AHAYUTA AND MATSILEMA (Ahaiyuta and Matsailema) Zuni – WARRIOR TWINS who were collectively called the Ahayuta. They were the sons of the SUN, created when sunlight struck the foam of a waterfall. The Ahayuta led the first people into the world. Stories about the Ahayuta contain many elements common to myths about warrior twins, such as making a journey to their father, the Sun, in order to gain power; being able to bring RAIN; and slaying MONSTERS to make the world safe for humans. One monster the twins slew was CLOUD SWALLOWER, a powerful giant.

Cloud Swallower’s practice was to stand with his legs forming an arch over a pathway. When people came by, the giant would greet them politely and tell them to pass through his legs. Then he would snatch them up and devour them. Grandmother Spider (SPIDER WOMAN) offered her help to the Ahayuta in ridding the world of this monster. While Cloud Swallower pretended to sleep, she wove her web around his head.

Blinded by the web, Cloud Swallower was unable to catch the twins, who easily slew him. Another legend relates how the Ahayuta acquired the ability to make RAIN by stealing rainmaking tools—thunder stones, a lightning frame, and arrows—from the Saiyathlia, KACHINA warriors. The Ahayuta sneaked into an initiation ceremony for young warriors, but they were killed during the ceremony.

The Saiyathlia cut off the twins’ arms and legs and cooked them to feed the youths being initiated. However, the twins’ voices remained alive and taunted the Saiyathlia. When the Saiyathlia sneezed, the twins shot out their noses and came back to life. They then slew the Saiyathlia and stole the rainmaking tools. In another legend, when the CORN MAIDENS fled, taking all the CORN with them, the Ahayuta joined in the search for them.

The twins are credited with creating the MILKY WAY through their travels around the world during this search.

Taken from : Native American Mythology A to Z – ( first edition ) – Written by Patricia Ann Lynch – Copyright © 2004 by Patricia Ann Lynch