Tawa Creates the Worlds
In the Hopi creation story, in the beginning only Tawa, the Sun Spirit, existed in endless space (Tokpella). Tawa formed the First World but its insect-like creatures lived unhappily in caves. To improve things, Tawa created Sotuknang, his nephew, who in turn created Spider Woman (Spider Grandmother) as a messenger and helper. Spider Woman was sent to lead the first creatures — then resembling insects — to the Second World, where they took on animal forms of wolves and bears. Still dissatisfied, Tawa created a Third World and Spider Woman guided the creatures there, where they finally became h