The Creation

The world began in Temecula. Kíwvish ‘atáxvish was the only being. Then Kíwvish ‘atáxvish made Túukumit (the Sky) and Tamáayawut (the Earth). Tamáayawut became the mother of all things. She gave birth to the Káamalam (First People). For food, they ate tóovish (white clay). The Káamalam made their home at a place called ‘Éxva Teméeku, the place now known as Temecula.

While the Káamalam were living at Teméeku, there was a man, Wuyóot, who was very wise. Wuyóot especially admired a beautiful woman named Waxáawut (Frog), but once he saw that her back was hollow and bony like that of a frog, his admiration quickly turned to disgust. Waxáawut read his thoughts and wanted revenge. She and her companions cursed him, and he fell sick. No one could cure Wuyóot, and he died at ‘Iténgvu Wumówmu (Elsinore Hot Springs).

Wuyóot was cremated on Pu’éska Mountain, and after his ashes were buried, the first oak tree grew from them. Three days later, Wuyóot rose in the sky in the shape of Móyla (the Moon) as a promise that he would always be with his people. After Wuyóot’s death, there was no longer tóovish to eat, but Wuyóot had instructed the people to grind acorns from the oak tree for food. The Káamalam also decided that some of the plants and animals would become food for the others. This is how the animals, plants, and the entire world came to be.