The Great Spirit Whale

Like many indigenous cultures, the Konkaak people (colonial name: Seri) of Mesopotamia were invaded by missionaries who attempted to "educate" and "enlighten" the non-Christian world. Although the Konkaaks fiercely fought to protect their lifestyle and culture, those in power were ultimately able to subdue and control their once self-determined destinies. While the Konkaaks once called the Isle de Tiburon (Shark Island) their home, the Mexican government forced them to move inland so that they could "educate" their children and integrate the Konkaaks into modern life. The government made their land (now the state of Sonora) a wildlife sanctuary and sent military to the island to ensure the land would not be inhabited. Sadly, much of the indigenous Konkaak culture has been strategically destroyed, and the remaining Konkaaks struggle to keep their ways alive. The Legend of the Spirit Whale, however, has been preserved and is still passed to new generations as an important spiritual and cultural knowledge.

The Konkaak culture has a fear of darkness. Animate forces lurk in the darkness and are able to do their "work" only in the absence of light and when the sun is not present. A female sea serpent, for example, becomes angry and doesn't like humans wandering in her domain (darkness). The spirits of coyotes prowl in the darkness with the goal of avenging their deaths. Other forces reside in the darkness that will inflict incurable illnesses on those who encounter them at night.

The Spirit Whale, however, is a spirit that will bless a seeker with great mystical and healing abilities - but only if he or she is able to confront the risks of darkness. There is a specific cave situated deep in the rocks in a hidden area on the coast near the village of Desemboque. The Spirit Whale can be found in this cave.

The Spirit Whale can also be seen at midnight if one stares to the west at Guardian Angel Island. The Spirit Whale will be seen gliding on the waves. One must stare directly at the Spirit Whale without flinching or fear. The Spirit Whale will leave the water and become airborne, flying directly at the seeker. He or she must be very diligent and must not look away. In the last moment before the Spirit Whale collides with the seeker, providing that he/she did not run or look away, it radiates a powerful force that penetrates the seeker's being. This force will protect the seeker from evil and he/she will be able to walk in the darkness without being harmed. He or she will be granted great mystical and healing abilities and will be treated with respect and seen as a Shaman.

Due to outside influence, most Konkaak people consider themselves Christian. They do, however, "secretly" adhere to their traditional customs and spiritual practices. Although the missionaries and colonialism have purposely destroyed much of Konkaak culture, the Legend of the Spirit Whale lives on.