1. “Prayer Spoken While Presenting an Infant to the Sun”
Emma Birky, Kaity Gaskill, Joselyn Simms

2. Background - Zuni New Mexico
Discovered and named by Fray Marcos de Miza
Pueblo Indians
Were influenced by Catholic missionaries

3. Background Cont’d Cycle of religious ceremonies
Earth Mother, Sun Father, and Moonlight-Giving Mother
Sun is seen as giver of life
Friendly towards Americans, jealous of Mexicans, hate Navajo - “bitter enemies”

4. Background Cont’d Spoke Zuni, but no written literature
Passed on traditions through tales, myths and legends
Culture dependant upon oral literature
Much of culture is lost because stories have been forgotten
What oral stories were you told as a child?

5. “Prayer Spoken While Presenting an Infant to the Sun”
Reflection of times: Pre-Civil War – Civil War = many Indian tribes being forced out of land, onto reservations
This caused death of Indian cultures
Important: Shows that culture is dying because it is one of the few stories the Zuni have left

6. “Prayer Spoken While Presenting an Infant to the Sun”
Meaning of title
Prayer
Eight days after birth, presented infant to Sun Father

7. “Prayer Spoken While Presenting an Infant to the Sun”
Symbol: passing of life from one generation to the next. Where is evidence of this?
Last stanza: What happens when “your road is fulfilled”?
What modern traditions reflect the Zuni culture?