1. The First American Literature
THE NATIVE AMERICANS
The First American Literature

2. ORAL TRADITION
Passed down from generation to generation through storytelling and performances.
Characteristics of N.A. oral tradition:
Always a performance, so always changing
Always a lesson to be learned
Intended to communicate culture and reinforce identity
Purpose is to explain origins and establish codes of behavior

3. Each tribe had its own language, but different tribes could communicate through sign language.

4. In oral tradition, oratorical skills are valued and good speakers are valuable members of the community.

5. TYPES OF N.A. LITERATURE
Creation myth: explains how the universe, earth, and life began
Trickster tale: shows how the world and its creatures were transformed to the present state
Ritual songs: part of ceremonies

6. TRICKSTER TALES
Usually feature an animal or human character that engages in deceit, violence, or magic
Forces the community to look at mistakes
Most common tricksters are coyotes, crows, foxes
Form of entertainment
Coyote

7. NATIVE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY
Most important part of N.A. culture was living in harmony with nature and this is reflected in their literature.

8. HARMONY WITH NATURE MEANS:
Human beings have a kinship with ALL parts of nature (animals, plants, the land, etc.)
ALL parts of nature are seen as alive and aware
The human and the nonhuman are part of a sacred whole
Human beings DO NOT have dominion (power, control, dominance) over nature
Humans must maintain a right relationship with the world around them.

9. Native Americans and Buffalo

10. Contrast to White Attitude
WHITE MEN AND THE BUFFALO
In the early 1800s-60 million buffalo on the western plains
By the late 1800s – near extinction.
White hunters killed them for their hides, tongues, for sport, and to destroy N.A. food supply; left the meat to rot

11. OTHER N.A. PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS
Native Americans were NOT materialistic
Survival is cooperative
Means of survival are shared with the community, so no one could be hungry if there was food available in the tribe
Something has value when it is given away
Everyone plays a vital role in the tribe’s survival
No differentiation between genders as far as value of their work
Everyone is accountable to the group for his/her actions
Punishment – told once/next time dead in the eyes of the people

12. BALANCE Important philosophical belief
Embraces the contradictory aspects of life (always two parts to everything)
Creation myths show both positive and negative aspects of the world (food crops and poisonous plants; predators and prey)
Both sides seen as necessary

13. NATIVE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Leadership allows for all voices
No individual is greater than the whole
Government is about responsibility, NOT power
Each tribal group has own leader
Leads to misunderstanding with Europeans who have one leader (king, president, etc.)
For a treaty to be valid, ALL tribal leaders would have to sign

14. IMPORTANT N.A. SYMBOLS
THE CIRCLE-NO BEGINNING, NO END. It’s sacred as long as it’s unbroken.
The Number 4
Fire-Air-Water-Earth
North-South-East-West
Spring-Summer-Fall-Winter
Childhood-Youth-Maturity-Old Age