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NOTES
LÁTKAKÁWAS
Látkakáwas is evidently a sun myth. The young man who wooed Látkakáwas could run in the air and under the ground (Indians thought that the sun traveled from west to east underground). He was beautiful and bright, brighter than anything else in the world. He was immortal while he had the disk. When Kumush stole the disk Látkakáwas’ husband died. The disk became a part of Kumush and he was immortal. His body was reduced to ashes, but he rose up anew, for the disk remained.
There is a condition, however, incident to the resurrection of the sun; he must be called. Some one must rouse him. The morning star has that duty, and will never be freed from it. While the sun exists, the morning star must call him. At the summons of the star the disk springs from the pile of ashes; the sun (represented as Kumush) is renewed completely and goes forth to run his course till consumed again.
Kumush is killed and his body is eaten by crows; only the disk remains. The morning star sees the disk, and calls out: “What are you doing, old man? Get up!” Kumush springs up, through virtue of the immortal disk and the compelling word of the star.
Many Indian tribes have myths in which the morning star figures as the Light-bearer.
The morning star of the Modocs is the same character as the Lucifer of the Latins.