Native American Literature: “The World on the Turtle’s Back”

General Background  The Native Americans who created the first American literature were greatly influenced by their natural surroundings.  “They had complex religious beliefs, sophisticated political systems, and strong social values, all reflected in their literatures” (The Language of Literature 20).  Most Native American literature was told through the oral tradition. The pieces we will read in our textbook “were collected in the early 1900’s and translated into English by anthropologists” (21).

Influences in Native American Literature  Most Native American literature emphasizes a harmonious relationship with the natural world.  “In Native American belief, humans have a kinship with animals, plants, the land, heavenly bodies, and the elements” (21).  Native Americans placed great importance on maintaining “a right relationship with the world around them”, and this can be seen reflected in their literature.

“The World on the Turtle’s Back”: An Iroquois Myth  The piece we are reading today is “an Iroquois explanation of how the world was created ” (24).  “Iroquois refers to a league of 5 separate Native American peoples-the Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Mohawk-who united in confederation in the 14 th century ” (24).  The Iroquois lived in the “woodlands of what is now New York State, the region roughly extending from the Hudson River in the east to the Great Lakes in the west” (24).

Important Literary Terms to Know  Myth : a traditional story, passed down through generations, that explains why the world is the way it is. Events usually result from the actions of supernatural beings.  Creation myth : explains how the universe, earth, and life began.  Oral Tradition : passing down a culture’s history and stories by word-of-mouth rather than writing them down.