oral tradition ppt

Native AmericanNative AmericanOral TraditionOral Tradition

The Origins of LiteratureThe Origins of LiteratureQuestion 3Question 3

The origin of what we call American The origin of what we call American literature predates the arrival of Europeans in literature predates the arrival of Europeans in the Americas.the Americas.

Oral traditionOral tradition is the foundation of literature is the foundation of literature Early rock carvings and petroglyphs are Early rock carvings and petroglyphs are

perhaps the first examples of perhaps the first examples of writtenwritten languagelanguage

Newspaper Rock (UT)Newspaper Rock (UT)

Newspaper Rock (UT)Newspaper Rock (UT)

petroglyphspetroglyphs

““A Storyteller and His A Storyteller and His Art”Art”

N. Scott Momaday N. Scott MomadayQuestion 1Question 1

““We have no being beyond our We have no being beyond our stories.”stories.”

““Our stories explain us, justify us, Our stories explain us, justify us, sustain us, humble us, and forgive sustain us, humble us, and forgive us. And sometimes they injure and us. And sometimes they injure and destroy us.”destroy us.”

““Perhaps the greatest stories are Perhaps the greatest stories are those which disturb us, which shake those which disturb us, which shake us from our complacency, which us from our complacency, which threaten our well-being.”threaten our well-being.”

Stories & StorytellingStories & StorytellingQuestion 1Question 1

““Make no mistake, we are at risk in the presence of Make no mistake, we are at risk in the presence of words.”words.”

““We are shaken and soothed in turn by stories.”We are shaken and soothed in turn by stories.” “…“…the central function of storytelling is to reflect the the central function of storytelling is to reflect the

forces, within and without us, that govern our lives, forces, within and without us, that govern our lives, both good and bad.”both good and bad.”

““Stories are pools of reflection in which we see Stories are pools of reflection in which we see ourselves through the prism of the imagination.”ourselves through the prism of the imagination.”

-from “A Storyteller and His Art”-from “A Storyteller and His Art” – – N. Scott MomadayN. Scott Momaday

Question 2“The belief that words in themselves have the power

to make things happen —especially words in extraordinary combinations—is one of the distinguishing features of native American thought; and it may be said that for the people who share this belief a connection exists between the sacred and the verbal, or to put it in more familiar terms, a connection between religion and poetry.”- John Bierhorst, The Sacred Path

The Oral TraditionThe Oral TraditionQuestion 2Question 2

Words are powerfulWords are powerful Words are sacredWords are sacred Words are magical: they can bring about Words are magical: they can bring about

physical change in the worldphysical change in the world

Words must be spoken with great careWords must be spoken with great care The speaker must be careful, clear & The speaker must be careful, clear &

deliberate, for he will be deliberate, for he will be taken at his taken at his wordword

There is a connection between the There is a connection between the sacred sacred & the verbal& the verbal; to be careless in the ; to be careless in the presence of words is to violate a presence of words is to violate a fundamental moralityfundamental morality

The Oral TraditionThe Oral TraditionQuestion 2Question 2

Two StoriesTwo StoriesThe ArrowmakerThe Arrowmaker

The Kiowa BrothersThe Kiowa Brothers

The Arrowmaker Question 5The Arrowmaker Question 5

IIf an arrow is well made, it will have tooth marks upon it. That is how you know. f an arrow is well made, it will have tooth marks upon it. That is how you know. The Kiowas made fine arrows and straightened them in their teeth. Then they The Kiowas made fine arrows and straightened them in their teeth. Then they drew them to the bow to see if they were straight. Once there was a man and his drew them to the bow to see if they were straight. Once there was a man and his wife. They were alone at night in their tipi. By the light of the fire the man was wife. They were alone at night in their tipi. By the light of the fire the man was making arrows. After a while he caught sight of something. There was a small making arrows. After a while he caught sight of something. There was a small opening in the tipi where two hides were sewn together. Someone was there on opening in the tipi where two hides were sewn together. Someone was there on the outside, looking in. The man went on with his work, but he said to his wife: the outside, looking in. The man went on with his work, but he said to his wife: “Someone is standing outside. Do not be afraid. Let us talk easily, as of ordinary “Someone is standing outside. Do not be afraid. Let us talk easily, as of ordinary things.” He took up an arrow and straightened it in his teeth; then, as it was right things.” He took up an arrow and straightened it in his teeth; then, as it was right for him to do, he drew it to the bow and took aim, first in this direction and then in for him to do, he drew it to the bow and took aim, first in this direction and then in that. And all the while he was talking, as if to his wife. But this is how he spoke: that. And all the while he was talking, as if to his wife. But this is how he spoke: “I know that you are there on the outside, for I can feel your eyes upon me. If you “I know that you are there on the outside, for I can feel your eyes upon me. If you are a Kiowa, you will understand what I am saying, and you will speak your are a Kiowa, you will understand what I am saying, and you will speak your name.” But there was no answer, and the man went on in the same way, pointing name.” But there was no answer, and the man went on in the same way, pointing the arrow all around. At last his aim fell upon the place where his enemy stood, the arrow all around. At last his aim fell upon the place where his enemy stood, and he let go of the string. The arrow went straight to the enemy’s heart. and he let go of the string. The arrow went straight to the enemy’s heart. From From The Way to The Way to Rainy MountainRainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday. University of New Mexico Press, 1969. by N. Scott Momaday. University of New Mexico Press, 1969.

The ArrowmakerThe ArrowmakerQuestion 5Question 5

The Arrowmaker and his wife survive not because The Arrowmaker and his wife survive not because of the arrow but rather because of of the arrow but rather because of language and language and wordswords..

He is He is “a man made of words”“a man made of words” –– his survival is his survival is contingent on his knowledge of language and his contingent on his knowledge of language and his enemy’s lack of knowledge.enemy’s lack of knowledge.

The story illustrates the importance and power of The story illustrates the importance and power of language in the oral tradition.language in the oral tradition.

The Kiowa Brothers Question 6The Kiowa Brothers Question 6

On a raid against the Utes, one of two brothers was On a raid against the Utes, one of two brothers was captured. The other, alone and of his own will, stole captured. The other, alone and of his own will, stole into the Ute camp and tried to set his brother free, but into the Ute camp and tried to set his brother free, but he too was captured. The chief of the Utes had respect he too was captured. The chief of the Utes had respect for the man’s bravery, and he made a bargain with him. for the man’s bravery, and he made a bargain with him. If he could carry his brother on his back and walk upon If he could carry his brother on his back and walk upon a row of greased buffalo heads without falling to the a row of greased buffalo heads without falling to the ground, both brothers would be given horses and ground, both brothers would be given horses and allowed to return in safety to their home. The man bore allowed to return in safety to their home. The man bore his brother on his back and walked upon the heads of his brother on his back and walked upon the heads of the buffalo and kept his footing. The Ute chief was true the buffalo and kept his footing. The Ute chief was true to his word, and the brothers returned to their own to his word, and the brothers returned to their own people on horseback.people on horseback.

From From The Way to Rainy MountainThe Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday. University of by N. Scott Momaday. University of New Mexico Press, 1969. New Mexico Press, 1969.

Kiowa BrothersKiowa BrothersQuestion 6Question 6

The chief is true to his word even though he The chief is true to his word even though he has nothing to gain and everything to lose by has nothing to gain and everything to lose by doing so.doing so.

The chief fulfills his promise of freeing the The chief fulfills his promise of freeing the brothers brothers andand giving the valuable commodity of giving the valuable commodity of horses to the brothers.horses to the brothers.

The chief never for a moment considers or The chief never for a moment considers or would consider going back on his word.would consider going back on his word.

MythsMyths

Myths Myths Question 4Question 4

The heart of the oral tradition is the story.The heart of the oral tradition is the story.

Myths: traditional stories passed down from Myths: traditional stories passed down from generation to generation, which explain why generation to generation, which explain why the world is the way it is.the world is the way it is.

They characteristically involve immortal They characteristically involve immortal beings and contain magic or the supernaturalbeings and contain magic or the supernatural

MythsMythsQuestion 4Question 4

Myths attempt to explain things such asMyths attempt to explain things such as

Natural phenomenonNatural phenomenon The origin of humansThe origin of humans The customs & religious rights of a The customs & religious rights of a

peoplepeople Events beyond people’s controlEvents beyond people’s control


Through myths and legends Through myths and legends we can see social orders we can see social orders and daily lifeand daily life::

how families were organizedhow families were organized how political structures operatedhow political structures operated how men caught fishhow men caught fish how religious ceremonies felt to the people who took how religious ceremonies felt to the people who took

partpart how power was divided between men and womenhow power was divided between men and women how food was preparedhow food was prepared how honor in war was celebratedhow honor in war was celebrated


Myths teach the values and ideals of a Myths teach the values and ideals of a culture -what that culture holds as culture -what that culture holds as important.important.

Myths are the stories that a culture uses to Myths are the stories that a culture uses to create coherence in its life, values, and create coherence in its life, values, and symbols.symbols.


In myths a culture tells its story of origin In myths a culture tells its story of origin and its understanding of the major issues and its understanding of the major issues of life and death.of life and death.

Myths are not stories in isolation: they Myths are not stories in isolation: they express a culture’s whole life—all that it express a culture’s whole life—all that it is and all that it values.is and all that it values.


Myths and legends are not told merely for Myths and legends are not told merely for enjoyment, education or amusementenjoyment, education or amusement: : they are they are believed.believed.

They give concrete form to a set of beliefs They give concrete form to a set of beliefs and traditionsand traditions that link people today to that link people today to ancestors from centuries and millennia past.ancestors from centuries and millennia past.

Legends and myths are unique in the way they are told and the Legends and myths are unique in the way they are told and the regions and landscapes in which they are set. Yet there are regions and landscapes in which they are set. Yet there are

some universal some universal recurring themes and imagesrecurring themes and images::

the sacred four directions: North, South, East, West in the sacred four directions: North, South, East, West in various formsvarious forms

the children of the sunthe children of the sun the twin brothers who bring culturethe twin brothers who bring culture worlds piled on top of each otherworlds piled on top of each other primordial watersprimordial waters perpetual destruction and recreationperpetual destruction and recreation powerful heroes and tricksters (Veeho, Rabbit, powerful heroes and tricksters (Veeho, Rabbit,

Coyote, Spider Man)Coyote, Spider Man)

Creation MythsCreation Myths Myths and legends of human creation and Myths and legends of human creation and

origin reflect in myriad ways origin reflect in myriad ways a common belief a common belief that people are a living part of the natural that people are a living part of the natural worldworld, brother and sister to the grain and the , brother and sister to the grain and the trees, the buffalo and the bear.trees, the buffalo and the bear.

The Power ofThe Power ofTHE WORDTHE WORD

Kiowa Origin MythKiowa Origin Myth““You know, everything had to begin, and this is how it You know, everything had to begin, and this is how it was: the Kiowas came one by one into the world was: the Kiowas came one by one into the world through a hollow log. There were many more than now, through a hollow log. There were many more than now, but not all of them got out. There was a woman whose but not all of them got out. There was a woman whose body was swollen up with child, and she got stuck in body was swollen up with child, and she got stuck in the log. After that, no one could get through, and that is the log. After that, no one could get through, and that is why the Kiowas are a small tribe in number. They why the Kiowas are a small tribe in number. They looked around and saw the world. It made them glad to looked around and saw the world. It made them glad to see so many things. They called themselves see so many things. They called themselves KwudaKwuda, , “coming out.” “coming out.”

From From The Way to Rainy MountainThe Way to Rainy Mountain– – N. Scott MomadayN. Scott Momaday

Devil’s Devil’s TowerTower

The Native American The Native American myth of the boy who myth of the boy who turns into a bear is turns into a bear is common among many common among many tribes of the Great tribes of the Great Plains.Plains.

The myth explains the The myth explains the natural phenomenon of natural phenomenon of Devil’s Tower and of Devil’s Tower and of the Big Dipper.the Big Dipper.

““Eight children were there at play, Eight children were there at play, seven sisters and their brother. seven sisters and their brother. Suddenly the boy was struck dumb; Suddenly the boy was struck dumb; he trembled and began to run upon he trembled and began to run upon his hands and feet. His fingers his hands and feet. His fingers became claws, and his body was became claws, and his body was covered with fur. Directly there was covered with fur. Directly there was a bear where the boy had been. a bear where the boy had been. The sisters were terrified; they ran, The sisters were terrified; they ran, and the bear after them…and the bear after them…

They came to the stump of a great They came to the stump of a great tree, and the tree spoke to them. It tree, and the tree spoke to them. It bade them climb upon it, and as bade them climb upon it, and as they did so it began to rise into the they did so it began to rise into the air. The bear came to kill them, but air. The bear came to kill them, but they were just beyond its reach. It they were just beyond its reach. It reared against the tree and scored reared against the tree and scored the bark all around with its claws. the bark all around with its claws. The seven sisters were borne into The seven sisters were borne into the sky, and they became the stars the sky, and they became the stars of the Big Dipper.”of the Big Dipper.”

Devil’s Tower, Devil’s Tower, WyomingWyoming

Lakota: Mato Tipila, which means “Bear Tower”

http://www.nps.gov/archive/deto/home.htm

http://www.nps.gov/archive/deto/home.htm

• Their names for the monolith include: Aloft on a Rock (Kiowa), Bear's House (Cheyenne, Crow), Bear's Lair (Cheyenne, Crow), Bear's Lodge (Cheyenne, Lakota), Bear's Lodge Butte (Lakota), Bear's Tipi (Arapaho, Cheyenne), Tree Rock (Kiowa), and Grizzly Bear Lodge (Lakota).

• The name Devil's Tower probably originated in 1875 during an expedition led by Col. Richard Irving Dodge when his interpreter misinterpreted the name to mean Bad God's Tower. This was later shortened to the Devil's Tower.

http://www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/bears/teachersguide/background.html




Verbal EquationsVerbal EquationsSongs, Spells, PrayersSongs, Spells, Prayers

Verbal Verbal EquationsEquations (Question 7)Spells, prayers and songs that are (Question 7)Spells, prayers and songs that are

characteristically characteristically briefbrief, and contain , and contain patternspatterns, , repetitionrepetition and and formulasformulas, all of which make them , all of which make them easier to remembereasier to remember..

(Question 8)Verbal equations are recited at (Question 8)Verbal equations are recited at specific, significant times for an intended purposespecific, significant times for an intended purpose (birth, marriage, travel, sickness, hunting, harvest (birth, marriage, travel, sickness, hunting, harvest time).time).

Question 9Question 9 Spell: a set of directionsSpell: a set of directions Prayer: a requestPrayer: a request Song: a descriptionSong: a description

Birth & InfancyBirth & Infancy

LullabyLullabyBaby, sleep, sleep sleepBaby, sleep, sleep sleepFather has gone to find turtle shellsFather has gone to find turtle shellsHe said he will come back tomorrowHe said he will come back tomorrowBaby, sleep, sleep, sleepBaby, sleep, sleep, sleep

- Creek- Creek

CradlesongCradlesongsleep, little one, your father is bringingsleep, little one, your father is bringinga spotted deer to be your pet,a spotted deer to be your pet,a rabbit’s ear to be your necklace,a rabbit’s ear to be your necklace,spotted bramble fruits to be your toys.spotted bramble fruits to be your toys.

- Mbya- Mbya

Love Songs & Love Love Songs & Love MagicMagic

Woman’s SongWoman’s SongA loonA loonI thought it wasI thought it wasBut it wasBut it wasMy love’sMy love’sSplashing oarSplashing oar

To Sault Ste. MarieTo Sault Ste. MarieHe has departedHe has departedMy loveMy loveHas gone on before meHas gone on before meNever againNever againCan I see himCan I see him

- Chippewa- Chippewa

SongSongEarly morning dawning green,Early morning dawning green,Ah…is the willow so green?Ah…is the willow so green?In the green fields,In the green fields,You gave me your love.You gave me your love.

- Quechua- Quechua

Against Sickness & EvilAgainst Sickness & Evil

Medicine Man’s PrayerMedicine Man’s PrayerListen, my dream!Listen, my dream!This you told me should be done.This you told me should be done.This you said should be the way.This you said should be the way.You said it would cure the sick.You said it would cure the sick.Help me now.Help me now.Do not lie to me.Do not lie to me.Help me, Sun person.Help me, Sun person.Help me to cure this sick man.Help me to cure this sick man.

- Blackfeet- Blackfeet

Prayer Before Killing the Prayer Before Killing the EagleEagle

Do not think that I shall harm you.Do not think that I shall harm you.You will have a new body.You will have a new body.Now turn your head to the north and Now turn your head to the north and

lielieflat!flat!

- Yokuts- Yokuts

War SongWar Songclear the wayclear the wayin a sacred in a sacred

mannermannerI comeI comethe earththe earthis mineis mine

- Sioux- Sioux

Dog Dog SoldierSoldier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNY7L_RdObA

oral tradition ppt

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