Origin Myths and Early Colonial Literature

Colonial American Literature Native American Literature Native American Literature Literature of Exploration - Virginia Literature of Exploration - Virginia Northern Colonies Northern Colonies Southern & Middle Colonies Southern & Middle Colonies

The first people… Native Americans immigrated over the land bridge from Asia in 35,000 BC Native Americans immigrated over the land bridge from Asia in 35,000 BC The first Europeans enter North America in 1600’s. The first Europeans enter North America in 1600’s. The last colonies were settled in 1732 The last colonies were settled in 1732

Native American Literature Emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world Emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world Human beings have a kinship with animals, plants, the land, heavenly bodies, and the elements Human beings have a kinship with animals, plants, the land, heavenly bodies, and the elements The human and the nonhuman are seen as parts of a sacred whole The human and the nonhuman are seen as parts of a sacred whole Human beings must maintain a right relationship with the world around them Human beings must maintain a right relationship with the world around them

Native American Literature: Creation Myths

Native American Literature Creation myths explain how the universe, earth, and life began Creation myths explain how the universe, earth, and life began Hero and trickster tales show how the world transformed to its present state Hero and trickster tales show how the world transformed to its present state Ritual songs and chants are used as part of Native American ceremonies Ritual songs and chants are used as part of Native American ceremonies

Oral tradition Native American myths originated as oral tradition: stories passed down verbally Native American myths originated as oral tradition: stories passed down verbally

Myth A traditional story that deals with goddesses, gods, heroes, and/or supernatural forces. A myth may explain a belief, a custom, or a force of nature.

Myths Contain supernatural elements Contain supernatural elements Often explain the unexplainable Often explain the unexplainable Have also been told in order to teach a moral lesson. Have also been told in order to teach a moral lesson. All cultures have myths, though often do not see their stories myth but as fact. All cultures have myths, though often do not see their stories myth but as fact.

Sacred Narratives A more culturally sensitive term for “origin myths” or “creation myths” A more culturally sensitive term for “origin myths” or “creation myths” No culture appreciates their beliefs being called “myths”… No culture appreciates their beliefs being called “myths”… Would you appreciate Genesis being called “Hebrew mythology”? Would you appreciate Genesis being called “Hebrew mythology”?

Four functions of myth:

1. To awaken us to the mystery and wonder of creation

2. To explain the workings of the natural world: every corner, every rock, hill, stone, and flower has its place and its meaning.

3. To pass down the moral and ethical codes that support and validate social customs.

4. To teach : to guide the people through the trials of living to guide the people through the trials of living

Creation Myths Creation myth- explanation for how the world began Creation myth- explanation for how the world began Trickster- some one is creative curious and often gets into trouble. Will sometimes find wisdom through their curiosity. Trickster- some one is creative curious and often gets into trouble. Will sometimes find wisdom through their curiosity.

Essentials of Creation Myths

1. SHOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE TRIBE! (corn, animals, rituals, etc.)- CULTURAL DETAILS!!! 2. State the place and people of origin 3. Describe what existed before the “creation” 4. EXPLAIN the “creation” of things or the beginnings of rituals 5. EXPLAIN who or what did the creating Creation Myths…

More About Native American Literature Oral Traditions Oral Traditions Integration of the natural world with the human world Integration of the natural world with the human world No separation of spiritual and physical No separation of spiritual and physical Importance of ancestors Importance of ancestors Trickster figure – often a coyote Trickster figure – often a coyote Rich literary tradition – developed mythology Rich literary tradition – developed mythology Extremely diverse Extremely diverse Native American legacy today – Sherman Alexie Native American legacy today – Sherman Alexie

Native American Literature The Earth on Turtle’s Back The Earth on Turtle’s Back When Grizzlies Walked Upright When Grizzlies Walked Upright From The Navaho Origin Legend From The Navaho Origin Legend From the Iroquois Constitution From the Iroquois Constitution

Colonial Period

The first migration to the Americas was not by the British. The first migration occurred 20 – 40,000 years ago when Ice Age Hunters traveled from Siberia to Alaska. The first migration occurred 20 – 40,000 years ago when Ice Age Hunters traveled from Siberia to Alaska. Slowly these people and their descendents migrated south. When European exploration began, these were the people who were living in the “New World.”

In 1492, Columbus “discovered” the route to America. Taking Native Americans with him to Spain, stories began to circulate about the wonders of the New World, about its exoticism and bountifulness.

Spanish and French explorers wrote about this new world in over-exaggerated styles, praising its beauty, the place of hopes and dreams. America was viewed as the land of plenty, the land of peace and hospitality, the land of riches

This brought hope for those who were being persecuted across the world. When Europeans began voyaging to this world, they unleashed diseases such as smallpox, measles, typhus, and so on, on the Natives, who were also enslaved and mistreated.

The period of European exploration brought with it a huge body of literature that is referred to as a literature of witness or exploration narratives The early settlers brought with them their knowledge of written communication with its particular style and content. They wrote about their new experiences in forms that were familiar to them – letters, factual records, sermons, and poems.

Captain John Smith: A Description of New England (1616)

The Landing of the Pilgrims, 1620, relief by Enrico Causici on doors of U.S.Capitol Rotunda (1825)

Remember : This passage to the New World was filled with memories of the violence of the old country and the fear of the unknown terrors of the new one: the loss of home, of kinship (relationships, connections), of worldly possessions, of cultural and personal identity