Elder Brother

Akimel O'odham (Pima) · deity · Akimel O'odham (Pima) traditional religion; continuing · deity

Elder Brother, Se'ehe (also Siuuhu, and in Piman tellings I'itoi), is the culture hero and law-giver of the Akimel O'odham. Emerging in the world's second age, he shapes humankind, teaches the arts of living, and rids the land of monsters. In the central saga his rule grows tyrannical and he is slain, in most versions by the shaman Buzzard wielding the killing heat of the sun; he lies dead but rises again, journeys to the sun, and returns to lead the people up from beneath the earth to conquer the earlier inhabitants of the great houses whom archaeologists call the Hohokam. His monster-slaying exploits include the destruction of the cannibal witch Ho'ok and of the man-eating Eagle. Sources differ on whether he is Earth Doctor's son, successor, or rival. He is the figure depicted in the widely reproduced Man-in-the-Maze design.

Domains

Powers

Epithets

Relations

Sources

Open in the interactive app →