A look at the rituals, beliefs, life and death, myth, gods, kachinas, the relation between the supernatural and the weather, rain-making, agriculture, witches, underworld and healing.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 6 sources, 1994, $ 47.95
From the Paper "North American Indians share a belief in a supernatural being representing a god, and practice religions based in myth and rituals. They have a profusion of tales regarding the origin of the world and what makes nature work (Hultkrantz 30). The purpose of this paper will be to discuss one of these tribes, the Hopi of the Pueblo Nation, and its religious beliefs, with particular emphasis on the person, spirit or God who the culture thinks can control the weather or alter it. The research also will present this culture's view of the end of the world and compare it to others within the Pueblo and Indian nations.
The Pueblos, comprised of many linguistic families, are primarily found throughout the area now known as New Mexico. Sedentary agriculturists, they lived in stone or adobe community houses which made up villages called pueblos and were noted for..."
This paper analyzes the 1972 Supreme Court case (Wisconsin v. Yoder) allowing Amish children to not attend public school and two cases involving Native American religion.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 10 sources, 1995, $ 119.95
From the Paper "Although Wisconsin v. Yoder was the first decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the rights of religious dissenters (the Amish) to forgo compulsory education requirements, the case did not set a clear precedent of judicial tolerance for the practices of other religious minority groups. On the contrary, lower courts and the Supreme Court itself have subsequently ruled against religious minorities (most notably, Native Americans) when the practice of their religions conflicted with government interests. Some anthropologists claim that the Amish were given preferential treatment in Wisconsin v. Yoder because the nature of their religion conformed to the prevailing WASP norms and mores.
The controversy that led to Wisconsin v. Yoder began in 1968 when school officials in New Glarus, Wisconsin filed suit against ... "
From the Paper "The recent film version of The Last of the Mohicans (1992) takes certain liberties with the original story in an attempt to create a saga far more romantic than James Fenimore Cooper would ever have imagined. The novel was part of a series of novels known collectively as "The Leatherstocking Tales," of which there are five, all produced between 1823 and 1841. The Last of the Mohicans was the second in the series in the order written, though the chronological order of the novels would be different, with the first story chronologically being the last of the five novels produced. Cooper was the first major American novelist, and his books are infused with an understanding of the colonial period, though Cooper himself was born not only after that era but after the founding of the country in 1776. Cooper was born in 1789 and died in 1851. His most popular novel was probably ..."
From the Paper "This paper will examine the law of some of the Plains Indians and will use the laws of the Cheyenne and Comanche tribes as case studies. The case studies selected for this paper will illustrate the political and legal systems of the Cheyenne and Comanche tribes. This paper will also compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the legal systems of these two tribes.
A review of several case histories of the Cheyenne and Comanche tribes reveals that, although the Cheyennes have a more sophisticated culture than the Comanches and the economic base of the two societies is similar, the Cheyenne culture reflects a higher level of institutionalization (Hoebel, 1969, p. 6). The most notable difference between the legal systems of the two societies is that the Comanches do not recognize their behavior ..."
Abstract This paper examines Tony Hillerman's book "Dance Hall of the Dead"about a Navajo policeman who investigates the murder of a young Zuni. It discusses how no one, outside an initiated practitioner in a Native American religion can really comprehend the true significance of its beliefs and rituals and how Hillerman in this novel makes an excellent beginning in differentiating between spiritual beliefs of Zuni and Navajo. It shows how the Zuni religion can be seen to be extensively different from the religion of the Navajo's in the two tribes' rituals, burial practices and beliefs in an afterlife. It uses outside sources to confirm and expand on the understanding of these varied spiritual practices.
From the Paper "For the Navajo, spirituality permeates all areas of life and is rooted in nature. Daily life proceeds upon Mother Earth and under Father Sky. There is no word for religion in the Navajo language, not because there is no religion, but because religion is not separate from life. There is nothing but religion, otherwise known as life among the Dineh, or the People. Rituals, prayers, legends and songs, are scarcely ever out of their minds. The Navajo create sand paintings and hold sings such as the Enemy Way, the Blessing Way, the Flint Way and the Mountain Top Way to cure illness and to help them surmount the problems of life on earth (Waters 248-249). From the Navajo point of view, as Frank Waters puts it, "religion is the way of life" (Waters 396)."
Abstract This paper introduces the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, born in an Indian village near Dayton, Ohio, in March 1768 and one of the most successful known Indian leaders. It compares how the two main authorities on him, John Sugden and David Edmunds, convey Tecumseh, his life as well as his accomplishments. It discusses how Sugden and Edmunds exhibit extremely divergent writing styles and approaches to their topics, and how both give clear and compelling accounts of the man Tecumseh and his motivations. He was a great man and it is no wonder so many authors have attempted to tell his story.
From the Paper "Edmunds' story is also well written and compelling, and like Sugden, he gives personal glimpses into the man, made possible by his research and understanding of his topic. Both men place thoughts and actions in the character's heads, and thought they could not have known what these historic people were really thinking, they had a very good idea through their immersion in their topic, they both understand the motivations and beliefs of the historic characters in the story, because of their intensive study of their subjects. "
Abstract Southwestern American literature forms a distinct genre with a sharp flavor that includes land, geography, attitudes and people. Four novels, Tony Hillerman's "Dance Hall of the Dead", Edward Abbey's "Fire on the Mountain", Cormac McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses", and Rudolfo Anaya's "Bless Me, Ultima" are disscussed in this paper to present a partial menu of this exceptionally pungent mix.
From the Paper "Within the harsh realities of llanero life, Anayo shows us the spirit of the Chicano people who inhabit this bleak land. He gives us what Paul Beekman Taylor calls the wings of survival: "the spirit's soar to salvation (where) flight merges quests for art with the soul's inclination toward its source; that is, worldly with spiritual aspirations" (Taylor unpaged). Antonio's spirit is one with the spirit of the llano: "The summer came and burned me brown with its energy, and the llano and the river filled me with their beauty" (Anaya 76). His soul immerses itself in the mystery of Ultima's magic, in order, in the words of Taylor, to achieve "flight from chains of church, national identity, and parental ties" (unpaged), to learn to be himself and survive in this land."
Abstract This paper discusses and compares "The Treaty of Canandaigua 1794: 200 Years of Treaty Relations between the Iroquois Confederacy and the United States" by G. Peter Jemison and Anna M. Schein and James Wilson's "The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America". The paper shows that "The Treaty of Canandaigua" provides an in-depth analysis of the treaty and its effects on both the Native American and European population of the United States, while "The Earth Shall Weep" encompasses the lives and history of many diverse Native American tribes, over almost their entire known history.
From the Paper "Interestingly, James Wilson is not a Native American, and yet he writes The Earth Shall Weep as if he were. Wilson's analysis is clearly written outside of the Eurocentric, Christian view that has dominated the world stage for so long. As such, Wilson's review of Native American history is fresh and inviting. He manages to create a somewhat balanced overview of the indigenous North American population, while never idealizing or demonizing their culture. As such, Wilson's somewhat detached viewpoint works wonders in this lengthy (480 page) work by creating a book that is both instructive and balanced.
This balance is especially refreshing give the tendency of many books on native American culture to be written either from a dry, academic standpoint, or from a somewhat naive and idealistic viewpoint of indigenous North American culture. Wilson's book gives a useful review of Native American history without falling prey to the either extreme of analysis. As such, the book is engaging and readable, without being overbearing or exclusionist in its point of view."
Abstract By examining the life of Black Elk, this paper provides a brief historical tour of the life of a typical Native American being confronted with the advancing white pioneers attempting to move Westward. It explores the events of various battles that took place between the pioneers and the Native Americans and the involvement that Black Elk had in each of these. It focuses specifically on the saga of the Sioux tribe.
From the Paper "According to the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia (2002), Black Elk (1863?1950) was a Native American religious leader of the Oglala Lakota band of the Sioux tribe. Black Elk, who at the age of 17 had a vision of the Lakota people rising up and freeing their lands from the white settlers, tried to find ways of reconciling his people's traditions with Christianity and the encroaching reality of white dominance. This vision was a famous one among the Sioux in which the Powers of the World told Black Elk of a "fearful road, a road of troubles and of war. On this road you shall walk, and from it you shall have the power to destroy a people's foes" (Neihardt, p. 29). Reality, unfortunately, would prove to be quite different. The whites were eventually successful in obliterating the Native Americans? way of life and subjugating the peoples."
Abstract This paper shows how, on the surface and upon first reading, "A House Made of Dawn" sounds and appears to be like every other Native American novel - focus on the typical patterns of return and homing. But a closer study of the novel's tone, themes, structure and diction reveals that its fame is intricately connected with its unique non-stereotypical illustration of Native American views and emotions. This paper focuses on various different aspects of the novel to show why it is different from other similar writings and why it truly deserved a Pulitzer Prize.
From the Paper "It is a rich, metaphorically lyrical tale depicting Native American's situation in a big white world of America. The story may appear rather puzzling to those who are unable to move with the author from one location to another almost in the blink of an eye. The tone of the novel isn"t disturbing as that of some other native pieces but is certainly thought provoking. But the one thing that I found highly amazing and unique about this novel is the fact that it isn"t exactly written for white people to make them feel guilty and ashamed. It is actually written for Native Americans so that they are able to come to terms with the core of their misery and confusion as Indians surrounding by arrogance of whiteness."
Abstract This paper asks why love is such a hot topic today. Was love present in America before our modern idea of the nuclear family took hold in the 1950s? The paper asks how the idea of love between the conjugal couple and between the children has historically forced the structure of the family.
From the Paper "In the present time, the idea of love has consumed us. We write movies, songs, plays and books about it. We dream about it. We even set aside a day to celebrate it. We are told love is a biological condition, that when our brain finds someone else's pheromones desirable, we feel as if we"ve been struck with cupid's arrow. Although there are biological aspects to the feeling of love, an intense emotional bond to another human being, the meaning of love in a larger socioeconomic world changes with the economy. Love, as we know it, didn"t exist for colonial settlers of the New World or for the Native Americans. Love as we know it is entirely an invention of our particular society, and has a direct correlation to capitalism and class rank. An exploration of family life in different time periods can accurately show how modern man's interpretation of what seems to be such a complex emotion is completely reliant on economic and social factors."
Abstract Describes each group and compares them. Aztecs as dominant ruling trible in post-classic MesoAmerica. Territory of Valley of Mexico. Control of water resources as a major issue. Primary religion, calendar, art, social structure. Iroquois tribes of North America. Common culture and language of the 5 Tribes. Impact of European settlers.
From the Paper "?From the beginning of the Classic period onward, the instability of the northern cultural frontier of Meso-America was a reflection of the constant recruitment of "barbarian" tribes to the MesoAmerican way of life.?
(Spencer & Jennings, 1965, P. 130)
The Aztecs were a collective group of ?Nahua-speaking peoples and became the dominant ruling barbarian tribe in Post-classic MesoAmerica. They followed after the Ancient Olmecs, the Mayas, and the cross-existing Toltecs. The Aztecs were the first group to contribute true cities to MesoAmerican culture."
Abstract Argues tht Columus did not "discover" America since it was already inhabited by non-European human beings. Discusses Columbus' achievement as the first European to sail the Atlantic & bring European culture, religion & values to the land he discovered. His passion for discovery. His point of view that he and his men owned all they "discovered," & the existing inhabitants having no value as human beings. Contends that Columbus' discovery of America was a major element in the mythical, not actual, past of the nation.
From the Paper "This study will argue that Christopher Columbus did not "discover" America, and that only by twisting reality can it be said that he or any European "discovered" a land which was already inhabited by other human beings. The basis of this twisting of reality is that the inhabitants of the "New World" were less than human beings, and therefore it cannot be said that the land was inhabited at all, but was instead populated by semi-humans, by near-animals, by non-Christian savages with no civilized qualities. In reality, however, the "Indians" Columbus "discovered" were indeed human beings with a subtle civilization and a fully developed religious belief system. Therefore, Columbus did not "discover America" because it had already been discovered and populated by human beings long before his arrival. He and his fellow arrogant and ethnocentric Europeans imagined ..."
Abstract Discusses theme of alienation in two novels. The characters of John Smith in Sherman Alexie's INDIAN KILLER, and Abel in N. Scott Momoday's HOUSE MADE OF DAWN. Various levels of alienation experienced by the characters (from family, from self, from society). Problem of maintaining cultural ties in an oppressed subculture. Setting & plot of novels.
From the Paper "The characters of John Smith in Sherman Alexie's Indian Killer and Abel in N. Scott Momaday's House Made of Dawn are each alienated from their society, an alienation that actually takes place on several levels--alienation from family, alienation from Indian society, alienation from the larger society of America, and even alienation from the human race. The process of alienation for begins in childhood for John Smith and becomes acute for Abel when he returns from army service in World War II. In both cases, the difficulty of maintaining cultural ties in a subculture that is dominated and oppressed by the white majority.
In Alexie's murder story, a serial killer is operating in Seattle and leaving behind scalped corpses decorated with owl feathers. This leads to a good deal of anti.Indian rhetoric ..."
Abstract This research paper compares and analyzes the cultural and institutional change among the Powhatans and the Southeastern Nation Indians during the 19th century. In this paper, the pre-colonial cultural and institutional structures are explored to determine their potential change. Then a brief description of the changes of the two groups of Indians is examined and compared.
From the Paper "The Powhatans were a farming people who lived a stable lifestyle, governed by an orderly government. Women were responsible for the cultivation of the fields, while the men hunted and fished (Rountree 5). They prided themselves on their possessions by wearing deer hides that were decorated with different ornaments (Rountree 7). External clothing and decorations were also used to delineate the social hierarchy on special occasions. The different rulers were also expected to be addressed with specific special behavior (Rountree 9)."
