Zuni Carved Water Serpent

Description

Zuni Carved Water Serpent by Maxx Laate

The water serpent is a hero in Zuni because he saved the Zuni people from the flood. When the waters rushed into Zuni Pueblo, the people fled to the top of their sacred mountain, Dowa Yallane (Corn Mountain), to get above the flood. They were dying of thirst and starvation and so said prayers to each of the six directions, asking for rescue. Kolowisi heard their prayers and came from the West and rested his jaw on top of Dowa Yallane and regurgitated fresh water, meat and seeds and so saved the Zuni people. When the waters receded, Kolowisi did not want to go back to the West so he now resides in the underground lake in the south where the Katsinam live. Kolowisi is the guardian of the water sources and can move around in aquifers and into Zuni River, Salt Lake, or any body of water. He is very sacred and sometimes is brought into Zuni Pueblo as a Katsina. In the Tewa Pueblos he is called Avanyu and is sometimes seen etched on the pottery in this area. He is believed to live in the Rio Grande and the underground streams and water sources there. The Cochiti People also know him, and he has been sighted near the Cochiti Lake area. This particular water serpent was carved from antler with jet eyes by Zuni artist Maxx Laate.