II.

Oral Traditions

Oral traditions are an important part of Native American culture. Traditional Native American beliefs hold that thought and speech are tied to each another. Thoughts have creative power, and the spoken word, as the physical expression of thought, is sacred. Good thoughts and good words express positive energy, while bad thoughts and bad words express negative energy.

In addition to using writing systems, Native Americans in earlier times passed down tribal knowledge in spoken forms such as speeches, songs, stories, ceremonies, chants, and rituals. The first Native American works written in European languages were transcribed speeches and treaties with European colonists. These speeches and treaties date to the 1600s and 1700s. Today, Native American oral literature encompasses many literary forms, and of these forms, songs and stories are among the most important.

Songs are composed by individuals, groups, and supernatural sources. Traditional beliefs hold that songs can create harmony. Each tribe has its own songs, as well as songs that are shared among tribes, and songs can be categorized according to their use, such as for religious ceremonies or for social events. Drums and flutes are two of the most popular musical instruments. Songs are most often accompanied by dance.

Stories play a crucial role in defining what it means to be a member of a given tribe and how a person relates to the tribe’s past, present, and future. Although the details of stories found in different tribes may differ, the tales often have similar themes. One common theme is the creation of the world. Another is the theme of a people’s origins and migrations. In addition, most tribes have numerous stories about individual figures such as tricksters (figures who teach lessons through making mistakes) and mythical heroes. For example, the Ojibwa people tell stories about Nanabozho, their trickster figure. Likewise, Cherokee people are familiar with Kanati, the Perfect Hunter, and his wife Selu, or Corn.

Oral literature remained important in Native American life through the 20th century and will continue to be important in the 21st century. One of the most influential works of modern oral literature was the narrated autobiography of Black Elk (a Lakota). The book Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux (1932) was transcribed and edited by American poet John G. Neihardt. In addition, many modern written works show the influence of oral literature. The Way to Rainy Mountain (1969) by N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa) and Storyteller (1981) by Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna) express the importance of the spoken word as it has been passed from generation to generation.