her home in clouds on the horizon, while Hadintin Skhin and Hadinti{~COMBINING BREVE~}n
Nalin sought homes among the clouds in the south, and Nokuse may still be
seen in the northern sky at night.

The Apache is inherently devoutly religious; his life is completely
moulded by his religious beliefs. From his morning prayer to the rising
sun, through the hours, the days, and months--throughout life itself--every
act has some religious significance. Animals, elements, every observable
thing of the solar system, all natural phenomena, are deified and revered.
Like all primitive people, not understanding the laws of nature, the
Apache ascribe to the supernatural all things passing their understanding.
The medicine-men consider disease evil, hence why try to treat evil with
drugs? Disease is of divine origin, so to the beneficent and healing gods
the Apache naturally make supplication for cure.

The Apache, even if willing, could not directly impart their religious
beliefs or their philosophy. It is only by study of their myths, myth
songs, and medicine practices, and by close observance of their life, that
a comprehensive idea of such beliefs can be gained.

A concise outline of the mythology of the Apache is given in the following
description of the painted medicine skin(2) shown in the accompanying
plate.

A--The nucleus of the universe, called Chalhke{~COMBINING BREVE~}lh Naliin, Night Girl. In
the beginning it was merely a spot of color in which, during the course of
time, a form appeared, and later emerged. This was Kuterastan, the
Creator.

B--Kuterastan, the Creator of All, is standing on the clouds, his first
home, holding lightning in each hand. To his left is the _tus_, or water
bottle, in which the people of the earth took refuge from the flood
shortly after their creation. Above him are four clouds, those into which
he departed when leaving the earth for his celestial abode. He first
created several assistants, who in turn created others by rubbing sweat
and small particles of cuticle from the face and body.

C--Stenatlihan, the chief goddess, first helper of Kuterastan, is seen
standing on the clouds. In her right hand is a pinon tree, from the
branches and gum of which the large _tus_ was made at the time of the
deluge. Above her flies Datilye, the Humming-bird, who was sent as a
messenger about the world to note how its creation progressed.

D--Chuganaai Skhin was the second person created by Kuterastan