This photograph of Half Dome was taken at sunset from Sentinel Bridge, Yosemite National Park. Reflections can be seen in the Merced River. It appears in the Native American Historical Fiction, Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya, a book included in Books Set in Yosemite National Park. This illustrated novel re-tells the epic story of the original inhabitants of Yosemite. It is set in the National Park at the time of the California Gold Rush. Read the Legend of Tissa’ack below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Dome
Legend of Tissa’ack (Half Dome, Yosemite National Park)
Long before people came to live in Ahwahnee (Yosemite Valley) a Paiute Indian woman, called Tissa’ack, and her husband, Nangas, left their home on the central, arid plains to cross the mountains in search of new, fertile lands. They climbed steep canyons, over rugged terrain, and through dense forests, whilst carrying all their belongings and their papoose. Eventually, they reached the valley of Ahwahnee (Yosemite). Overall, they were tired, exhausted, thirsty, and hungry.
However, Tissa’ack arrived ahead of her husband. She was still carrying her conical burden basket, which was secured by a band across her forehead. The basket held acorns and other supplies. Immediately, she began to search for water to slake her thirst. Soon she found a lake called Kekotooyem (Mirror Lake). There she set down her papoose and burden basket onto the ground beside her and drank thirstily from the lake. Over and over she drank deeply from the lake. By the time Nangas arrived, she had drunk the lake dry.
Nangas was angry that Tissa’ack had left no water for him. Forgetting their peaceful customs, he started to beat his wife. Tissa’ack grabbed her papoose and burden basket and started to run away. But Nangas ran after her, continuing to strike her as she ran. Tissa’ack, in pain and humiliation, stopped and turned on Nangas, throwing the burden basket at him. The Great Spirit, angered by all that he had seen and heard, which was disturbing the peace of Ahwahnee, turned them both into stone. There they remain to this day, separated for life, facing each other.
Yosemite Landmarks
Nangas became Washington Column and North Dome. The upturned basket turned into Basket Dome. The papoose became the Royal Arches. Tissa’ack became Half Dome, which is still streaked today with the tears of anguish that streamed down her cheeks after the shameful beating by her husband.
Hi, I am Paul, photographer, and author of the historical novel “Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya”. This ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ illustrated book is available in eBook and paperback formats through all major online booksellers from $2.99 (e.g. Amazon, Bookshop.org, IndieBound, Apple Books, etc) - details can be found in "Purchasing Options" in the "About the Book" drop-down.