Product Description
Culled from nineteenth- and twentieth-century accounts of native American life, customs, and folklore, this collection of stories, written by a New Mexican artist who lived among the Pueblo Indians, was first published in 1929. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
For this collection of folk tales Rosalind Kerven has chosen traditional stories from twelve different North American Indian peoples. She has grouped her selection of stories around the recurrent themes of the sun, moon and stars; fantastical journeys; and two popular cultural heroes, Spider Woman, a benevolent sorceress, and Coyote the trickster. Her retellings beautifully convey the mystical atmosphere of the original stories and bring out the Native American's affinity with and respect for the natural world. A factual introduction explains the traditional role of story telling and gives background to past and present North American culture. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Studies in the Humanities, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2006. The length of the article is 2752 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: After white raven.
Author: Frederick White
Publication: Studies in the Humanities (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 33Issue: 2Page: 276(7)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description

SAYINGS OF TIME-HONORED TRUTH AND CONTEMPORARY WISDOM FROM THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES

Why will you take by force what you may obtain by love?

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.

He who serves his fellows is the greatest of all.

If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can be as gentle as a dove.

The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.

A sin against a neighbor is an offense against the Great Spirit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent book for all
The Soul would have No Rainbow if the eyes had No Tears is truly an inspirational book!
Quick to read Native American Indian Proverbs that are accurate.
Excellent book for all ages with meaning!!!

Compact Bits of Wisdom ...
The beautiful thing about this book (other than the title), is each little proverb is very short and easy to read. Each message is simply stated and followed by the name of the Native American nation it came from. I found it to be warm, visual and thought provoking in its emphasis of high values, spirituality and natural connections. This is a true gem that should be shared with all family members and friends.

Soul Would Have No Rainbow if the Eyes Had No Tears
Wonderful for Calligraphers because the sentences are short ones.Great inspirational quotes to pen!

A thoughtful collection of Native American proverbs
A thoughtful collection of Native American proverbs that gives pause to consider the meanings of life and important values.We can learn much from these old proverbs.It is interesting how some of themhave similarcounterparts in other cultures and ethnic groups, including the whiteman's!For example, "It takes a whole village to raise a child."Where have we heard this recently?Where did it actually originate?Whoknows, but there is a similar Native American proverb in this interestingbook. Each has the tribe of origin listed below it.A wonderfulspringboard for discussion and thought, and basis for research on theInternet on Native Americans. Use selected proverbs in my teaching.

Food for the mind.
This book contains the wisdom of many Native American tribes. Through these reading we find meaning to some of lifes mysteries. ... Read more

Product Description
Translations of creation myths for the Onondaga, Seneca and Mohawk tribes, which are three of the five original tribes of the Iroquois.The Iroquois (now consisting of six tribes) lived in the northeastern United States during the time of first contact with European settlers.

The Iroquois were a farming-based society that gave roughly equal power to men and women. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Awesome
The Iroquois Natives were amazing.I recently did a paper on their building techniques for a graduate school class, so when I was researching their culture I stumbled upon this book.

Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Autobiography intersects history.As the 1970s begin, aninterracial family discovers a liberating philosophy in the harmoniousspirituality of Hopi, Havasupai, and other traditional peoples.Butas author and wife and kids reject modern society to explore such agentle, natural life, they must confront Indian ghosts across theland. ... Read more

Product Description
Erleben Sie die schönsten Märchen und Sagen aus aller Welt in dieser einzigartigen Serie "Märchen der Welt". Von den Ländern Europas über die Kontinente bis zu vergangenen Kulturen und noch heute existierenden Völkern: "Märchen der Welt"
bietet Ihnen stundenlagen Abwechslung und immer neuen Lesestoff.

Ein Auszug aus dem Inhaltsverzeichnis dieses Buches:


1 Das weiße Steinkanu
2 Onawutakuto
3 Schinschibiss
4 Unätsi
5 Die Osagen
6 Von dem Knaben, der die Sonne in einer Schlinge fing
7 Omakaki Ikwe
8 Boschkwädosch
9 Miskwandib
10 Wäwäbisowin1
11 Matschi Manitu
12 Der kleine Geist
13 Ängodon und Näwadaha
14 Muwis
15 Das Nordlicht
16 Memoiren der Tschigeunegon-Prophetin Odschi Wein Akwot Okwä
17 Der Magier vom Huronsee
18 Kosmogonische Traditionen der Wyandot-Indianer
19 Kosmogonie der Algonkins
20 Eine »medizinene« Insel
21 Wie der Ontonagon-Fluß seinen Namen bekam
22 Ein Großschnabel
23 Der Rabe und der Specht
24 Der Häuptling Eschkwägonäbei
25 Eine Geschichte, die mit einer Moral endet
26 Nebäkwäms Traum
27 Ein teuflischer Tanzmeister
28 Die Geschichte des Rotfuchses
29 Schischib
30 Tschibi
31 Pakwadschininis
32 Bibon und Sigwan
33 Akukodschisch
34 Opitschi
35 Die himmlischen Geschwister
36 Odschig Annang
37 Schihm
38 Mitscha-Makwe
39 Der rote Schwan
40 Tauwautschiheskwä
41 Jena der Wanderer
42 Mischoscha
43 Die sechs Falken
44 Wing
45 Boquena
46 Aggodägadä
47 Lilina
48 Onwi Bämondang
49 Iskodä
50 Heno der Donnerer
51 Rede eines Seneca-Medizinmanns an den Großen Geist beim Opfern des weißen Hundes
52 Der Seneca-Riese
53 Eine Schöpfungsgeschichte
54 Wie der Piqua-Stamm entstand
55 Die Schawanos
56 Die Sintflut und die Erschaffung der Menschen
57 Wie Nantucket bevölkert wurde
58 Wie es gekommen ist, daß ein Indianerstamm in Oregon kein Bärenfleisch ißt
59 Eine Versteinerungsfigur
60 Das heilige Feuer der Natchez
61 Der Ewige Jude und die Seeflinte
62 Die Teilung der Welt
63 Mitschabu
64 Das böse Gewissen
65 Kosmogonie der Creeks und der Muskogees
66 Die Geschichte der Odjibwas
67 Die Auswanderung der Chickasaws
68 Menabuscho
69 Kosmogonie der Potawatomis
70 Der Untergang des Mundua-Stammes
71 Eine Kriegsgeschichte
72 Bei den Blaßgesichtern
73 Sayadio
74 Kosmogonie der Navajos
75 Die Kojoten
76 Kosmogonie der Winnebagos
77 Eine andere Schöpfungsgeschichte der Winnebagos
78 Wie Mais, Bohnen usw. entstanden sind
79 Die fünf Nationen
80 Kosmogonie der Miamis
81 Sonne und Mond
82 Ansichten eines Tuscarora-Indianers über die Erschaffung der Welt
83 Die Strafe Gottes
84 Die Geschichte eines Riesen
85 Von einer zweiköpfigen Schlange
86 Ein Tier des Unglücks
87 Wie einer ein berühmter Doktor wurde

... Read more

Product Description
Pia Toya, or big mountain, is a Goshute legend thatdescribes how the hawk Kinniih-Pia punished the coyote Isapai-ppeh forhis trickery, and in the process created the Deep Creek Range.TheDeep Creeks are among the most rugged of Utah's many mountain rangesand include Ibapah Peak, with an elevation of 12,089 feet.Located inUtah's west desert near the state border with Nevada, the Deep Creeksare still isolated and little known.Yet they are part of thetraditional homelands of the Goshute Indians, whose reservation andtribal headquarters nestle in Ibapah Valley at the foot of therange. The children of Ibapah Elementary School have chosen thisillustrated retelling of Pia Toya as a way to honor their heritage.Their luminous paintings, drawings, collages, and border art bringcolor, light, and life to a traditional creation myth.Theircommitment to their culture moved Utah Governor Michael Leavitt todeclare November as American Indian History Month and November 22 asIndigenous People's Day in Utah.Included in Pia Toya is a culturalinformation section about the Goshute Indians, their history, andtheir lifeways.This beautiful book will be read and enjoyed often,treasured both by children and adults who wish to deepen theirunderstanding and appreciation of a rich indigenous culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This book is great for fouth grade
I did a report about Goshut people and I learned a lot from this book. I use three places and this book had the best info. I'm glad my school libary has it. It was hard to type a half a page with out this book. I love it but you might think it's boring but it is not. Have fun reading this book and I hope this review helped.

Wonderful Native American Legend from the Goshute Children
This is a charming book.Amazingly, the children of the Goshute Indian Reservation have produced this book, complete with the native legend and their own artwork.In an age of super media over-production and superficial holiday glitz and consumption, this book is a welcome change.But it is professionally produced by a university press.How often do kids get published by university presses?

The elementary school children have created beautiful images along with the story.Each page has a differnt look to it, representing that child's contribution.

If you like native american legends, in the tradition of the old coyote, etc., then you will like this book.The story is beautiful and warm.The fact that it comes from the next (young) generation of Goshutes, and represents their desire to reach out to our busy world, is what makes it unique and wonderful.

Enjoy!

Pia Toya:A Goshute Legend
Every child will want to experience the creation story of the Goshute Mountains time and again, and every adult will want to display the simple, yet elegant water colors associated with this story.The story is made more powerful with a description of the small community defining the Goshute Tribe of today and their dedication to natural resources.Readers will find this book to be delightful in presentation, storyline, and purpose. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
The Osage traditions and world-views were handed down verbally through the generations in a series of beautiful poems. ... Read more

Product Description
The legends, mythology and history of the Kiowa Indians!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

The Way to Rainy Mountain
Good book and in good condition. Shipping didn't take long at all got it about 3 of 4 days after i ordered it.

Way to Rainy Mountain
Requirement for World Culture Through Literature, this short story was a good eye opener for native american story and art. The details were very fresh and the art was simple yet amazing in its simplicity

I'd buy it from these guys again
Exactly how they say it will be. Very fast in delivery and honest with price.

OKAY
Store was sold out - book was easy to order, reasonble in price and came quickly!

Perfect
This book arrived quickly, well before the final possible arrival date. It is also in great condition. Looks brand new. ... Read more

Product Description
Gathering 160 tales from 80 tribal groups to offer a rich and lively panarama of the Native American mythic heritage. 100 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

american indian myths and legends
ive read most of it and have bought it for a friend ..ive read it over the phone to a friend as well and would buy another for yet another friend its that good :)
i love the story about the hairy little man:)
i have been trying to collect as many of the old stories as i could and this ones always coming to my hand when i need to read to someone a child or a adult its very good:)

Interesting collection, somewhat disconnected
This presents a wide range of collections including those of the creation of heros (prototypes for initiation?), creation myths, heroic stories, and the like.The collection is fairly wide-ranging and includes a lot of material.Most of the stories are short ones (no epics) but it's a good overview of many of the dimensions of Native American myths and legends.

The major problem here is that the book lumps all Native American groups together as if they are the same.This leads to a lack of continuity between the stories and a bit of a cultural disconnect.For that I'm removing one star.

All in all, though, I learned a lot from this book and found it quite interesting and useful.

Indian Myths
Thanx for the book.I only wish Seminole myths were in it.;)

wow
This is exactly what I was looking for!
The Indians legends and myths about nearly everything.
Maybe you have read the books of Carlos Castaneda and wanted to know more about the world of Indians? Maybe you are just wondering what is behind the white peoples world? Or maybe you just enjoy reading good stories for yourselves and for your children.

It would be wise for us to start reading a stories for our children again, instead of putting them before TV. This is kind of strong base for their mental structure- to face the everyday lifes stress and routine.

For all reasons this is a good choice.

I read al lot, maybe 60-80 books a year, but this book I will remember.
Enjoyable reading to you!

authentic but inconsistent
this collection is, for the most part, written directly from recordings of tribe members retelling the stories. there is a nice sense of authenticity in the collection, but many of the stories really seem to be collected for the sake of collecting the stories... in other words, there is a definite inconsistency throughout this book.

it can be tedious to get through some parts, because the legends occasionally seem to go nowhere. it seems that many of these myths are explanations of how something came in to being, rather than a moralistic message, and in this sense it is valuable in presenting insight into the worlview of the cultures represented. nevertheless, as a reader it is enjoyable to feel that a story is leading up to something, which is not always the case here.

i was surprised by the politically incorrect title (First Nations is the preferred term nowadays- "Indians" is considered offensive), but the book was published in 1984 so this makes sense- perhaps a reprint will have a different title. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Introduction to Turtle Island's Myths
This book is a wonderful introduction to the general mythologies of North America. After explaining the importance of Native American myths, Leeming and Page give a wonderful introduction to Native American culture, pointing out shared traits and beliefs (such as the earth-diver creation story) that can be found from Siberia and northern Eurasia to North America down through Central and South America. They then examine the different culture areas (the Arctic, Subarctic, Northwest Woodlands, Southeast Woodlands, Great Plains, Northwest Coast, California and the Great Basin and the Southwest), looking at major themes, language groupings and Nations in each region. More than anything else this shows both the unity of the First Nations, and the diversity as even close neighbors differed signifcantly in culture at times.

The first chapter looks at Native American pantheons, showing universal archetypes such as the world creator, the mother figure and the supreme god. Each one gives a few Native American myths to support it, ranging from traditional Native American myths (both told by Native peoples and recorded by anthropologists) to Oglala holy man Black Elk to James Mooney's massive Myths of the Cherokees, and covering a wide variety of Nations and regions. It then goes on to look at other figures central to Native culture, such as the Trickster (coyote, raven, Manabozho, Glooskap, etc), the Dying God and a wide variety of other kachinas, manitous and spirits. Again a wide variety of Nations are examined, including Sioux, Cherokee, Penobscott, Maidu, Luiseños, Ojibway, Apache and many others besides.

The next chapter takes an in depth look at Native American cosmology, starting with the creation. Several versions of the earth diver creation myth, dominant in both North America and Siberia, is contrasted with the emergence myth of the Hopi, Diné (Navajo), Apache and other Nations of the Southwest. A handful of other creation myths are given, including those of Nations such as the Yokuts, Chuckchi (actually Siberian, but included to show the shared cultures of North America and Siberia) and Blackfoot who believe that an omnipotent Creator made the world. Beyond that are a handful of tales describing the universal flood myth, the afterlife and ultimately the end of the world, bringing the cycle of life full circle and illustrating the cyclical nature of many Native culture's world views.

Finally, the book closes out with looking at hero figures; culture heroes, monster slayers, hero twins (a major theme throughout the Americas really) and so forth. Included here are such legendary hero figures as the Diné (Navajo) hero twins, Glooskap (Algonquian), Sweet Medicine (Cheyenne) and Blot Clot (Blackfoot), amongst others. Really this book is a wonderful introduction to Native American beliefs and stories. As I said before, a wide range of Nations is covered, including the Pueblos, Pawnee, Pomo, Tohono O'odham, Kiowa, Yuchi, Caddo, Arikara and even Métis. Since it covers so many regions and major themes, it is an excellent introduction to a pan-North American mythology. I really suggest that anyone interested in Native American (or world) mythology.

Probably a good introduction to native myths.
Native American myths are always primitive, raw, peculiar, and sometimes entertaining, but might not be for everyone.This particular book is not daunting, at about 200 pages, with most of the myths being relatively short.What the authors have tried to do is present the myths in a general, more literary approach, and with some reference to similarities with other mythic traditions.Starting with the native "pantheons", then to their conception of the cosmos (creation, flood, afterlife, end of world), then to hero myths.Of these the last section was the most entertaining, the other myths end up being etiological and rather simple.If you are interested in the mysths in their more original forms there is "American Indian Myths and Legends".This book is more like a primer, but is at least a good overall introduction to what is really a vast mythological tradition. ... Read more

Product Description
Franz Boas (1858 - 1942), geographer, linguist, physical anthropologist and ethnologist, is considered the father of modern North American anthropology. The 1895 German publication of Indianische Sagen von der Nord-Pacifischen Küste Amerikas gathered together in a single volume his earliest research in British Columbia, consisting of 250 B.C. First Nations myths and legends which had been previously serialized in German periodicals between 1891 and 1895.

In 1973, the B.C. Indian Language Project first commissioned this peer-reviewed translation from Dietrich Bertz of Victoria, who completed his revised draft in 1977, incorporating the 1976 introduction by Professor Claude Lévi-Strauss. Then began the Project's immense task of researching, footnoting and annotating the text, which was to continue intermittently for over twenty years.

In a moving introduction to this translation of the Sagen, Claude Lévi-Strauss&emdash;widely recognized as one of the world's foremost anthropologists&emdash;describes it as "one of the richest collections of mythological texts available for the whole of the North American continent."

While the B.C. Indian Language Project has made its English translation of the Sagen privately available to researchers since the 1970s, the publication of the fully annotated translation of these texts is long overdue. One of the manuscript's assessors has called its publication in English "almost equivalent to the discovery of a group of 150-year-olds from these Native groups, all in full possession of their faculties and anxious to share their knowledge with anthropologists."

This volume of First Nations myths and legends is an extraordinarily important document in the history of North American anthropology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Indian Myths & Legends from the North Pacific Coast of America
Indian Myths & Legends from the North Pacific Coast of America is the English translation of Franz Boas' Indianische Sagen von der Nord-Pacifischen Küste Amerikas. This book details various myths and legends recorded by the Father of North American Anthropology during his field investigations of twenty-six native groups along the Northwest Coast. Dietrich Bertz painstakingly translated Boas' original text and field notes. Bouchard and Kennedy then compiled these translations, conferred with native storytellers and academic researchers, and then attempted to replicate these original myths and legends.

Countless footnotes riddle the book explaining the sources, potential variations, and limitations of these various accounts. The editors have also added a lengthy section about Boas and his theoretical background to instruct the reader on the Boasian theory and methods and give the reader background on where and when he conducted his field investigations. Moreover, this section aims to prevent criticism about the incomplete stories. This attempt is significant as Boas' work shows an obvious bias towards using myths and legends as a way of discovering cultural affinity and diffusion. In this way, the reader will soon find a number of the accounts only contain a paragraph or two stating that the story is the same as previous except for a few omissions or additions. These revisions are then listed or the differing portion of the story related. For researchers looking for precise details, a smooth read, or culture-specific symbolic ideology, this aspect of Boas' original work may be extremely bothersome.

This book also contains a summary of Boas' findings. This section is a comparison of various individual events found within common myths and legends. Boas used the frequency of these common components to establish cultural links. Nonetheless, the comparison of these variations might be useful as a starting point for a Lévi-Straussian analysis of myth and legend variations. Furthermore, this section acts as a summary for an extensive and somewhat overwhelming amount of material.

The majority of this book, however, is composed of myths and legends from the twenty-six native groups that Boas studied. The number of myths and legend in each section varies substantially. For instance, there is only one Klahoose legend, while twenty-five stories of the Bella Coola are recorded. This is a reflection of knowledgeable native storytellers willing to share their traditions within the confines of Boas' hectic fieldwork schedule.

Each of these sections contains an introduction that outlines when and where Boas completed his field studies as well as any comments he recorded about his informants. This orients the reader any to potential bias due to lack of time and the qualifications of the native storytellers. Moreover, black and white photographs taken by Boas accompany each introduction. These regularly depict native informants, their villages, and local activities. These activities include not only daily activities useful as potential clues in site and activity area reconstruction but also rarely recorded special events such as the potlatch ceremony.

Many of the sections contain myths and legends common to the Pacific Northwest. The most common reoccurring themes surround Raven and Mink. Other common stories include tales about illegitimate and rejected children becoming rich and powerful as well as cautionary tales about sexually active girls.

Despite Boas' research bias towards shared themes, he did an exemplary job in recording such a wide variety. Many of these are origin myths and legends explaining nature and the universe. Others relate the history of the group and the invention of technology such as the salmon weir. Still others valiantly illustrate cultural mores, taboos, and gender roles.

Thus, despite some acknowledged research bias, this book is a wealth of knowledge. Many of these myths and legends are the only surviving remnants of otherwise lost traditions. Furthermore, this compilation is the most complete collection from the Pacific Northwest created to date. These aspects make this book invaluable to the avid myth and legend collector or scholar. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Salish Myth & Legends
This was written by my cousin, a linguist.It was hard reading for me, and some I did not understand.What I did understad was enjoyable. I intend to study it further, as I took notes, to ask Terry. ... Read more

Product Description
Author Mary L. Beck recounts nine traditional Native American legends from the Northwest Coast. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Brilliant Tales Told Beautifully
What an amazing book! I picked this up while traveling around Alaska, and I found it compelling enough to develop a class on mythology for the coming semester, using this book as one of the texts. The stories are entertaining and meaningful, and extremely readable. I know that my students are going to learn a great deal, but they will also enjoy every minute of it, for the storytelling within this text is truly beautiful. I wish I could find more books like it!

The illustrations are also beautiful. The book is one of the best folklore explorations I have read in years.

forget philosophy
people should be reading this stuff, not the same old boring Plato/Homer stuff. This is the interesting stuff, the trickster who gets tricked and then tricks others. It's so valuable. And beautiful. And underrated.

A wonderful selection of tales from Tlingit-Haida culture.
Having grown up in Alaska, I've had much exposure to Native Alaskan culture and have always loved reading or hearing their folklore. This particular book is a great collection of Tlingit-Haida legends, each of which is a sort of "how things came to be this way" story. They explain why a certain clan took a particular crest, or how a legendary hero came to fame, etc. What I found especially interesting is the comparison with folklore from other cultures. Each story is accompanied by a short introduction in which the author shows us the parallels between these tales and similar ones in Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology. The stories are set down in clear, simple language, but are still vivid and engrossing. My one criticism of the book would be that it's too short. There are only nine legends included, and this makes for only a small sampling of Tlingit-Haida lore. I would have loved to see more. However, I will not knock any point off my rating for this. The fact that I wish it had gone on longer only attests to its overall quality. This is a terrific book, easy to read, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in native folklore.

Can't Say enough about this book
Just like Beck's "Shamans & Kushtakas" this book is a great reference on Tlingit & Haida mythology.She does an excellent job in both books passing on the legends of old into the 21st century.I am aHaida indian and I think she did a wonderful job ... Read more

Product Description
Every culture and every nation has legends. Early cultures used them to explain the things in life they could not understand -- why the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, why the moon has phases, or why some years are better than others. The Indians of North America were no different. This book tells the Indian legends behind many of nature's wonders. Among the 23 tales told, you will discover how rivers were formed, how the raven freed the people and why rabbits hop -- at least according to legend. This book is for an audience of all ages, but is written in simple yet informative text that will be especially enjoyed by children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Twenty-three diverse folklore stories
Easy and very highly recommended reading, Totem Tales: Legends From The Rainforest is a slender, 79-page compendium of Native American legends compiled by Ted Meyers. These twenty-three diverse folklore stories reveal how the rivers were formed, how Raven freed the people, why there are so many mosquitos, why rabbits hop, and more. Of particular interest to students of Native American culture, these are "legend tales" that will entertain readers of all ages and backgrounds.
... Read more