The Rainbow-Serpent
Nivaclé · numen · Nivaclé traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
The rainbow is understood as a great serpent associated with water and rain. Its appearance, or contact with it, is held to bring sickness and danger, and it belongs to the class of water-dwelling powers the Nivaclé approach with caution.
Domains
- rainbow
- water and illness
Powers
- brings sickness and danger
Sources
- The rainbow is understood as a great serpent associated with water and rain whose appearance brings sickness and danger.: Métraux, Alfred, 'Ethnography of the Chaco,' Handbook of South American Indians, vol. 1 (1946). (secondary); Wilbert & Simoneau, Folk Literature of the Nivaklé Indians (1987). (secondary)