1. Native American Culture in Early American History

2. Overview O When the first settlers came to America, they did not at first realize that Native Americans had cultural values and a literary tradition of their own. O The literature was entirely oral due to a lack of any written system. O This oral tradition forms the basis of the first American literary heritage.

3. Historical Background O The Americas were already populated by several hundred Native American tribes when Columbus “discovered” America in 1492. O The tribes differed greatly from each other in language, government, social organization, customs, housing, and methods of survival. O The Native Americans usually greeted the earliest European settlers as friends, including introducing the settlers to woodwork and agriculture. O Manifest destiny changed the nature of the relationship between settlers and Native Americans.

4. Native American Literary Tradition O For a long time the literature was viewed as folklore without any literary merit. O The oral literature included (among others) song lyrics, hero tales, migration legends, and creation accounts which changed over time. O Oratory skills were much prized among Native Americans.

5. Characteristics of Oral Literature O Oral stories were chanted, spoken, sung, and repeated over and over until embedded into the memories of the next generations. O Celebrate the wonders of the natural world O Celebrate the interconnectedness of the natural and spiritual world O Sought to explain natural occurrences

6. Characteristics of Oral Literature cont. O Consists of four parts forming a cycle: begins with a harmonious situation (everything is okay); something disrupts the harmony (problem); attempt to fix the disharmony (fixing the problem);harmony is restored O Designed to teach a lesson O Animals and humans were often interchangeable in many stories

7. Characteristics of Oral Literature cont. O Contained the idea that life is not a progressive straight line, but an endless circle O This cycle is reflected strongly in nature (changing seasons, cycles of birth, death and rebirth) and in ceremonies performed year after year.