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Image 6
Petroglyphs and Pictographs: Wyoming's Original
Artwork
Number Six: “Water Ghost” – Hot Springs
County
 The
water ghost, water baby, child of the water, and water sprite
are in a general class of supernatural water deities found among
Uto-Aztecan speakers. They serve several roles that can be related
to war. Among the Shoshone, for example, they are called “pan
dzoavits”, said to make men hardy in war. Individuals who
get their power can possess the power to cure arrow or bullet
wounds.
Water babies are often described as having indistinct facial
features but very large hands and feet. Among some groups of Shoshone
they are said to make the water hot in the geysers, bubbling springs
and mud pots. One of the best known of the Sheep Eater Shoshone
Indians --Togwotee – had the power of the “pan dzoavits”.
In this larger than life-size figure, the well-made bow and
arrow is an indicator of the war-related power. Note the rattle
in the same hand as the bow and the arrow point dangling from
the arm as a talisman; these arrow points were also symbols associated
with the water ghosts in general. The wavy lines are often an
indication of a being that is under water.
An excavation at the base of this figure, lead by Dr. George
Frison of the University of Wyoming, revealed twelve tubular sandstone
and steatite sucking pipes. These pipes – used by Shoshone
medicine men to suck out the magical arrows shot into people by
ghosts – were apparently buried at the site by a medicine
man, who had the power of the “pan dzoavits”.
Reproduction of a tracing completed by Linda Olson. Research
funded by the Bureau of Land Management – Worland and Minot
State University.
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