Masewi

Masewi is the elder of the Keresan twin war gods, born of the Sun and paired inseparably with his younger brother Oyoyewi. In the origin myth Iatiku appoints him the outside chief, the leader in war, the hunt, and the defense of the people, and his name and office descend to the twin war captains who govern each historical pueblo. In the hero narratives the twins travel to their father the Sun to be acknowledged and armed, then rid the world of the monsters, giants, and predatory beings that endanger the people, including the deadly Gambler. Masewi is the graver and more commanding of the pair, the model of the war leader, while Oyoyewi is his ever-present companion in action.

Parentage

• parent: SunBenedict, BAE Bulletin 98 (1931), pp. 1-10. (primary)

Domains

• war
• hunting

Powers

• leads the people in war and protection as elder war captain
• destroys monsters and hostile beings that threaten the people

Epithets

• Ma'sewi — elder war brother, outside chiefStirling, BAE Bulletin 135 (1942), p. 20. (primary)

Relations

• parent: SunBenedict, BAE Bulletin 98 (1931), pp. 1-10. (primary)
• twin: OyoyewiStirling, BAE Bulletin 135 (1942), pp. 20-25. (primary)

Sources

• Masewi is the elder of the Keresan twin war gods, sons of the Sun, appointed by Iatiku to lead and protect the people; his name is carried by the pueblo war captains.: Stirling, M. W., Origin Myth of Acoma, BAE Bulletin 135 (1942), pp. 20-25. (primary); White, L. A., The Acoma Indians (1932), pp. 108-115. (primary)
• With his twin he is the monster-slaying hero of the Cochiti and Acoma narratives.: Benedict, R., Tales of the Cochiti Indians, BAE Bulletin 98 (1931), pp. 1-24. (primary)