The Diegueno, also known as the Kumeyaay, are native people of San Diego, California. They tell of a serpent who imparts knowledge of culture, including wisdom, life, vulnerability to death, and loss of innocence...
Earth was a woman and water was a man. Earth was beneath water. Earth bore two sons who stood up and pushed the water until it began the creation of people out of clay. The people planned a ceremony. They built a large enclosure of brush and then invited the great serpent Umai-huhlya-wit from the ocean. He came and for three days attempted to coil himself inside the enclosure. On the third day, the people set fire to the brush. Umai-huhlya-wit's body burnt and scattered; sending all knowledge including songs, magic secrets, ceremonies, languages, and customs, over the land.
Bierhorst, John, Myths & Tales of the American Indians, Indian Head Books, New York, 1976