The Legend of Dah-nol-yo, Squaw Rock

Along the Russian River, beneath towering redwoods and rugged mountain slopes, an ancient Pomo legend gives a human face to the striking landmark known as Squaw Rock. The story follows Chief Con-che Tadi, his devoted wife Ma-cha-ta, and their peaceful twin sons, Ca-ba-ba and Bu-tah-so, whose lives change when a mysterious woman appears with uncanny power over the natural world.

As the brothers encounter this beautiful stranger, ambition, jealousy, and questions of worth disturb their family’s harmony. Her warning sets in motion a dramatic tale of magic, judgment, and remembrance, explaining the stone face said to watch over the mountain. The narrative preserves a traditional story while connecting it to the landscape surrounding the river.

Alongside the legend are glimpses of the region’s valleys, forests, camps, waterways, native dwellings, and wildlife. The result is both a compact piece of folklore and a scenic journey through a changing California landscape, inviting listeners to imagine the places where story, memory, and stone meet.