Thunder

Nonoma is the thunder spirit of Tsistsistas (Cheyenne) religion, whose name is the ordinary Cheyenne word for thunder (nonóma'e). In Karl Schlesier's reconstruction of the Massaum world-renewal ceremony, the thunder spirit and Ésceheman, Grandmother Earth, form a paired male-female sacred couple whose daughter Ehyophstah, the Yellow-Haired Woman, was given to the people. Thunder is more broadly attested in Cheyenne belief, recorded by Grinnell, as the springtime power of storm and renewal opposed to the destructive winter powers.

Children

• Yellow-Haired Woman

Domains

• thunder storm

Powers

• to bring the thunder, lightning, and life-renewing spring rains

Epithets

• Nonóma'eKarl H. Schlesier, The Wolves of Heaven: Cheyenne Shamanism, Ceremonies, and Prehistoric Origins, University of Oklahoma Press, 1987 (secondary)

Relations

• subordinate to: All-SpiritThe thunder spirit operates within the sacred order established by Maheo.Karl H. Schlesier, The Wolves of Heaven: Cheyenne Shamanism, Ceremonies, and Prehistoric Origins, University of Oklahoma Press, 1987 (secondary)
• spouse: Our GrandmotherPaired with Ésceheman, Grandmother Earth, in the sacred genealogy of the Massaum ceremony.Karl H. Schlesier, The Wolves of Heaven: Cheyenne Shamanism, Ceremonies, and Prehistoric Origins, University of Oklahoma Press, 1987 (secondary)
• father of: Yellow-Haired WomanFather of Ehyophstah, the Yellow-Haired Woman.Karl H. Schlesier, The Wolves of Heaven: Cheyenne Shamanism, Ceremonies, and Prehistoric Origins, University of Oklahoma Press, 1987 (secondary)

Sources

• Nonoma is the Cheyenne thunder spirit, consort of Grandmother Earth and father of Ehyophstah in the sacred cosmology of the Massaum ceremony.: Karl H. Schlesier, The Wolves of Heaven: Cheyenne Shamanism, Ceremonies, and Prehistoric Origins, University of Oklahoma Press, 1987 (secondary); Louise Fisher, Wayne Leman, Leroy Pine Sr., and Marie Sanchez, Cheyenne Dictionary, Chief Dull Knife College, 2006 (secondary)