The legend behind the man in the maze has many variations. The is the version most often repeated by today’s Tohono O’odham people. In the beginning a power or creator brought about a rave of people in the desert. These people lived for several generations, and as time went on they became sinful… all except for one, Litoi, also known as Elder brother. The creator saw that Litoi was true and told him that a flood would soon kill all the people in the desert. The creator placed Litoi high up on Baboquivari Peak, the sacred mountain of the Tohono O’odham, and let him witness the disaster. Afterward Litoi helped create the Hohokam people from whom the Tohono O’odham and Pima descended. He helped them by teaching the right way in life, and they lived in harmony for many years. However some of the people turned on Litoi and killed him. His spirit fled back atop Baboquivari Peak, where it remains today. From time to time Litoi’s spirit, a form of a very small man would cunningly sneak into the villages and take things from people. In an attempt to catch him they would get confused in all the deceiving turns he made going back to his home atop the peak. Thus in the maze one can see Elder Brother at the top and see his mysterious and bewildering turns on the journey to his mountain home.
The legend does not stop here; it evolves into deeper meaning. To the Tohono O’odham the man at the top of the basket symbolizes birth of the individual, of a family, of a tribe. As the figure goes through the maze, he encounters many turns, many changes. Many of the elderly Tohono O’odham often talk of a turn in their life and liken it to a turn in the maze. Progressing deeper and deeper into the pattern one acquires more knowledge, strength and understanding. As the figure nears the end of the maze he sees his death approaching; the dark center of the pattern. Interestingly, he is able to bypass death and retreat to a small corner of the pattern. It is here that he repents, cleanses himself, and reflects back on wisdom he has gained. Finally pure and in harmony with the world, he accepts death.
Where did the design come from? No one is sure. The maze was found on the old adobe walls at Casa Grande National Monument, probably there long before any Spaniard encountered the structure. Furthermore, ancient coins discovered near the Isle Crete in the Mediterranean were stamped with the same design. It’s conceivable to think that religion, weapons, cooking utensils, even the wheel could have derived separately in both worlds, but to have an intricate design on both continents is staggering.
