American Bluebird: Gendenwitha

Found Object Assemblage: Clay, Bottle Caps, Copper, Paint | 24" x 13" x 10"

The Story:

Sosondowah and Gendenwitha

Origin: Iroquois

Oklahoma Correlation: Black Caped Crow and American Blue Bird

In this Iroquois legend, the mythic hero Sosondowah, the Great Elk Hunter of the Sky, was captured by the Goddess of Dawn so that he could be her personal watchman. While out hunting, Gendenwitha, a lovely human river maiden catches his eye. Sosondowah falls deeply in love and commences to pursue her. Sosondowah tries to woo Gendenwitha by singing to her in spring as a bluebird, in summer as a blackbird and in autumn as a hawk. Ultimately, he carries Gendenwitha with him into the sky. Legend states that as he lifts her away her tears become the dew that waters the forest and the fields. His tenacious pursuit of Gendenwitha infuriates the Goddess of Dawn who had long since intended Sosondowah as her own. In her anger she ties Sosondowah to the doorpost and turns Gendenwitha into the Morning Star. Sosondowah is destined to watch Gendenwitha every night but never allowed to be with her.

- Sunni Mercer