IROQUOIS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 



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fore you were human, and hereafter it will be your task to dedicate 

 your life to their honoring ! 



Whichever of these you meet on your way, do not pass until 

 you have felled a strong tree and carved its image in the wood 

 grain. 1 When you first strike the tree, if it speaks, it will be 

 my voice urging you and you must go on with your task. When 

 the trees were first set in their earth mold, each was given a voice. 2 



Mask of the False Face Company representing Ganusquah, the Stone Giant, the mythical 



founder of the company 



These voices you must learn, and the language of the entire forest. 

 Now, go on your way; I am watching and guiding you. Go, now, 

 and teach the mankind people kindness, the brother goodness of 

 all dumb things, and so win your way to live forever! " 



When the young hunter opened his eyes, he was standing beside 



1 The mask to become the habitation of the Gagonsah spirit which lives in the tree must 

 first be carved on the living tree. A ceremonial fire is kindled and an invocation made 

 asking the life of the tree to enter the mask and thereby furnish it with life that the Gagonsah 

 spirit might enter. The tree was then propitiated by offerings of tobacco and the mask cut 

 off. 



2 According to the teachings of the Jadigohsashooh, the False Face Company, each tree 

 has its own voice which the initiated can recognize. When the hurricane twists down a 

 tree the Indian who hears the death groan as it falls, says " that is a hemlock," or an oak 

 according as he interprets the " voice." Generally he is right in his statement, it is said. 



