The Myths of the North American Indians

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Spence, Lewis, 1874-1955

Contributor:

Jack, James

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Myths of the North American Indians" by Lewis Spence is a scholarly account of the mythology and cultural traditions of North American Indigenous peoples, written in the early 20th century. The work seeks to shed light on a subject often overlooked, aiming to present a comprehensive view of the mythologies of various tribes while blending historical and ethnological insights. The narrative emphasizes the stark differences between Native American and European worldviews, indicating that a proper understanding of Indian myth requires recognizing these differences. The opening of the book sets the stage by discussing the historical neglect of North American Indian mythologies and the misconceptions that have emerged from European indifference and misunderstanding. Spence reflects on the curiosity and astonishment that early Europeans felt upon encountering the Native peoples, contrasting their previous knowledge of other cultures with their lack of awareness about the rich traditions of American Indians. He criticizes outdated and fanciful theories about the Indigenes, while outlining the volume's purpose: to provide a general overview of the myths, their cultural significance, and the impacts of various environmental factors on the development of these narratives. The emphasis is placed on establishing a well-rounded understanding of the cultural contexts from which these myths arose, highlighting the intersection of myth, nature, and the historical experiences of Native peoples. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Divisions, customs, and history of the race

The mythologies of the North American Indians

Algonquian myths and legends

Iroquois myths and legends

Sioux myths and legends

Myths and legends of the Pawnees

Myths And legends of the northern and north-western Indians

Bibliography

Glossary and index.

Credits:

Produced by Al Haines

Notes:

Reading ease score: 68.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2013-03-22