Chumash Legends

Coyote and Bat

Timolokinash When the animals where people.

Have you ever contemplated what the animals looked like when they spoke to each other and were just like us human tribal peoples? Us Chumash tribal peoples know they change appearances and acquire new powers when Hutash cleanses herself. We figure that she has done it twice, the eras of the dinosaurs and the ice age can be viewed as two of these movements, according to the studies of mankind. We know that these types of movements happen in threes, which is also the sacred number to the Chumash people. However, we’ll discuss that at another appropriate time.

This is an insight how Bat changed from a beautiful sparrow, with a reputation as the best archer in the territories, to the person we all know today. Back in the old days, Bat and Coyote were allies when it came time to go to war at the request of the Wot. They were his favorite duo to call upon when there was time of conflict and he needed the services of these powerful warriors to defend the integrity of the village and the families to go to battle for them. How they fight is mighty intriguing and a sight to behold. Bat clings to Coyotes back and shoots arrows while Coyote sneaks up and positions himself for their advantage and at the same time he is fast enough to dodges arrows and get in a few shots himself.

 How they came up with this strategy is another mystery to be revealed at another time. They are a very respected and feared twosome when it comes to the awareness of tribal war. This time frame takes place when they were very active and were in search of spirit and dream helpers. Coyote and Bat were overlooking the large settlement of Aqitsum early one day and were enthralled and amazed at its large terrace, and the alignment of the Aps in the settlement, when their thoughts became one in their meditation. Both were meditating on the movements of the purification the men were undergoing at the Apyoke. Then the mighty wind spirits revealed to them that it was their time for them to learn the purification rituals of the Apyoke. So they gathered all their shell money to present to the Paha of the village for permission and advice on building the Apyoke.

His tutelage lasted many days and when they were finished they watched the Sky People as instructed for an alignment that would be the proper time to build the Apyoke according to the Paha’s teachings. They built a subterranean lodge on the side of a nearby river ledge with the door facing the water so they could cleanse themselves with the water spirits after the purification of the fire. The Apyoke was made of thick sturdy willow poles and a mixture of tule reeds, sea grass and adobe. It was a very impressive purification dwelling for their first attempt. The Paha was very explicit and detailed about the building and the movements the spirits required.

The next morning Bat was up before Kakanupmawa poked his torch over the eastern gate and was gathering wood and stacking it by the entrance to the newly built structure. He waited for Coyote for some time till he concluded that Coyote was sleeping in, and it was no surprise to him for that was part of Coyotes ways! So he went inside and started to build the purification fire. When Coyote awakened, he had totally forgotten about the purification that morning and made himself a big fat delicious goose for breakfast, with all the fixings. While he was eating, he suddenly remembered his obligation to Bat and rushed to the lodge like a Bat outa’ He’lo.

He figured by the location of grandfather Kakanupmawa he was running a little tardy and hoped that Bat wasn’t angry and would be sympathetic towards him. Then he saw the smoke and he knew right away that he was running late and that there was a possibility that Bat might be very angry. But his comrade, Bat, wasn’t the least concerned, and very understanding, because he was in his heart. So he entered while Bat closed the door behind them and started to add more wood.

As they proceeded, he asked Coyote if the fire was too hot for him and when Coyote replied no, Bat added some more wood. They sang many songs and said many prayers for their peoples. And Bat kept on adding more wood to the fire. This went of for a while until Coyote let negative thoughts invade his mind instead of being there for his heart.

Now we already know how Coyote’s mind works? Well, he thought Bat was trying to make it a competition of who would be strongest to handle the heat of the fire, when Bat had no such intentions. Bat was there for the purification and his heart. Coyote was not in his heart and became confused on what to do so he turned to his trickster ways and convinced Bat that it was way too hot for him, and that he couldn’t handle the heat, so that Bat could do no harm to him, for he knew that Bat had strong medicine. So Bat obliged and opened the door for Coyote to leave for the river to cleanse himself.

Coyote proceeded immediately to devise a plan to get even with the innocent Bat. He would show Bat that he could stand the heat more than he had pretended to. So he would be the first one up in the morning and would gather the wood and get the fire ready bright and early. It was only right that they took turns, so it was his turn to show Bat what a warrior he was. So, the next morning when Bat flew up, he was amazed that Coyote had everything in order and was ready to go so early. Bat had some suspicions but they quickly subsided because Bat was there for his heart.

Boy, you got that fire going hot and early, kinsman, Bat said.

 Coyote replied, I know how you liked it so hot yesterday that I didn’t want to disappoint my comrade and have a mediocre fire.” So they entered Apyoke and Coyote closed the door and started to add wood to the fire. The fire was nice and hot and even had a little roar to it. Coyote-asked bat how he was doing? Bat answered that he was okay and added a few more logs to the fire. Once again Coyote asked how Bat was doing and the song was getting louder he could barely hear him and thought he heard bat say he was fine. But Bat was really having a hard time.

Once more Coyote asked Bat how he was doing and, after he didn’t get a reply, Coyote thought Bat was pretending to be asleep and was trying to out do him. Oh boy! There goes that mind of Coyote again. So he threw on more wood. The whole time it really was getting hot and Bat was yelling and yelling from the back but Coyote couldn’t hear him over the song of the fire. All of sudden the lodge burst into flames and Coyote just made it out by the tip of his tail… (and every time you see him, the tip of his tale looks burnt.) However, Bat wasn’t so lucky to escape. All Coyote could do, was a wait for the fire to subside, smoke his pipe and try to remember a certain song that his uncle had taught him.

You see, one of the many powers that are included in Coyote’s arsenal is that he has the power to bring back the breath into anybody. He was practicing this ritual early on in life, so he sang the song his uncle taught him and jumped over Bat 3 times until Bat stirred and awakened. Bat was stunned as he looked into those big black eyes of his best friend. He forgave Coyote on sight, without thinking, because he brought him back to life and he now knew that they were both in the heart. That is why Bat is so black and comes out only at night to hunt. If you are wondering if they are still comrades and go to war for the Wot? Oh yeah, except the rules have changed a little bit. Bat flies ahead in the darkness to find the enemies because he blends into the darkness so well and you can still hear Coyotes war song at night.

Sutiwayan ul atuc!

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