Origin MythsOrigin Myths

The first people…The first people…Native Americans immigrated over the Native Americans immigrated over the

land bridge from Asia in 35,000 BCland bridge from Asia in 35,000 BC

Native Native American American Literature:Literature:Creation Creation

MythsMyths

Myth Myth

A traditional story, passed down through A traditional story, passed down through generations, that explains why the generations, that explains why the

world is the way it is. world is the way it is. Events usually result from the actions of Events usually result from the actions of

supernatural beings. supernatural beings.

MythsMythsContain supernatural elements Contain supernatural elements Often explain the unexplainable Often explain the unexplainable Have also been told in order to teach a Have also been told in order to teach a

moral lesson. moral lesson. All cultures have myths, though often do All cultures have myths, though often do

not see their stories myth but as fact.not see their stories myth but as fact.

Oral traditionOral tradition Native American Native American myths originated myths originated as as oral traditionoral tradition: : stories passed stories passed down verballydown verbally

Oral Tradition. . .Oral Tradition. . .Native American creation myths were not Native American creation myths were not

written down until just a few hundred years written down until just a few hundred years ago.ago.

It was passed down It was passed down by storytelling and by storytelling and performances.performances. Examples:Examples: lullabies, bedtimelullabies, bedtime stories.stories.

Four functions of Four functions of myth:myth:

1. 1. To awaken us to To awaken us to the mystery and the mystery and wonder of creationwonder of creation

2. 2. To explain the To explain the workings of the workings of the natural worldnatural world: every : every corner, every rock, hill, corner, every rock, hill, stone, and flower has stone, and flower has its place and its its place and its meaning.meaning.

3. 3. To pass down the moral To pass down the moral and ethical codesand ethical codes that that support and validate social support and validate social customs.customs.

4. 4. To teachTo teach:: to guide the people through to guide the people through

the trials of livingthe trials of living

Creation mythsCreation myths

Explain how the universe, the Explain how the universe, the earth, and life on earth began.earth, and life on earth began.

Essentials of Creation Essentials of Creation MythsMyths

1.1. To instill aweTo instill awe

2.2. Explain the workings of the natural worldExplain the workings of the natural world

3. 3. To support customsTo support customs

4. Guide people through the trials of living4. Guide people through the trials of living

Creation Myths…

Trickster TalesTrickster Tales

Trickster- some one is creative curious and often Trickster- some one is creative curious and often gets into trouble. Will sometimes find wisdom gets into trouble. Will sometimes find wisdom through their curiosity.through their curiosity.

More About Native American More About Native American LiteratureLiterature

Oral TraditionsOral Traditions Integration of the natural world with the human Integration of the natural world with the human

worldworld No separation of spiritual and physicalNo separation of spiritual and physical Importance of ancestorsImportance of ancestors Trixter figure – often a coyoteTrixter figure – often a coyote Rich literary tradition – developed mythologyRich literary tradition – developed mythology Extremely diverseExtremely diverse

Native American LiteratureNative American Literature

The Lesson of the BirdsThe Lesson of the BirdsThe Earth on Turtle’s BackThe Earth on Turtle’s BackThe Fox, Coyote, & WhaleThe Fox, Coyote, & WhaleWhen Grizzlies Walked UprightWhen Grizzlies Walked Upright