jjares reviewed Native American Myths: Captivating Myths and Legends of Cherooke Mythology, the Choctaws and Other Indigenous Peoples from North America on + 3384 more book reviews
This bundle offers a selection of indigenous Indian cultural stories. The author has selected at least one myth from every major cultural group in North America: Artic, California, Great Basin, Great Plains, Northeast Forest, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Southeast, Southwest, and the Sub-artic tribes. The Choctaw and Cherokee myths (offered in the remaining two sections) are both of the Southeastern cultural group.
NATIVE AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY --
Captivating History starts out with a fascinating tidbit by Craig Childs; who believes that the indigenous Indian peoples may have migrated to the North American mainland in more than one migration event (it's been a common theory that the Indians came across the Bering Strait in one long migration). They may have used coastal water routes and may have come from Europe and Asia. DNA geneticists will have a wonderful time with this new theory; I can hardly wait for the research results.
Just as there are millions of myths, there are many reasons for their creation -- to inspire, to frighten, to teach a moral, to explain heroic behavior, to explain the unexplained, etc. Mythology must be a strong interest of one/some of the Captivating History author/s because they gather new collections often -- and they tend to be some of the company's most interesting offerings.
The author has selected myths from a wide variety of Indigenous Indian cultures. One strong point of Captivating History is that they usually offer an explanation (in Italics) before the story, to place the story in context. This helps greatly with understanding. The author starts with a creation story (the origin of things). Then, is the creation of death; something that I've read considerably less about in myths over the years.
The next part has stories about ghosts and monsters. Next, are a few stories about tricksters. Indian cultures show their humorous side by giving animals (and even birds or insects) human aspects and let them teach the readers important truths about life. In the final section, hero tales are shared.
CHEROKEE MYTHS --
The stories highlighted here seemed a bit different than myths of other civilizations. So often, myths give the reason why something is the way it is. Certainly, some of these stories do that. However, some stories are just tales shared over the generations, without a particular 'moral to the story' or an explanation of why an animal acts a certain way. And that is fine; I was just interested that these stories were unique to the Cherokee.
The Cherokee seemed to be particularly disdainful of pride and jealousy. Their stories show the unfortunate results of prideful and jealous people and creatures. I really appreciate Captivating History gathering these stories for readers' edification.
CHOCTAW MYTHS --
Today's subjects are the Choctaw Indians and their similar Southeastern American tribes, including the Alabama, Caddo, Chitimacha, Creek, Natchez, and Seminoles. One thing I've learned is that each culture fills a need to provide their people with a story to explain their creation in this world. The 'creation story' is the first story in this book.
Then, there are stories from other groups of these Southeastern Indian tribes. Animals (rabbits, alligators, turkeys, etc.,) take on human speech and teach us important lessons about life. These stories were shared between tribes by oral tradition until they were finally written down. Now, everyone can learn about the traditions, attitudes, and living principles that various tribes chose to live by through the centuries of their existence. Those lessons teach us that we are far more alike than different.
NATIVE AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY --
Captivating History starts out with a fascinating tidbit by Craig Childs; who believes that the indigenous Indian peoples may have migrated to the North American mainland in more than one migration event (it's been a common theory that the Indians came across the Bering Strait in one long migration). They may have used coastal water routes and may have come from Europe and Asia. DNA geneticists will have a wonderful time with this new theory; I can hardly wait for the research results.
Just as there are millions of myths, there are many reasons for their creation -- to inspire, to frighten, to teach a moral, to explain heroic behavior, to explain the unexplained, etc. Mythology must be a strong interest of one/some of the Captivating History author/s because they gather new collections often -- and they tend to be some of the company's most interesting offerings.
The author has selected myths from a wide variety of Indigenous Indian cultures. One strong point of Captivating History is that they usually offer an explanation (in Italics) before the story, to place the story in context. This helps greatly with understanding. The author starts with a creation story (the origin of things). Then, is the creation of death; something that I've read considerably less about in myths over the years.
The next part has stories about ghosts and monsters. Next, are a few stories about tricksters. Indian cultures show their humorous side by giving animals (and even birds or insects) human aspects and let them teach the readers important truths about life. In the final section, hero tales are shared.
CHEROKEE MYTHS --
The stories highlighted here seemed a bit different than myths of other civilizations. So often, myths give the reason why something is the way it is. Certainly, some of these stories do that. However, some stories are just tales shared over the generations, without a particular 'moral to the story' or an explanation of why an animal acts a certain way. And that is fine; I was just interested that these stories were unique to the Cherokee.
The Cherokee seemed to be particularly disdainful of pride and jealousy. Their stories show the unfortunate results of prideful and jealous people and creatures. I really appreciate Captivating History gathering these stories for readers' edification.
CHOCTAW MYTHS --
Today's subjects are the Choctaw Indians and their similar Southeastern American tribes, including the Alabama, Caddo, Chitimacha, Creek, Natchez, and Seminoles. One thing I've learned is that each culture fills a need to provide their people with a story to explain their creation in this world. The 'creation story' is the first story in this book.
Then, there are stories from other groups of these Southeastern Indian tribes. Animals (rabbits, alligators, turkeys, etc.,) take on human speech and teach us important lessons about life. These stories were shared between tribes by oral tradition until they were finally written down. Now, everyone can learn about the traditions, attitudes, and living principles that various tribes chose to live by through the centuries of their existence. Those lessons teach us that we are far more alike than different.
