According to the Hopi natives, in a certain part of the Grand Canyon there is a passage to the underworld called Sipapu. And from the depths of the underworld, the guardian of death, Maasaw is said to wander.
Looking at the expansive landscape of the Grand Canyon, it is no wonder that people considered it a sacred place and that many legends, myths and stories, both up-to-date and old, are embedded in this rugged landscape.
The canyon is sacred to many indigenous tribes who believe that when they begin navigating the Colorado River in the canyon, they begin a journey from human life to the next phase of the afterlife, and that the Canyon itself is a gateway to another dimension, the afterlife and the underworld. The canyon is believed to contain a magical energy that these tribes believe in and that travelers should respect.
Sipapu and the gate to the underworld
There are many legends about the creation of the Grand Canyon, such as the Havasupai tribe telling the story of two rival gods who fought for world domination and flooded the entire world, which created the Canyon.
However, according to the Hopi people, the Canyon also holds a door to the afterlife.
In the area around Crash Canyon, where legends about the ghosts of the 1956 Air Crash circulate, there are also those who believe that a sipapu, a gateway to the underworld, has been found.
Traditionally, it is believed to be where the Hopi ancestors came from and a place to which the dead can return.
The site is described as a huge reddish lump with a hole, which can also be found recreated in the ground on the floors of their kiva, or basement, where political or religious meetings were held. The area is mostly closed to tourists, and the surrounding trails are known as some of the scariest trails in America.
Underground
The Hopi have a forceful mythological tradition, but there are many different versions of each story, even from village to village.
A central part of their mythology is the creation story in which Spider Woman called Sotuknang, a powerful deity, helped create the world and led the Hopi to emerge from the underworld through a door called Sipapu into the present world through a series of trials.
They were the first humans to pass through this hole, transforming into humans before breaking into various tribes as they migrated through the land.
The Hopi also worship kachinas, spiritual beings representing various aspects of life and nature, and perform elaborate ceremonies to honor them, seeking blessings of rain, fertility and prosperity.
Boring canyon haunt
Maasaw, the Hopi god known as the guardian of death, is said to inhabit a particular region of the Grand Canyon, which the Hopi people believe is the passage from the Third World to the Fourth, known as sipapu. He is also known as the Skeleton Man and the guardian of the door to the Fifth World.
He is described as wearing a terrifying mask, but is often said to be handsome and jeweled underneath, although this depends on who you ask, as he is also said to be a bloody and terrifying creature.
Legends warn that if at night you see strange lights approaching from deep within the canyon or hear a clattering sound as if rocks were hitting each other, it could be Maasaw coming for you via Sipapu.
Superstition of the area
Both the natives and the rangers who work there are very superstitious about where they believe Sipapu is, and some believe that spirits can be found in these parts where the veil between the two worlds is so skinny. The Hopi warn people to “avert their eyes” from this for reasons of respect and safety. There are even stories of helicopter pilots not looking down as they flew over.
Visitors to the area often report feelings of nausea and anxiety and seem to be more prone to accidents such as falls, with some even reporting that they have been struck by lightning.
It is also said that strange whispers can be heard in the darkness and, according to some, it is also a place where the spirits and apparitions of the Hopi people can be seen still roaming the worlds.
Reference:
Sparrows – WikipediaAmerica's Scariest Trails: The Grand Canyon Tragedy
The strangest unsolved mysteries of the Wild West
Hopi mythology – Wikipedia
Image Source: Pixabay.com
