Stories that make the world : oral literature of the Indian peoples of the Inland Northwest as told by Lawrence Aripa, Tom Yellowtail, and other elders

Frey, Rodney, 1950- (Added Author).

Summary: Frey (anthropology, Lewis-Clark State College) worked closely with tribal members in Washington, Idaho, and Montana to produce this anthology of contemporary Native oral literature illustrated with b & w portraits and landscapes. He traces cultural themes and literary motifs, and describes traditional storytelling techniques and the purposes of oral literature. The stories themselves are written in verse from and include notes on intonation, pauses, and gestures. For secondary and college-level students, as well as general readers.

Record details

ISBN: 0806127104
ISBN: 9780806127101
ISBN: 0806131314
ISBN: 9780806131313
Physical Description: print
xix, 264 pages : illustrations, maps ; 22 cm
Publisher: Norman : University of Oklahoma Press, ©1995.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 253-260) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Introduction: "The Tin Shed" Oral Literature, Myths and Tales. Four Smokes / Lawrence Aripa. Orality in a Literate Society. The Couple Befriended by the Moon / Young Crane. The Storytellers -- The Text: "See from the Inside Looking Out" Cultural Themes. Coyote and the Swallows / Louis Simpson. Coyote and the Sweat Lodge / Joe Hunt. Coyote and Swallowing Monster / Mari Watters. Seal Boy / Anonymous. Literary Motifs. Coyote and the Rock / Lawrence Aripa. Coyote and the Dart / Yellow-brow. Coyote and the White Man / Lawrence Aripa. Wise Man / Tom Yellowtail. Burnt Face / Plenty Hawk. Burnt Face / Tom Yellowtail. The Little People / Tom Yellowtail. Little Head / Tom Yellowtail -- The Texture: "Feel It" Orality and Literacy. Techniques of Storytelling. Power in Words. Sweat Lodge / Jim James. Star Husband / Barnaby. Coyote and the Green Spot / Lawrence Aripa -- The Context: "You've Gotta Go Inside" A Time for Stories. Purposes of Oral Literature. Cosechin / Lawrence Aripa.