The Americas

The Huarochi Manuscript, from the Andes:

In Chapters One and Two of this text, what examples can you find that are purely of the native tradition and which seem to have been influenced by Christianity?

Are there any parallels in the use of animal characters between this and the African tales we read?

Folksongs and Poems from the Andes:

Looking at the introductions to these sets of poems and songs, what might be the setting and purpose of one as an example?

Watunna from Venezuela: stories of Kuchi and Seminea:

The Watunna is a combination of history and myth in a creation cycle that involves the rain forest. What historical changes does each of these stories tell of?

What ecological truths might be found in these stories? What moral rules are highlighted as well? How about social customs?

How would you describe the two heroes, Kuchi and Semenia?

The Maya:

The Chilam Balam contains The Interrogation of the Chiefs, a series of riddles asked of the potential officials: what does this say about the system of government the Maya had?

In How Human Time Begins what native and what Christian influences can you see?

What are the three invasions in The Three Invasions?

We looked at a Shaman's song to cool fever and a hunter's song. The first is fairly straightforward if seen in terms of a healing chant, can you picture the setting? The Archer's Dance Song is more open to interpretation; using examples from the song, how would you picture the use of this song?

The Popul Vuh

What is the overall story of Book Two of the Popul Vuh (the first section up to the asterisks)?

What Mayan social customs can you find mentioned here?

How does the Ball Game fit into Mayan culture? What is the relationship of this game to the Underworld?

There is an anthropological theory for who the Underworld people are: that they represent an older race taken over by the Mayans. How does the story portray them? Remember to include Blood Woman in your considerations.

How is Blood Woman, who comes from the Underworld, related to corn, and how is corn related to the creation of humans?

How do you see One Monkey and One Artisan and their fate?

In Book Three there is an account of human creation, what is the gist of it?

The End of the Doll People:

This poem, the relation of which to the Popul Vuh is not made clear by the editors, retells the story of the making of humans and the rest of creation. What is the purpose of humans here?

It seems that perhaps this poem was written after the Popul Vuh, after the coming of Christianity; might this then be seen as a lament to the lost gods? Discuss.

The Aztecs

The Aztec Priests' Speech: what is the reason for the writing of this text and what does it say? Can you comment on it?

Twenty Sacred Hymns and other poems and songs: comment as you choose.

North America:

The Beginning of Newness: A Zuni Creation Myth:

What story does this tell, who are the characters and what do they do?

How do humans figure in this story?

An Indian Cinderella

Compare this story with the European version and/or the Chinese version (on line).

What are the values seen here?

White Buffalo Woman

What is this story teaching?

What is the purpose of smoking the pipe and can you comment on the symbolism found in that ritual?

Life Among the Paiutes

What is the relationship between the Native Americans and the 'whites' here? Note that it is not the same for all parties of the two sides.

Who is the narrator and what happens to her? What does she learn by the end of this part of the story?

Black Elk and The Butchering at Wounded Knee

Who is Black Elk and what story does he tell here?

Can you comment on the voice of the narrator?