In Harmony with Nature - Scripps Ranch High School
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In Harmony with Nature
Native American Traditions
Native Americans
200 distinct groups – 500 distinct
languages
Created the first American Literature
Oral Tradition - Spoken words handed
down from generation to generation in
storytelling and performances
Native American Literature
Emphasizes the importance of living in
harmony with the natural world
Human beings have a kinship with
animals, plants, the land, heavenly bodies,
and the elements
The human and the nonhuman are seen
as parts of a sacred whole
Human beings must maintain a right
relationship with the world around them
Native American Literature
Creation myths explain how the universe,
earth, and life began
Hero and trickster tales show how the
world transformed to its present state
Ritual songs and chants are used as part
of Native American ceremonies
Iroquois
Refers to six separate Native American groups –
Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onodaga, Mohawk,
and Tuscarora
All but the Tuscarora once resided in what is
now New York State
War with other tribes led to the formation of the
“Iroquois League” in 1570
For 200 years, Iroquois dominated other Native
American groups and remained free from British
and French rule
The World on the Turtle’s Back
Iroquois Creation Myth
Myth – Traditional story, passed down
through generations, that explains why
the world is the way that it is.
Creation Myth – A myth that explains how
the universe, earth and life began
Creation Myths
Explain the beginnings of the universe,
life, and the earth
To some extent, are imaginative stories of
cause and effect
Cause and Effect Relationship - One thing
(the cause) directly brings about the other
(the effect)
Sky Woman
(1936)
By Ernest Smith
The World on the Turtle’s Back
Contains the idea that there is a sky world
above our world where supernatural
beings exist
A story of cause and effect
The
actions of supernatural beings cause the
present features of the world to exist
Explains how the land and other physical
features were formed
Sky Woman
(1936)
By Ernest Smith
The World on the Turtle’s Back
Theme
Expresses a Native American ideal of
people living in harmony with nature
Vocabulary
Void (noun) – An empty space
There
A
was a void in my life until I met you.
void in the galaxy puzzled the scientists.
The
void between the towns was lonely and
desolate.
Vocabulary
Ritual (noun) – A ceremonial act or a
series of acts
My
ritual on Saturday mornings is to wake,
shower, eat breakfast, and watch cartoons.
The
priest performed the ritual, thus ensuring
the man’s salvation.
Vocabulary
Devious (noun) – shifty; not straightforward
I
felt devious when I tricked the child into giving
me his candy.
The
devious man would not tell us where he
came from.
Vocabulary
Contend (verb) – To compete; vie
The
No
football team contended for the trophy.
one will contend with me; they are too
scared.
Vocabulary
Succumb (verb) – to give up or give in; yield
I
tried to keep my hopes up, but eventually I
succumbed to the loneliness.
I
predict that Frank will succumb to the other
man’s superior skills in the boxing match.
Creation Myth
Review: explains how the universe, earth,
and life began
Creation myths, like all myths, are
essentially religious, presenting the cosmic
views of the groups that create them
Joseph Cambell - American mythology
professor, writer, and orator best known
for his work in the fields of comparative
mythology and comparative religion
Cambell’s Four Functions of the Myth
To instill a sense of awe toward the
mystery of the universe
To explain the workings of the natural
world
To support and validate social customs
To guide people through the trials of living