/ 'Kuksu' by Eric Whollem/ STORIES IN THE STONE: CONCOW MAIDU LEGENDS FOUND IN THE ROCK FORMATIONS OF TABLE MOUNTAIN NEAR OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA/ Notes on Ishi, the Last of the Yahi Indians and Kroeber the Anthropologist According to Accounts by Frank Day/ The Lore of the Maidu Indians: the Kuksu Dream Religion/ A cinderella cyber stamp edition of the micronational Mooretown Provisional Post Office/ ARTIST STAMPS

Kuksu

Maidem Kodom

2010

by Eric Whollem

copyright by the artist

The First Man: Kuksu

Table Mountain above Oroville, California, is the legendary Garden

of Eden of the Concow Maidu. It was there that the first human couple

was created from mud. The first man was Kuksu and his bride was

Morningstar.

TABLE MOUNTAIN LEGENDS

Table Mountain is the old location of the hamlet of Hudli. The Flint

Mines with material for making stone tools was up on Table Mountain.

Also the war dance area could be found there. Numerous sites related to

old stories are set in the lava rock formations. 'The Bird Who Flew So

Fast He Could Not Be Heard' can be found on the high cliffs. In the

valley of Table Mountain are great monolithic lava stones that

represent Wonomi, the Earth Maker and also the Great Lizard, who is

named Usbuki. Usbuki is the warrior power. Near Usbuki is Henokano,

the Coyote, or Trickster.

Many of the ideas in the above paragraph were recorded by Coyote

Man, or Bob Rathbun, back in the 1970's and can be found on his

map of the Concow Maidu country. He wrote a book called 'Sun,

Moon, and Stars' and also 'The Destruction of the People.' These

books were popular in their day. I hope copies can still be found, as

they are real treasures of the Concow Maidu culture.

Bob Rathbun published many of Tom Epperson's stories. Tom

passed away in 1974; he was one of the greatest Maidu storytellers.

Brian Beavers was another important source for Rathbun.

                                                   *

And every school kid from modern Oroville has heard the story of

how the Sutter Buttes hear Marysville used to be the top of Table

Mountain. Some embellish this modern folk tale with the mention

of how a giant was involved in moving this vast amount of rock

so many miles. This is not a Concow Maidu legend, but my section

on 'Legends of Table Mountain' would not be complete without this

story.

THE OLD NAMES FOR OROVILLE

On Coyote Man's map Oroville is called Opatoni. Near the site of

Oroville is another Maidu village called Siltamona.

Oroville is the place where the Kuksu Dream Society was first

created by the Concow Maidu people.

A FEW NOTES ON ISHI

Later Oroville was the place where Ishi, the famous Yahi Indian

was found--supposedly the last uncivilized Native American.

He was found in a slaughterhouse near old Quincy Road. He

was covered with ash; which may have made him appear

unusual to the people who found him. However those people

were probably unfamiliar with normal Native American

customs of mourning.