Native North America (Civilization of the American Indian

Ancient Civilisations: life, myth and art #8

by Larry J. Zimmerman, Brian Leigh Molyneaux

With abundant photographs, more than 160 in color, Native North America illustrates tribal life, sacred arenas, spiritual traditions, and artifacts of the indigenous people of North America, from the Inuit of the Canadian north to the Navajo of the American southwest.

Beginning with a brief history of Native Americans, Larry Zimmerman and Brian Molyneaux explore individual culture areas, region by region. They discuss Native American spiritual observances, including personal and communal rituals, initiation rites, and curing ceremonies. Through descriptions of the powwow, rites of passage, plant rituals, oral storytelling, dreams, the ghost dance, and the drum, the authors provide a sensitive introduction to Native American spiritual traditions and examine issues that face Native Americans today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Native American, Anthropology

184 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 1996

Reviews

[Eloise Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book it feels like I didn't know much anything about native Americans before :(. Now I can say I understand a bit better how little I really know.

All in all, you get a pretty good overview of different aspects of their history, languages, rituals, everyday life, ethnic division, cultural heritage etc etc. Their world is even more gripping than I have so far anticipated.
Coming from a small nation (just 1 million) on the periphery of Europe, I can somewhat relate to the situation of the native Americans. Especially because for centuries there have always been other nations ruling over us and somewhat also because Estonians are and have been pagans with a close-to-nature lifestyle.

It's a good read where to start from to get a general introduction into the subject.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, informative.

[Elar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hea sisekaemus indiaanlaste kultuurilisele taustale ja pärinemisele.

[Cobertizo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Según un relato Tsimshian, Txamsem (Cuervo) tiende una trampa al gran jefe del cielo para arrebatarle su posesión más querida, la luna, a fin de que los pobladores del mundo, que hasta entonces han vivido en una especie de crepúsculo eterno, consigan la luz. Cuervo se convirtió en una aguja de pino junto a la charca en la que bebía la hija del jefe del cielo. Ésta la trago, quedó embarazada y parió a Cuervo con forma de niño. Cuervo se unió a la familia del jefe cielo y convenció a este último para que le permitiese jugar con una pelota hecha con una vejiga, recipiente donde guardaban la luna. Cierto día la familia se olvidó de vigilar al niño, que hizo rebotar la pelota hasta atravesar la puerta. Una vez fuera visitó sus viejas ropas de Cuervo y, vejiga en mano, regresó volando al mundo de los humanos.
Más adelante Cuervo pidió a un grupo de seres espectrales que le entregasen parte de los peces que acababan de capturar. Como se negaron, Cuervo se enfureció y revntó la vejiga porque sabía hasta que punto los seres espectrales odiaban la luz. La vejiga se partió, la luna escapó y la luz inundó el firmamento, lo que supuso el primer amanecer del mundo"

[Sara Jane Blackman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly a lot of research went into writing this book, but it felt like reading a high school text book. Nothing ever went deeper than surface level, which to be fair, how else could you write a book about every Indian tribe found in the Americas and NOT be a bit shallow (unless you want to end up with a very, very large book)? I wasn't terribly impressed; the most interesting thing I could say about the book was that it was published in London and I had fun with European spellings and punctuation.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I loved the set up. I loved the scope of information. I loved the pictures it contained. It has made me want to learn more. And has made me want to find out more about the one Algonquin lady I'm related to.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to have comprehensive and balanced coverage, even for politically sensitive issues. It's organized by topic, and then more like an encyclopedia than a narrative. Photos and contemporary references add significantly to the relevance.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book about the country, people and places, great to take along with you traveling.