Oral Literatures

Culture “Culture is a system of beliefs and values through which a group of people structure their experience of the world” “Culture is a system of beliefs and values through which a group of people structure their experience of the world” –Native American Literature and literature in general is one means by which we identify cultural formation

Western Cultural Text Bible Bible –Great Bible –King James Genesis Genesis –Myth vs. Truth

Oral Literatures Simon Ortiz, the Pueblo poet: “The Oral tradition is not just speaking and listening, because what it means to me and to other people who have grown up in that tradition is that whole process,... Of that society in terms of its history, its culture, its language, its values, and subsequently, its literature. So it’s not merely a simple matter of speaking and listening, but living that process” (Ruoff 5). Simon Ortiz, the Pueblo poet: “The Oral tradition is not just speaking and listening, because what it means to me and to other people who have grown up in that tradition is that whole process,... Of that society in terms of its history, its culture, its language, its values, and subsequently, its literature. So it’s not merely a simple matter of speaking and listening, but living that process” (Ruoff 5).

Characteristics Power of the word Power of the word Power of silence Power of silence Reverence for the land/ the importance of place Reverence for the land/ the importance of place Emphasis on directionality and circularity Emphasis on directionality and circularity Sense of community Sense of community Delivered aurally Delivered aurally Was recorded by anthropologists Was recorded by anthropologists

Myth What is the nature of myth? What is the nature of myth? What, then, does one mean by “truth”? What, then, does one mean by “truth”?

Genres Ritual Dramas Ritual Dramas –Chants –Ceremonies –Rituals Songs Songs Narratives Narratives Oratory Oratory