Coyote: Mythological Teacher (Verbal passing of knowledge & its differences from the passing of written knowledge).

Coyote: Understanding the Trickster Coyote is one of the most important characters in most California Indian Mythology.Coyote is one of the most important characters in most California Indian Mythology. He is a multifaceted character, whose facets, when first considered, appear to contradict each other.He is a multifaceted character, whose facets, when first considered, appear to contradict each other.

Coyote is best known to be both a creator and destroyer.Coyote is best known to be both a creator and destroyer. Or a wise buffoon.Or a wise buffoon. Coyote, as a trickster, has many of the common traits for other Native American tricksters such as Raven in the Pacific Northwest, and Lakota of the Inktomi ( a spider).Coyote, as a trickster, has many of the common traits for other Native American tricksters such as Raven in the Pacific Northwest, and Lakota of the Inktomi ( a spider). Tricksters are: tricky, cleaver, amoral, lustful, taboo-breaking, deceitful, and most importantly undaunted by failure and through this amusing and educational.Tricksters are: tricky, cleaver, amoral, lustful, taboo-breaking, deceitful, and most importantly undaunted by failure and through this amusing and educational.

Coyote is symbolic in the sense that the character is not really a coyote.Coyote is symbolic in the sense that the character is not really a coyote. Like other characters in Native American mythology, he is suppose to be one of the First People, a mythic race which populated the earth before human beings did.Like other characters in Native American mythology, he is suppose to be one of the First People, a mythic race which populated the earth before human beings did. This mythic race is responsible for the creation of the world we know today.This mythic race is responsible for the creation of the world we know today. The First People had immense power to call into existence basically anything and everything, but since they were people, they are also capable of failings, and had similar characteristics in personality to us.The First People had immense power to call into existence basically anything and everything, but since they were people, they are also capable of failings, and had similar characteristics in personality to us.

Coyote is accredited with many of the failings in the creation of our world. Failings in the sense that they are not perfect in nature.Coyote is accredited with many of the failings in the creation of our world. Failings in the sense that they are not perfect in nature. For example the Paiute say human beings (which are imperfect) are more along the lines of Coyote.For example the Paiute say human beings (which are imperfect) are more along the lines of Coyote. Often in stories of Coyote, he is in the process of tricking someone or taking advantage of them, when suddenly he is tricked himself, or finds misfortune some way.Often in stories of Coyote, he is in the process of tricking someone or taking advantage of them, when suddenly he is tricked himself, or finds misfortune some way.

Due to Coyote’s resilience and foolishness he severs two purposes in his myths.Due to Coyote’s resilience and foolishness he severs two purposes in his myths. One is the purpose of teacher.One is the purpose of teacher. People are meant to learn through Coyote’s mistakes. Coyote is resilient and capable of making many mistakes without being destroyed.People are meant to learn through Coyote’s mistakes. Coyote is resilient and capable of making many mistakes without being destroyed. For example, often Coyote will commit an act which is some form of heinous taboo, like having intercourse with his sister or mother-in- law, and then be castrated or hurt in some way. Yet, he always bounces back to make more mistakes and get castrated again.For example, often Coyote will commit an act which is some form of heinous taboo, like having intercourse with his sister or mother-in- law, and then be castrated or hurt in some way. Yet, he always bounces back to make more mistakes and get castrated again.

Also due to Coyote’s resilience he is quite entertaining. His stories are loved by many, because people like to see him fail and come to justice for his wrong doings.Also due to Coyote’s resilience he is quite entertaining. His stories are loved by many, because people like to see him fail and come to justice for his wrong doings. Similar to the ever entertaining Wile E. Coyote, and Road Runner cartoons, his resilience and nearly never- ending willingness to fail is hilarious.Similar to the ever entertaining Wile E. Coyote, and Road Runner cartoons, his resilience and nearly never- ending willingness to fail is hilarious. The “paradox” of Coyote does not seem so complicated. His goal is to make mischief and be tricky, and if in accomplishing his goals he accidentally creates something or other that may be beneficial to human beings, then so be it.The “paradox” of Coyote does not seem so complicated. His goal is to make mischief and be tricky, and if in accomplishing his goals he accidentally creates something or other that may be beneficial to human beings, then so be it.

Just don’t expect Coyote to create for the sake of creating or out of good nature.Just don’t expect Coyote to create for the sake of creating or out of good nature.

Verbal vs. Written Knowledge Verbal knowledge is know to be inconsistent and varying based on who is relating the knowledge.Verbal knowledge is know to be inconsistent and varying based on who is relating the knowledge. To an extent this is true. For example the Myth I have prepared is one which when told by Sam Batwi and Ishi. (Characters of the book Ishi)To an extent this is true. For example the Myth I have prepared is one which when told by Sam Batwi and Ishi. (Characters of the book Ishi) The myth changes based on who is telling it.The myth changes based on who is telling it.

For example in Ishi’s version of the story, Coyote’s sister does not see Coyote return to their house after he deceives her into having intercourse with him, and thus she does not realize that Coyote has done this to her until her children are born coyotes.For example in Ishi’s version of the story, Coyote’s sister does not see Coyote return to their house after he deceives her into having intercourse with him, and thus she does not realize that Coyote has done this to her until her children are born coyotes. In Sam’s version she sees him and knows what he has done so instantly gets mad at him, and you can see where things go from there.In Sam’s version she sees him and knows what he has done so instantly gets mad at him, and you can see where things go from there. The character of these two story tellers slightly modifies their content.The character of these two story tellers slightly modifies their content.

The question is, does this make the knowledge less reliable?The question is, does this make the knowledge less reliable? Many historians and individuals studying mythology do not see this to be the case.Many historians and individuals studying mythology do not see this to be the case. In fact, many believe that since the stories tend to change with time, and with who is telling them, they become more relevant to the time period and situation in which they are told.In fact, many believe that since the stories tend to change with time, and with who is telling them, they become more relevant to the time period and situation in which they are told. Now I will perform “Coyote and his Sister”Now I will perform “Coyote and his Sister”

References htmlhttp:// htmlhttp:// htmlhttp:// html Kroeber, Theodora. Ishi in Two Worlds: A Biography (c1961, 2002)Kroeber, Theodora. Ishi in Two Worlds: A Biography (c1961, 2002) “Oral Report on Tricksters” by Garrett (provided by Prof. Thorne)“Oral Report on Tricksters” by Garrett (provided by Prof. Thorne) Assorted resources provide by Prof. ThorneAssorted resources provide by Prof. Thorne