Article
According to Zuni cosmology, the Ice God lives in the Sacred Mountains and is responsible for the snow that will provide spring melt for crop growth. However, the warm mists from the Valley of Hot Waters drives the cold breath of the Ice God away, and the climate is pleasantly temperate for growing an abundance of corn. One year the Ice God fell asleep and no snow fell all winter. Bear, deer and hummingbird attempted to rouse the Ice God but were not successful. Spider managed to wake the Ice God. Upon rising, the Ice God rubbed his eyes and snow began to fall. When spider spins a web into the distant clouds, winter is sure to follow.
Manuscripts
References
Bunzel, Ruth Leah
1932 “Introduction To Zuñi Ceremonialism.” 47Th Annual Report Of The Bureau Of
American Ethnology. Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office.
Cushing, Frank Hamilton
1920 “Zuñi Breadstuff.” Indian Notes And Monographs. New York: Museum of the
American Indian, Heye Foundation. Accessed April 5, 2016.
http://ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu/document?id=nt23-007.