Life-Giver

Supreme creator classed 'deity'. Ussen/Yusn is the common Chiricahua/Mescalero rendering; Opler records the descriptive Chiricahua name Bik'egu'indáán ('Life-Giver'). Female counterpart is White Painted Woman.

Domains

• creation
• life

Powers

• give life to all beings
• ordain the supernatural powers and ceremonies

Epithets

• Ussen

Relations

• companion: White Painted Woman

Sources

• Morris E. Opler, 'An Apache Life-Way' (Univ. of Chicago Press, 1941).
• Morris E. Opler, 'Myths and Tales of the Chiricahua Apache Indians' (1942).