Beginnings to 1750: Meeting of CulturesNative American Creation Stories

Native Americans Were on this Continent Centuries Before Europeans

There were hundreds of thriving unique nations

Each had / has its own tradition of literature that was passed down orally.

Families kept the tradition going; ceremonies were where oral stories were retold

The stories often called myths can be an important part of Native American spiritual beliefs.

An Important Part of the Oral Tradition is the Myth Myth – an anonymous oral story The myth relies on the supernatural to

explain a natural phenomenon, human behavior, or mystery

Myths explain why the world is the way it is / they help make sense of the world.

Purposes of the Creation Myth To explain the workings of the natural world To support and validate social customs To guide people though the trials of living To instill a sense of the mystery of the

universe and attempts to explain that mystery

To explain how human lives came to exist Native American myths often emphasize a

strong spiritual bond between the creator, humanity, and the natural world.

Rhythm and Native American Myths Native Americans often used rhythm to

help them remember their very long stories

Drums and cymbals were used as aids Also believed that the drum repetition

could enable the singer to communicate with the world of animals, nature, and spirits.

The Oral Tradition The stories we’ll read were passed on by

word of mouth It is unknown where the stories

originated These stories tell us how the world

came to be Many rely heavily on a reverence (deep

respect) of the natural world

“The Earth on Turtle’s Back” Told by the Onondaga – one of the

original five member nations (originally from Canada. “lived in what is now central New York

State.” Did not believe in violence, very

hospitable people