Actionless, All-Powerful Old Woman

The Actionless, All-Powerful Old Woman, also known as Hawichyepam Maapuch, is an entity from the legends of the Chemehuevi people of California. She is generally treated more as a force of nature than as a truly personified being. Unknown. (1972). "actionless, all-powerful old woman", in Leach, M. (ed) Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend. 3rd ed. p.8
== Legends ==
It was her power that caused the world-covering waters to recede, allowing Coyote and Puma to come down from Charleston Peak to populate the world. Coyote married a louse, whose eggs hatched into the various human tribes (with the exception of the Chemehuevi, Mohave, and a few other southern tribes who are said to have been born from Coyote's excrement. This was considered favourable treatment). Puma was killed by "eastern enemies", causing an endless night to fall on the world. Coyote eventually recovered daylight and performed a funeral for his brother, setting the pattern for Chemehuevi funerals since. 
A similar myth, containing the Actionless, All-Powerful Old Woman, the death of the elder of the two brothers, and the establishment of funeral rites is also found in the mythology of the Mohave people. 
== References ==
Category:Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend