Pakchuso Pokaila (the two grandmothers)

Overview

Two old women accompany Olelbis in the highest place from the beginning of the account. Each is called Pakchuso Pokaila, and he addresses both as grandmother. The chapter does not supply parents or a birth history connecting them biologically to him. They are active advisers: they identify materials, supply roots and fibres, and explain how to solve successive problems in the renewal of the world.

They prepare the foundation of the upper sweat-house and tell Olelbis where to find living oaks for its frame. Bringing flowering plants onto their hands, they weave a binding and large mats with blossoms facing outward. They surround the house with every kind of flower and provide great rolls of acorn bread beside the doorway. Their construction is not a dead floral covering: the narrative says its roots never die and its flowers continue blooming.

When fire consumes the earth, the grandmothers explain where Kahit lives and how he can bring Mem Loimis to extinguish it. Later they guide the recovery of soil, water and vegetation. They also identify the cloud people and send Olelbis to consult the Katkatchila brothers. Olelbis gives them the tanned skins of a black and a white cloud, initially as warm coverings. By hanging out the white skin and then the black, they release clouds that travel and return with rain. Once enough clouds have gone out, they bring the skins indoors again.

Origins & earliest records

Jeremiah Curtin’s Creation Myths of Primitive America (1898), opening Wintu narrative Olelbis. His provenance notes describe the California collecting context; this chapter does not name its individual teller. Curtin states that an earlier version appeared in The Sun on29March1896.

Records & interpretation

Complete Olelbis,pp.3–48, read through the final disposition of the first people; notes490–493 also read. Especially4,15–19,26–34,40–42. Curtin’s general theory of a uniform American mythology and comparisons with European tales are not adopted as historical findings.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Creation Myths of Primitive America in Relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of Mankind

   Jeremiah Curtin · 1898

   Complete Olelbis,pp.3–48; Especially4,15–19,26–34,40–42. Notes486–493 for collection, prior publication and editorial interpretation.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary textCurtin1898: complete opening Wintu narrativeResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.