the seven maidens

Family: the People of Seed · Role: seven sisters, foster children of Paíyatuma · First appears: Section 17 · The Generation of the Seed of Seeds, or the Origin of Corn · Part 2

In Section 17, the seven sisters are described as foster children of Paíyatuma, the God of Dew. Chosen and breathed upon with Yápotuluha, they were instructed in sacred rites and incantations. During the preparation, they and Yápotuluha danced around the plants and drew them upward; by morning, new, soft-haired parts had appeared where the youth and maidens had touched them.

Later in Section 17, the maidens disappeared into the morning mist with Kwélele, following Ténatsali, as Paíyatuma waved his flute. Paíyatuma then vanished as well.

Relationship record

Life events

• The seven maidens and Yápotuluha were chosen, breathed upon, and instructed in the sacred rites and incantations.(Section 17 · The Generation of the Seed of Seeds, or the Origin of Corn · Part 2)
  • With: Yápotuluha
  • “They, too, were chosen and breathed upon by all the fathers and matrons of the Seed, and with the youth Yápotuluha, instructed in the precious rites and incantations of their custom.”
• Yápotuluha and the maidens danced around the plants and drew them upward until they grew tall.(Section 17 · The Generation of the Seed of Seeds, or the Origin of Corn · Part 2)
  • With: Yápotuluha
  • “As time went on, the matron of the dance led the youth and the first maiden apart, and they grasped, one on either side, the first plants, dancing around them, gently drawing them upward as they went, even as the Two Beloved had caused to grow the canes of the under-world.”
• The youth and maidens’ embraces caused new, soft-haired parts to appear on the plants.(Section 17 · The Generation of the Seed of Seeds, or the Origin of Corn · Part 3)
  • With: Yápotuluha
  • “Now, when the day dawned, lo! where the mid-persons of the youth and the maidens had touched most unitedly and warmly the plants, new parts appeared to the beholders, showing, through their coverings, many colors, soft hair shrouding them, as if to make precious their beauty.”
• The maidens and Kwélele disappeared into the morning mist, and Paíyatuma vanished as well.(Section 17 · The Generation of the Seed of Seeds, or the Origin of Corn · Part 3)
  • With: Paíyatuma Ténatsali Kwélele
  • “Then, as Paíyatuma waved his flute, lo! following Ténatsali, the maidens and the attendant Kwélele went forth and disappeared in the mist of the morning. As they vanished, Paíyatuma turned to where, full in the light of the rising sun, stood the seven plants. Lithe and tall stood he there beside them like a far journeyer, and said to the awed watchers:”

Section 17 · The Generation of the Seed of Seeds, or the Origin of Corn · Part 2

• foster-parent: Paíyatuma “Now there were in the village of the stranger Seed people seven maidens, sisters of one another, virgins of one house, and foster children of Paíyatuma (the God of Dew) himself.”

Also listed in Other Figures — Minor Figures

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Extracted from the original text of Outlines of Zuñi Creation Myths. Made with Rho MD.