Nundawao: Birthplace of the Seneca Nation

Nundawao: Birthplace of the Seneca Nation

The Finger Lakes region of New York is not only a place of natural beauty but it is also of deep historical and cultural significance. For the Seneca people, this region is home to their origins. The origin story of Nundawao, tells the story of their emergence and connection to the land.

Origins at South Hill

According to Seneca oral tradition, their ancestors first appeared at a site known as Nundawao, located at the southern end of Canandaigua Lake. The Seneca refer to themselves as Onödowága', meaning "Great Hill People," a reference to this sacred place.

South Hill, the believed location of Nundawao, provided an ideal environment for early Seneca settlements. Rich in forests, freshwater, and fertile soil, the region allowed the Seneca to develop a sustainable way of life. Adjacent to South Hill is Bare Hill, known as Genundowa to the Seneca, a site that remains culturally significant. Rising approximately 865 feet above Canandaigua Lake, Bare Hill is linked to Seneca ceremonies and myths, further cementing the region's importance in their history.

The Emergence Story

The legend recounts that the earth opened at Kanandague, allowing the first Seneca people to step into the world. This act of creation laid the foundation for their identity, shaping their spiritual and cultural values.

Over time, the Seneca people flourished, establishing villages and governance structures that contributed to the formation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy—a powerful alliance that played a significant role in shaping North American history.

Jogah

A unique aspect of the Nundawao legend involves the Jogah, or "Drum Dancers," who are said to inhabit the region. Described as benevolent but mischievous, these spiritual beings acted as guardians of nature, guiding hunters and protecting sacred lands.

Oral traditions warn that disrespecting the land could provoke the Jogah, leading to misfortune. This reinforces a central tenet of Seneca beliefs—that humans must live in balance with nature.

Preserving Seneca Heritage

Despite centuries of displacement and challenges, the Seneca Nation continues to honor its heritage. Today, efforts to preserve and share Seneca culture are visible through educational programs and historical sites.

One of the most significant is the Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, NY. This site includes a full-scale replica of a 17th-century Seneca longhouse, a museum detailing Haudenosaunee history, and miles of trails that traverse historic Seneca lands.

In addition to preservation efforts, the Seneca Nation actively engages in cultural revitalization. Language programs, traditional ceremonies, and legal efforts to reclaim ancestral lands are all part of an ongoing movement to keep their history alive.

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Watch: Nundawao and the Coming of the Senecas

A pageant of Nundawao embracing the master legend of the Canandaigua Hills was produced by the Nundawaga Society at the Sycamore grove at the northern end of West River Road, between Middlesex and Naples.  The pageant was based on Arthur Caswell Parker's book and directed by William Gordon Dustan.
 The pageant was held from 1954 to 1958.

You can get the e-book or print version of Seneca Myths and Folk Tales by Arthur C. Parker Here

Explore and Learn More

For those interested in exploring the roots of the Seneca people, the Finger Lakes region offers numerous sites of historical importance. Walking the land where the Seneca trace their origins can provide a deeper understanding of their enduring legacy.

How You Can Learn More and Support The Preservation of their history:

Visit Ganondagan State Historic Site to experience Seneca history firsthand.

Support preservation efforts through membership donations or volunteer work.

Share the story of Nundawao to help keep this cultural heritage alive.

Stargazing in the Nevada Desert - Mount Irish Petroglyph Site

The Nevada desert has a way of surprising you, no matter how often you visit. It’s full of out-of-the-way landmarks that don’t make it into travel brochures. One of those places is the Mount Irish Petroglyph Site,  located about 120 miles north of Las Vegas in Lincoln County, Nevada, a spot where ancient stories are carved into stone. 

The petroglyphs aren’t just art either. They’re the effort of people who lived here long before modern society. Stories in stone, inspired by the same vast desert landscape you’ll experience when you visit.

And yes, there’s something about standing out there, far away from city lights and noise, that makes time feel different. The night sky looks endless, and the stars feel more present than anywhere else—not just visually, but spiritually. It’s not just about seeing the petroglyphs or the stars; it’s about feeling like you’re part of an existence so much bigger than your day-to-day.

Stargazing around Mount Irish - Lincoln County, Nevada

Mount Irish Petroglyph Site

Here, among the petroglyph-covered rocks, you can look across the landscape and also gaze up at the same stars that inspired ancient hands to carve their stories into stone. There’s a quiet magic in standing where history was made, as constellations light up the night and bridge the gap between past and present.

• Accessibility: It is recommended that when traveling out there, a sturdy two wheel drive vehicle may be sufficient to navigate the roads to the site but 4WD vehicle is preferable. And don't forget your camping gear and supplies. Especially if you don't have room to sleep in your vehicle.
  
  

Nearby locales:

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

A calm oasis of sorts about 30 miles south of Mount Irish Petroglyph site, this refuge offers more than wildlife sightings.. it’s also an amazing place to camp at and stargaze.

Tikaboo Valley

The vast expanses of Tikaboo Valley, known for their eerie beauty and famed proximity to Area 51, are a magnet for both stargazers and UFO enthusiasts. Out here, beneath a dome of uninterrupted starlight, the sense of the infinite is undeniable. And who knows? You might just catch sight of unidentified objects traversing the night sky.

Best Times of Year to Visit Mount Irish

What month is best for stargazing at Mount Irish?

The best time of year to visit Mount Irish for stargazing is from April to June. That time of year has many reasons why it is a great time of year for stargazing there:

Stable weather conditions that give a clear view of the sky.

You'll have more hours of darkness if you're something who enjoys stargazing for hours on end.

The area around Mount Irish is known for its dark night sky views, making it an excellent location for stargazing year-round.

Some tips to help with your stargazing experience:

Plan your visit during a new moon phase for the darkest skies possible.

The summer months (late spring to early autumn) offer views of the Milky Way's core stretching across the southern horizon, especially around midnight or later.

The best stargazing opportunities at Mount Irish coincide with new moons and meteor showers throughout the year. The Perseid meteor shower, peaking around August 12, offers a spectacular summer display with up to 90 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The Geminid meteor shower, peaking on December 13-14, provides a winter stargazing spectacle with potential rates of up to 150 meteors per hour.

For the Geminids, be prepared for cold temperatures, as winter nights in the Nevada desert can be frigid. Despite the chill, the Geminids are known for their distinctive greenish hue, making them particularly captivating.

Aligning your visit with these celestial events can significantly enhance your stargazing experience at Mount Irish under Nevada's dark desert skies, offering not only dark skies but also the added bonus of meteor showers

Recommendations of what to bring with you

• Bring a Red Flashlight: As simple as covering a flashlight in red cellophane. Preserves your night vision.
• Seating: For if you plan to be stargazing for a while.
  
• Layers, Winter Gloves, and Handwarmers or other supplies for warmth: Desert nights can surprise you with their chill. 
• Binoculars or Telescope

Related Links:

https://www.rachel-nevada.com/places/irish_petroglyphs.html
https://travelnevada.com/stargazing/dark-sky-parks-in-nevada/
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/nevada/mt-irish-petroglyphs
https://www.summitpost.org/mount-irish-nv/714172
https://www.gjhikes.com/2019/11/mount-irish-site-vi.html
https://lincolncountynevada.com/exploring/rocking/rock-art/mount-irish-rock-art-site/

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - 1980 TV Adaptation of the Washington Irving Story

Looking for a Halloween flick that's less scary and with a bit of comedy? This 1980 TV adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a more lighthearted take on the book and yet is still a spooky treat. Jeff Goldblum stars as the awkward Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher who's more interested in books and teaching than brawls. He's got his hands full with the local tough guy, Brom Bones (who is played by Dick Butkus), and the beautiful Katrina van Tassel (Meg Foster).

The movie has a few laughs, from Ichabod's clumsiness to some of his interactions with the schoolchildren and townspeople. But don't worry, there are still enough spooky scenes to keep things interesting. The Headless Horseman might not be the scariest portrayal ever in film adaptations, but the directing and story style of this film keeps the character and film's atmosphere eerie enough.

So grab a snack, turn off the lights, and watch an adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow that you'll definitely keep in your Halloween playlist.



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In addition to this film adaptation of the book, you can read the full eBook for free at https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41

Also available are the Paperback Version of the original short story and the Little Golden Book based on the adaptation by Disney.

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In The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Irving localizes the story by tying it to the ghostly sightings of Hessian soldier by many from the American Revolutionary War. Hessians were German mercenaries who fought for the British, and in Irving's tale, the Headless Horseman is said to be a decapitated Hessian whose ghost haunts the area around Sleepy Hollow (Tarrytown).

Irving's story is set in a real place, and local legends of ghosts and supernatural occurrences already existed in that Sleepy Hollow region following the years after the violent Battle of White Plains, the battle in which many, including many Hessians, were killed or missing.

The stories of the sightings of the Hessian came from citizens starting around the late-1770s were straightforward. Irving's portrayal of the headless horseman was a bit more detailed for story's sake though.

But the spectre that citizens of the time saw was very much real and not overly detailed, past being brief or semi-brief sightings. Expectedly, there are still claims of sightings in the natural (wooded) areas in parts of Sleepy Hollow and into Tarrytown.

Self-Sufficiency in a Pinch: Growing Foods from Grocery Store Items

During a crisis or when there are problems with the supply chain, seeds can run out quickly because many people are trying to buy them all at once. This can make it hard for anyone who wants to start a garden.

One way to deal with this issue, even though people are still buying things in a panic, is to buy grocery store items that you can plant. For example, you can save seeds from fruits and vegetables you buy, like tomatoes or peppers, and use them to grow your own plants. This can help you have a garden even if regular seeds are hard to find. Plus, growing your own food can be a fun hobby or a full-on endeavor to provide for yourself and your family.

Whole Grains

Whole grains like brown rice, wheat berries, popcorn, quinoa can be planted.

Ensure the grain is undamaged and in its whole form. Such as with the bran intact)

Beans, Lentils, and Peas

Dried beans, lentils, and peas can be planted, as long as they are whole and not split.

Soaking them before planting helps in their growth.

Nuts and Root Plants

Peanuts - If not roasted then they can be planted.

Root plants such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, turmeric can be grown.

Grocery store products may have chemicals to prevent sprouting, but washing and storing them in a dark place can counteract this.

Other Root Vegetables - Carrots, beets, celery, turnips can be planted directly and will root and grow with minimal care.

Green Onions

Green onions can be replanted. Just cut the greens and plant the 'bulb' section in soil.

Another upside is that they can continuously regrow, allowing for repeated harvests throughout the season or for planting more.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic from the store can also be planted.

Seed onions and garlic from a garden center might produce better results, but grocery store varieties will work in a pinch as long as they look healthy.

Harvesting and Planting Seeds

Seeds from grocery store produce like melons, peppers, okra, avocados, pumpkins, squash, and tomatoes can planted too. Of course, for a lot of varieties of these, whether they grow or not depends on your growing zone.

Even if some of these are hybrids, they can still be grown, though the plants that grow from the may be different from the item you bought.

Spices

The spice aisle is another source for seeds.

Seeds like dill, caraway, coriander, sesame, and black pepper can be planted.

Bird Seed and Livestock Feed

Bird seed and Chicken Scratch feed can also provide viable seeds.

These can include corn, oats, wheat, barley, sorghum, milo, millet, and sunflower seeds.

In a pinch, grocery stores offer a variety of items that can be used to start a garden when seeds are unavailable.

The Regrower’s Handbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Sufficiency. Use Your Groceries to Regrow Fruit, Vegetables, Herbs and Mushrooms From Roots, ... Seeds (Homesteading Handbooks by Kelly Reed)

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With a bit of thinking, sourcing seeds from unexpected places like whole grains, beans, root vegetables, spices, and bird seed can help maintain self-sufficiency or even a gardening hobby.

By thinking outside the box and using these different items, you can still grow your own food and be more self-sufficient, even when traditional seeds are hard to find. It’s a great way to make the most of what you have.