NATIVE/EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE (aka Myths, Tales, Folktales, Folklore)
Native Americans were on this Continent CENTURIES before Europeans There were 100s of thriving unique nations Each had/has its own tradition of literature that was passed down orally Families kept the tradition going Ceremonies were another place where oral stories were retold Myths are an important part of Native American spiritual beliefs It is unknown where the stories originated They were written down only in the last 100 years These stories tell us how the world came to be Many rely heavily on a reverence of the natural world http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/multicultural%20lit_files/native%20amer/native%20america n%20creation%20myths%20basic%20notes.pdf
Telling Stories Native American Mythology Myths and rituals play a central role in traditional Native American cultures Early Native American tribes passed stories down through oral tradition (telling stories verbally instead of writing them down). They were important in giving people a sense of order and identity. They gave people a way to ensure food, explain the unexplainable heal the sick, and teach lessons. As a result of the oral tradition, there are often many versions of a single myth. Native American myths were often derived from ceremonial songs and prayers, hero tales, explanations of things in nature, migration stories, historical stories, and poems. http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/multicultural%20lit_files/native%20amer/native%20am erican%20creation%20myths%20basic%20notes.pdf http:/www.livingmyths.com/native.htm
Define Myth Myth an anonymous oral story Purpose Relies on the supernatural to explain a natural phenomenon, human behavior, or mystery Explains why the world is the way it is/they help make sense of the world Share beliefs about social order and appropriate behavior Share beliefs about human nature and the problem of good versus evil http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/multicultural%20lit_files/native%20amer/native%20american%20creati on%20myths%20basic%20notes.pdf
Totem In many cultures, each group, clan or family would be said to descend from an animal or natural object called the totem That group would be largely responsible for maintaining the myth of the bear People frequently attributed the characteristics of animals to people Example: the Bear Clan would honor the bear, and it in turn would be their guardian spirit Example: bear is strong, dangerous; turtle is reserved methodical http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/multicultural%20lit_files/native%20amer/nati ve%20american%20creation%20myths%20basic%20notes.pdf
Main Types of Native American myths Creation Myth Explains how human lives came to exist Explains the workings of the natural world Supports and validates social customs Guides people through the trials of living Instills a sense of the mystery of the universe and attempts to explain that mystery Origin Myth Explains why phenomena like the stars, moon, and sky came to be and why certain animals have certain characteristics Heroic Journey Myth Tells about a commonplace hero who finds himself on a journey filled with supernatural experiences and challenges - which he wins and returns home with the power to improve his fellow man s lives. http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781555917241 http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/multicultural%20lit_files/native%20amer/native%20america n%20creation%20myths%20basic%20notes.pdf
Trickster Myths A trickster is a crafty creature or being who uses cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief. He disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself. In Native American traditions, the trickster takes many forms. http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/multicultural%20lit_files/native%20amer/native%20a merican%20creation%20myths%20basic%20notes.pdf
Trickster Myths Are important part of Native American mythology Characteristics: Magic Trickery Violence Purpose: The Trickster is an animal with two sides to its personality They create trouble and chaos and reveal wisdom Often is a coyote, a raven or a mink Main difference between tales and myths: myths were regarded as truth, tales as fiction To explain the origins of some aspect of the natural world and/or teach a lesson http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/multicultural%20lit_files/native%20amer/native%20a merican%20creation%20myths%20basic%20notes.pdf
Trickster Tales : Key Terms Animal People the first inhabitants of the world; spirit beings that could take the shape of human or animal (ie: coyote, raven, spider) Anthropomorphism giving human behavior, characteristics, or motivations to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena. Provide disorder which leads to change Challenge beings greater than themselves
Emphasis on the Spiritual Native American myths often emphasize a strong spiritual bond between the creator, humanity and the natural world. It s the duty of humanity to maintain a balance between these entities. Among all tribes there is a strong sense that behind all individual spirits and personifications of the divine, there is a single creative life-force, sometimes called the Great Mystery, which expresses itself throughout the universe, in every human, animal, tree and grain of sand.
Role of Animals in Native American Myths Animals often speak to humans and assist them. Most tribes thought that individual members of a species embodied a particular spirit power.
Role of the Four Directions in Native American Myths The Four Directions (North, South, East, West) are often given powers, which occur either literally or in symbolic form throughout the stories. often represented by particular colors, or by animals. All Four Directions must be in balance for all to be well with the world.
Characteristics of myths and legends Usually begin in a primal world early in the earth s existence, before creation was complete and things are as they are today A cultural hero causes transformation Transformation of characters into animals or natural landmarks Explain how the world is shaped
Recurring ideas among (even unconnected) Native American groups Humans have a connection with nature Conflict between ancient customs and modern life, past and present Storytelling is important ( The Storyteller ) Life as a circle Fire as a symbol
Plot Structure Introduction: a harmonious situation One or more episodes disrupt this harmony Tactics to overcome this disruption and restore harmony Conclusion: the restoration of balance and harmony
Common themes Formation of the world through struggle or robbery Movement between worlds, such as a water world and a sky world Creation through an earth-diver who brings up supplies from a lower world Theft of fire
The World on the Turtle s Back World on Turtle s Back Onodaga -- Iroquois Creation Myth
Author s purpose : Origin myth which describe the creation of the earth. Shows that weaker and smaller animals can accomplish things that larger and stronger animals have failed to complete teaches that you have determination nothing will stand in your way. Sometimes it is good to be curious. If no one was ever curious than we would not have the newer, better things in the world today.
Questions 1. According to this myth, what existed before the earth? 2. What part does nature and the natural world play in this creation? (i.e. What natural elements appear in this story, and what do they do?) 3. List three major animal characters in this myth. Beside each animal, write an adjective that would appropriately describe this character's traits. (You should answer this item as a list rather than as a complete sentence.) 4. From this myth what do we learn about the Iroquois (a) attitude toward nature, (b) view of their gods, (c) important food, games and rituals (d) beliefs about good and evil? 5. What do you think is the author s purpose in telling this tale? What sort of lesson or ethic is trying to convey, or what is trying to explain?
The Navajo Origin Legend
Literary techniques & author's purpose : The author used symbolism in the literature. The corn was placed facing east and west, relating to the passage of the sun. The man and woman were created from the corn and the buckskin. The corn & deer are basic foods which provide life for the Navajo. The four gods represent the four directions of the wind which gave life to the humans. The purpose of the story is to examine how the Navajo people believed the human race was created. It is an origin myth telling how marriage began.
Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What purpose does the cornmeal serve in this myth ("The Navajo Origin Myth")? What might be the speaker's purpose in telling this story? Explain your answer. What cultural values can you learn from the story? Why is the wind considered to be sacred and important to the continuation of life? What elements/themes/symbols from your notes relate to this myth?
COYOTE AND THE BUFFALO Retold by Mourning Dove of the Salish People
Author s Purpose Trickster Tale many times are contradictory as both a creator of order out of chaos and a destroyer of order which represses creative energies Mythic explains how something came to be
Questions What are the consequences of Coyote s disregarding Buffalo Bull s warning? Does Coyote get what he deserves at the end of the story? Why or why not? Trickster tales endure, in part, simply because they are fun to read. But they also often serve to teach a lesson or moral. What does Coyote and the Buffalo teach or explain? Support your answer with evidence from the text. This trickster tale gives clues about a society s way of life. Name three things that were important in the Okanogan culture.
Elements of a Trickster Tale Involves Deceit Includes Violence Uses Magic Explains an Aspect of Human Nature Main Character Displays Contradictory Qualities Examples
When Grizzlies Walked Upright Modoc
Author s purpose : Explains the creation of Mount Shasta and the land and animals nearby. Tells how the daughter of the Sky Spirit marries a bear and their children become the first Native Americans. The Native Americans living around the mountain would never kill a grizzly bear because of this story. This myth teaches us that when you disobey someone, such as your parents, you can get other people punished for your mistake.
Questions According to this myth ("When Grizzlies Walked Upright"), does the Chief of the Sky Spirits discover or create the earth? Explain your answer. Explain why the original audience might have considered Mount Shasta to be sacred after hearing this story. What lessons about the tribe s values or ethics is taught through this story? What did the grizzlies do to be cursed? Was this a justified punishment? Explain your answer. Why would the audience feel more respect for the grizzlies after hearing this story? What other connections can you make between this story and the notes you took?
Totem poles are an ancient tradition of the Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest Coast--Washington state in the USA, British Columbia in Canada--and some of the Athabaskan tribes of southern Alaska. Contrary to popular belief, the Southwest Indians, Plains Indians, and Inuit never carved totem poles (think of how there are no trees big enough!) Native American totem poles are not only aesthetically pleasing; they are also culturally significant to the indigenous people who made them. Native American totem poles can be a symbol of the history of a family or of the whole tribe. They can also be a record of traditions, legends, or spiritual stories. Native American totem poles are hand carved from large pieces of wood. They usually contained themes and were covered with pictures of animals. They often sat in the center of a family s tent and if they had to be moved only a man could carry it. In other cases the poles were placed outside of the tents as a status symbol.
A totem is actually an animal guide that is assigned to an individual; a totem pole is a piece of wood that is carved with a person's totems. Native Americans tradition states a person is assigned nine animal guides that provide spiritual direction both in this life and the next. Among these nine is one main guardian spirit that is designated as the totem animal. This guardian can convey wisdom and direction only if a person recognizes the animal and understands how to communicate with it.