Native American Oral Tradition

N. Scott Momaday Biography Kiowa author & historian Kiowa author & historian House Made of Dawn (Pulitzer 1969) was one of first Native American works to interest mainstream readers & scholars House Made of Dawn (Pulitzer 1969) was one of first Native American works to interest mainstream readers & scholars Interested in the culture of Native Americans and in what their stories mean for us today Interested in the culture of Native Americans and in what their stories mean for us today Has revived interest in Native Americans and shown that their art deserves as much appreciation as Greek or Scandinavian works Has revived interest in Native Americans and shown that their art deserves as much appreciation as Greek or Scandinavian works

N. Scott Momaday’s Ideas “We have no being beyond our stories.” 1) In what ways are we, as people, products of the stories we tell? 2) What function do stories serve in our society (ranging from those we tell each other to blockbuster movies)

Native American Perspective: The Oral Tradition Words are powerful & magical. Words are powerful & magical. Words can bring about physical change in the world. Words can bring about physical change in the world. Words are sacred & rare, and must be spoken with great care Words are sacred & rare, and must be spoken with great care

Native American Perspective: The Oral Tradition Cont. The speaker must be careful in choosing what is said, for it will be taken as a reflection upon him or herself. The speaker must be careful in choosing what is said, for it will be taken as a reflection upon him or herself. There is a connection between the sacred & the verbal. Careless use of language is a poor reflection on character and breaks the ethical both between the sacred & the verbal. There is a connection between the sacred & the verbal. Careless use of language is a poor reflection on character and breaks the ethical both between the sacred & the verbal.

Summary Write a summary of what we have already discussed on the lines provided on your handout. Write a summary of what we have already discussed on the lines provided on your handout. As a team, RoundRobin what we have already discussed and draw conclusions about the information presented to you As a team, RoundRobin what we have already discussed and draw conclusions about the information presented to you

“The Sky Tree” The Sky Tree as retold by Joseph Bruchac In the beginning, Earth was covered with water. In Sky Land, there were people living as they do now on Earth. In the middle of that land was the great Sky Tree. All of the food which the people in that Sky Land ate came from the great tree. The old chief of that land lived with his wife, whose name was Aataentsic, meaning “Ancient Woman,” in their long house near the great tree. It came to be that the old chief became sick, and nothing could cure him. He grew weaker and weaker until it seemed he would die. Then a dream came to him, and he called Aataentsic to him. “I have dreamed,” he said, “and in my dream I saw how I can be healed. I must be given the fruit which grows at the very top of Sky Tree. You must cut it down and bring that fruit to me.” Aataentsic took her husband’s stone ax and went to the great tree. As soon as she struck it, it split in half and toppled over. As it fell, a hole opened in Sky Land, and the tree fell through the hole. Aataentsic returned to the place where the old chief waited.

“The Sky Tree” Cont. “My husband,” she said, “when I cut the tree, it split in half and then fell through a great hole. Without the tree, there can be no life. I must follow it.” Then, leaving her husband, she went back to the hole in Sky Land and threw herself after the great tree. As Aataentsic fell, Turtle looked up and saw her. Immediately Turtle called together all the water animals and told them what she had seen. “What should be done?” Turtle said. Beaver answered her. “You are the one who saw this happen. Tell us what to do.” “All of you must dive down,” Turtle said. “Bring up soil from the bottom, and place it on my back.” Immediately all of the water animals began to dive down and bring up soil. Beaver, Mink, Muskrat, and Otter each brought up pawfuls of wet soil and placed the soil on Turtle’s back until they had made an island of great size. When they were through, Aataentsic settled down gently on the new Earth, and the pieces of the great tree fell beside her and took root.

A story should have the following qualities in order to be categorized as a myth: A story should have the following qualities in order to be categorized as a myth: Instill a sense of awe toward the mystery of the universe Instill a sense of awe toward the mystery of the universe Explain the workings of the natural world Explain the workings of the natural world Support and validate social customs Support and validate social customs Guide people through the trials of living Guide people through the trials of living Content Knowledge: Myth

The Arrowmaker 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 making arrows. There was a small 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: “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 for him to do, he drew it to the bow and took aim, first in this direction and then in that.

The Arrowmaker (cont) 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. If you 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 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.

Question #1 1) What is your interpretation of this story? What does it tell us about language?

Question #2 2) Why is the Arrowmaker successful in defeating his enemy?

Question #3 3) What point does this story make about strength vs. wit?

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

Kiowa Origin Myth Questions 1) Many societies have creation myths that are centered around a body of water. Why? What can you infer about the Kiowa’s location based on their myth? 2) There is a very important difference between the Kiowa origin story and that found in most other cultures. What is it?