NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE Oral Literature: Myths and legends

Functions of the Myths Functions of the Myths The purpose was to show: The purpose was to show: Beliefs about the nature of physical world Beliefs about the nature of physical world Beliefs about social order and appropriate behavior Beliefs about social order and appropriate behavior Beliefs about human nature and the problem of good and evil Beliefs about human nature and the problem of good and evil Preservation and communication of spiritual beliefs Preservation and communication of spiritual beliefs

Characteristics of N.A. Myths Major roles in the stories are often played by animals Major roles in the stories are often played by animals People were ordinary, animals and places were divine People were ordinary, animals and places were divine Often include spiritual outlook based on the Four Directions (North, South, East, West) Often include spiritual outlook based on the Four Directions (North, South, East, West) The early myths led into native legends The early myths led into native legends All were originally oral stories/songs passed down for many generations All were originally oral stories/songs passed down for many generations

Features of Native Literature Stories teach lessons, often spiritual, and are part of their histories Stories teach lessons, often spiritual, and are part of their histories They stories reflect an inclusive view of the natural world, including explanations for natural phenomena, seasons, celestial occurrences, etc. They stories reflect an inclusive view of the natural world, including explanations for natural phenomena, seasons, celestial occurrences, etc. Generally use powerful metaphors Generally use powerful metaphors Use archetypes– certain type of Use archetypes– certain type of character that is used often in various character that is used often in various stories over the ages stories over the ages

Features (cont.) The stories and legends often have ritualistic beginnings and endings The stories and legends often have ritualistic beginnings and endings Progress and change are shown as cyclical, not linear as western thinking normally follows Progress and change are shown as cyclical, not linear as western thinking normally follows Many of the stories have a “trickster” character (often a raven or spider) Many of the stories have a “trickster” character (often a raven or spider) Often uses repetition of special elements, symbols, numbers, etc. Often uses repetition of special elements, symbols, numbers, etc.

Common themes Movement from a sky world to a water world Movement from a sky world to a water world Fortunate fall –creation story Fortunate fall –creation story Earth-diver myth usually involving an earth made from mud or a flood after the universe is created Earth-diver myth usually involving an earth made from mud or a flood after the universe is created Theft of fire Theft of fire Emergence myth– movement of beings from under the surface to the surface of the earth Emergence myth– movement of beings from under the surface to the surface of the earth

Native American Poems More properly called "songs" More properly called "songs" Created for tribal occasions such as initiation rites, healings ceremonies, and planting or hunting rituals Created for tribal occasions such as initiation rites, healings ceremonies, and planting or hunting rituals used to pass on tribal history, social values/mores, and religious beliefs used to pass on tribal history, social values/mores, and religious beliefs Economy of language was also common Economy of language was also common Commonly-used parallelisms and repetitions of similar or contrasting phrases often create the effect of “rhyming thoughts” Commonly-used parallelisms and repetitions of similar or contrasting phrases often create the effect of “rhyming thoughts”

N.A. Poems (cont.) The songs may be grouped as 1) songs of healing 1) songs of healing 2) songs of growth or germination 2) songs of growth or germination 3) songs of vision and dream 3) songs of vision and dream 4) songs of death. 4) songs of death.

Functionality for Self-Awareness Most myths and folklore from the Native American spectrum primarily function as an opportunity for the individual to reflect on his/her place in this world, and, by assuming the responsibility of being “caretakers,” to preserve this world, so “the circle of life is never broken.”