The Legend of the Twilight of the Two Spirits
Long ago, well before humans inhabited the Earth, the sky and the stars were the only witnesses to the universe. The Great Spirit, creator of all things, fashioned two spirits to oversee the creation of life: Tawiscara , the spirit of darkness, and Iouskeha , the spirit of light.
Tawiscara and Iouskeha, though brothers, were very different. Tawiscara was impulsive, associating life with hardship and chaos. He believed that beings needed to face obstacles to become stronger. He created steep mountains, storms, and wild creatures.
Yusukeha, on the other hand, was calm and wise. He associated life with peace and growth. Under his hands, rivers flowed gently, trees flourished, and the sun's warmth heated the earth. He created the beauty of nature to nourish both humans and animals.
But, despite their differences, Tawiscara and Iouskeha knew that one could not exist without the other. Light needed darkness to distinguish itself, and darkness needed light to avoid engulfing everything.
As they created Earth together, their fragile balance began to waver. Tawiscara wanted her creatures to be the most numerous and powerful, while Iouskeha desired a harmonious Earth, where all forms of life could thrive in peace.
One day, their quarrel reached its peak. Tawiscara, in a fit of rage, shattered a mountain and unleashed winds so powerful they swept across the earth. Iouskeha, saddened, stopped the wind by stretching out his arms and brought down gentle rain to calm the elements. They then decided to confront each other in a spiritual duel, each seeking to prove that their worldview was the best.
The struggle lasted for days and nights on end. Mountains trembled beneath their blows and rivers parted under the force of their spirits. In the end, neither prevailed. They realized that they were both necessary for the balance of life.
To seal this truth, they decided to share the sky. Iouskeha would reign during the day, bringing light and warmth, while Tawiscara would take possession of the night, offering rest and reflection. Thus, the two spirits complemented each other forever, and the balance between light and darkness was maintained.
From that day forward, dusk and dawn symbolized the restored peace between the two brothers. When the sun sets or rises, it serves as a reminder that harmony between light and darkness is essential to life on Earth.
Legends never die; they transform into art, into form and vibration.
Creations inspired by the spirit of legends
Each piece is handcrafted on the Nitassinan by the Ilnu craftsman Dave Verreault-Thisselmagan.
