This photograph of Upper Yosemite Falls was taken on a short walk from Sentinel Bridge in Yosemite Valley. It’s a great place to capture reflections of the falls and Yosemite Point in the Merced River, in their spectacular surroundings. Incidentally, the indigenous name for the falls is Chorlok, simply meaning “high falls”. Additionally, Yosemite Valley was known as Ahwahnee, meaning “gaping mouth”. From the valley floor, the cliffs of the valley look similar to a gaping mouth.
The original people of the valley were Ahwahneechees, later called “Yosemites”. Sadly, Chief Tenaya and the Ahwahneechees were driven from their homelands in the 1850s at the time of the California Gold Rush.
Finally, Yosemite Point was called Hummoo, meaning “lost arrow”. The Legend of the Lost Arrow can be found below the photograph.
UPPER YOSEMITE FALLS AND POINT: THE LEGEND OF LOST ARROW
Tee-hee-neh
Tee-hee-neh was among the fairest and most beautiful of the daughters of Ahwahnee (Yosemite). Her tall yet rounded form was as erect as the silver firs and as supple as the tamarack pines. The delicately tapering fingers of her small hands were, if possible, prettier than those of other Indian maidens. The arched instep of her slender foot was as flexible as the azalea when shaken by the wind. The tresses of her raven hair, unlike that of her companions, were as silky as the milkweed’s floss. They tumbled down from her well-poised head to her ankles.
Her movements were as graceful and agile as the bound of a fawn. In the early morning, she stepped from her wigwam to seek the mirrored river and make her toilet with other women of her tribe. She captured the admiring gaze of captivated young chiefs, and the envious looks of less-favored girls.
Kos-soo-kah
Kos-soo-kah was the tallest, strongest, swiftest-footed, bravest, and most handsome of all the young Ahwahnee chiefs. Who could wonder at, or blame him for allowing the silken meshes of devoted love of Tee-hee-neh to intertwine around his heart? He was brought captive to her feet. Or marvel that the early spring flowers which she plucked for him were always the most redolent with perfume? Or that the wild strawberries and plums which she picked, were the sweetest because transfused by love? Then, who could censure him for not resisting the silvery sweetness of her musical voice, when she raised it in song by the campfire? Or, for not resisting the fascinations of her merry laugh, as its liquid cadences rung out at nightfall upon the air? Every note was in delicious and accordant sympathy with the beating of his own heart.
Nuptials
Both their souls were filled with intense joy because the tender passion was unreservedly reciprocated by each. Nothing remained, therefore, but to select presents for the parents of the bride, by Indian tradition. Then to provide a sumptuous feast, and celebrate their auspicious nuptials with appropriate ceremonies. To do this, Tee-hee-neh and her companions would prepare the acorn bread and collect ripe wild fruits and edible herbs. They would then garnish them with fragrant flowers. At the same time, Kos-soo-kah, with the best hunters of his tribe, would scale the adjacent cliffs. There they hunted for grouse and deer, for a royal feast.
Before their sweet partings, it was agreed that Kos-soo-kah would go to the edge of the mountain north of Chorlok, (Yosemite Fall) at sunset. His intention was to report the measure of his success to Tee-hee-neh. He would do this by fastening the appropriate number of grouse feathers to an arrow to indicate the quantity taken. Then, at the edge of the peak, (Yosemite Point), he would shoot an arrow from his strong bow. After she had climbed to the foot of the cliff, she would then be able to watch its falling and retrieve it. In this way, she would be the first to report the good tidings of his success to her people.
After a successful hunt, and while his young braves were at rest before preparing to carry down their game, Kos-soo-kah repaired to the point agreed. There he prepared the arrow for its tender mission. He was about to send it forth when the edge of the cliff began to crumble away. He slid with the falling rocks, which took the noble Kos-soo-kah with them.
Disaster
Long did the loving Tee-hee-neh wait, and watch for the signal arrow. She did not leave her watchful post for many weary hours after darkness had settled down upon the mountain. Although restless premonitions and forebodings were bringing deeper darkness to her heart, they were intensified by the sound of falling rocks. But, she told herself that his desires might have tempted him to wander farther than he had intended. Also, his signal arrow would not be seen in the dark. At that very moment, he might be feeling his way among the blocks of rock that strewed Indian Canyon, down which he was to come. That possibility gave wings to her thoughts. She hurriedly picked her way from ledge to ledge. She passed from precipice to precipice, lowering herself rapidly, where a misstep might prove fatal. At last, she reached the foot of the canyon.
The Wait
Once there she found that her beloved Kos-soo-kah had not yet arrived. Her anxious yearnings for his safe return were made more poignant by a kind of uncontrollable prescience that led her to the spot where he must first emerge. Hoping against hope, she could hear as well as feel the beatings of her own sad heart. She listened through the lagging hours for the sound of his welcome footfall, or manly voice. And as she impatiently waited, pacing the hot sand backward and forwards, she sang in the low, sweet, yet impassioned cadences peculiar to her race:
“Come to the heart that loves thee;
To the eyes that beam in brightness but to gladden thine;
Come, where fond thoughts in holiest incense rise;
And cherished memory rears in her altar shrine.
Dearest—come home!”
Dawn
But alas! When the dark gray dawn of early morning still did not bring her beloved one, she sprang like a deer from rock to rock up the steep ascent, not pausing even for breath. Without delaying for a moment’s rest, she hastened towards the spot where the expected signal arrow was to be shot. Tracks—his blessed tracks—could be distinctly seen and followed to the mountain’s edge. Alas, not one was visible to indicate his return from the edge. When she called, only the echo of her sad voice returned an answer. Where could he be? Marks of a new fracture of the mountain showed that a portion had recently broken off.
Her memory, at once, recalled the sounds of falling rocks that she had heard. Could it be that her heart-cherished Kos-soo-kah was standing there at the time of its fall? Oh no!. Surely, the Great Spirit could not be so unmindful of her burning love for him to permit that. With agonized dread, she summoned sufficient courage to peer over the edge of the cliff. Below, the lifeless and ghastly form of her darling was seen lying in the hollow, near the heavenly-pointing rock that has since been named the Giant’s Thumb.
Finding the Body of Kos-soo-kah
Spontaneously acting with the clearness and strength that despair will sometimes give, she kindled a bright fire on the very edge of the mountain. She sent smoke signals to her people below. This followed the custom that every Indian learns to practice from childhood. Slowly the hours ebbed away. Relief came, at last, to help with the recovery of her soul’s jewel, even though now sleeping in the cold embrace of death. Young sapling tamaracks were lashed endwise together, with thongs cut from the skin of the deer. The very same deer that were to form part of the wedding feast.
Recovering the Body of Kos-soo-kah
When these were ready, Tee-hee-neh, springing forward, would allow no hands but her own to be the first to touch her beloved one. She would descend to recover him or perish in the attempt. Finding that no amount of persuasion could change her resolve they reluctantly, yet carefully, lowered her to the prostrate form of Kos-soo-kah. As though the strength of purpose had converted her nerves into steel, defiant of all danger, she first kissed his pale lips. She then unwound the deer-skin cords from around her body, fastening them lovingly, yet firmly, to his. She then gave the signal for lifting him to the top.
This was accomplished, gently, yet efficiently. Reverent anxiety was etched on the faces of those performing that kindly act of safe deliverance of the heroic Tee-hee-neh. But, the same undismayed fearlessness, and apparent nerve, that had enabled her to descend, did not forsake her now. Firmly fastening her foot to prevent slipping, without other support or protection, she nervously clutched the pole with one hand. She gave a signal of her wishes with the other hand to those above. After a few moments, she was again at the side of her adored, though lifeless, Kos-soo-kah.
A Broken Heart
Silently, tearlessly, she looked for a moment into those eyes that love had once lighted, and at the colorless lips from which she had so delectably sipped the nectar of her earthly bliss. Then, noiselessly, quaveringly, sinking to her knees, she fell upon his bosom. When lifted by gentle hands a few moments later, it was discovered that her spirit had joined that of her Kos-soo-kah, in the hunting grounds of the hereafter. She had died of a broken heart.
The Lost Arrow
The arrow that had so unexpectedly, yet so ruthlessly, brought on this double calamity, was never found. It is believed that it was spirited away by the reunited Tee-hee-neh and Kos-soo-kah. There to be sacredly kept as a memento of their undying love. The heavenward-pointed thumb is still standing there, in the hollow near which Kos-soo-kah’s body was found. It is ever reverently known among all the sons and daughters of Ahwahnee, as Hum-moo, or “The Lost Arrow.”
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/in_the_heart_of_the_sierras/23.html#page_370
YOSEMITE BOOK
The Native American novel Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya re-tells the extraordinary tale of the Ahwahneechees. This illustrated book combines factual events surrounding the California Gold Rush, with compelling storytelling. The⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐reviewed book intriguingly explores the lives of Chief Tenaya and his people as they try to resist the invasion of their homelands during the Mariposa War of 1850/51. The story uses the magnificent backdrop of Yosemite National Park, including the author’s sumptuous photographs.
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NATIONAL PARK OBSESSED have included this Yosemite National Park Book in their “Best Yosemite Books: 25 Books to Read Before Visiting Yosemite National Park“
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.