What do you think?
Rate this book
Creation and Confederation: The Living History of the Iroquois
In addition to the wampum belts that form our archives, the People of the Longhouse have also recorded our history and culture in written documents. This Rotinonhsió literary tradition reached its zenith in the 19th century, with the works of men like Joseph Brant, Major John Norton, David Cusick, J. N. B. Hewitt, Seth Newhouse, and John Arthur Gibson, to name just a few. They have preserved for us not only our creation story and epic of confederation, but the story of our own evolution. Written and illustrated by Darren Bonaparte (Mohawk) with additional illustrations by Dave Fadden, Thomas Deer, Natasha Smoke- Santiago, and Curtis Mitchell, Jr.
136 pages, Paperback
Published December 24, 2008
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 27, 2023
An important book, though brief and focused on a single topic: the creation sagas of the Six Nations, the People of the Longhouse, the Iroquois of Western New York and Canada.
A detailed recounting of at least three versions of the story, with variations. Most interesting to me is the narrative of the older man, the Peacemaker, who travels alone from village to village, tribe to tribe, bringing his messages of peace and tribal co-operation. The rites and rituals of courtesy to strangers, the travel by canoe through the waterways and ancient forests of New York are rich images. I can imagine many travels of the native peoples of the Americas this way, but especially those of the Woodlands of the east. People stayed connected through the travels of many men--and women--among the many different groups and villages.
Also makes me think of how this was done across many cultures, whether the wandering priests of the Russian steppe and forest, the holy men of India, the monks of Tibet, the friars of medieval Europe, the evangelicals of the ancient Middle East. To name a few.
I was privileged to hear the author's presentation of the various wampum belts in a talk at a local historic house museum. He has many unique perspectives on history.
A detailed recounting of at least three versions of the story, with variations. Most interesting to me is the narrative of the older man, the Peacemaker, who travels alone from village to village, tribe to tribe, bringing his messages of peace and tribal co-operation. The rites and rituals of courtesy to strangers, the travel by canoe through the waterways and ancient forests of New York are rich images. I can imagine many travels of the native peoples of the Americas this way, but especially those of the Woodlands of the east. People stayed connected through the travels of many men--and women--among the many different groups and villages.
Also makes me think of how this was done across many cultures, whether the wandering priests of the Russian steppe and forest, the holy men of India, the monks of Tibet, the friars of medieval Europe, the evangelicals of the ancient Middle East. To name a few.
I was privileged to hear the author's presentation of the various wampum belts in a talk at a local historic house museum. He has many unique perspectives on history.
April 18, 2021
Gives a fresh, present-day retelling of the Haudenosaunee Legendarium, by a young elected chief.
The "ancient astronaut" aspect will be off-putting to some readers. Nevertheless, that is only one chapter. And it's not a tragedy that present-day Haudenosanee Humanity are attempting to engage with the current modern belief systems.
Bonaparte is a warm, humorous and fresh storyteller.
The "ancient astronaut" aspect will be off-putting to some readers. Nevertheless, that is only one chapter. And it's not a tragedy that present-day Haudenosanee Humanity are attempting to engage with the current modern belief systems.
Bonaparte is a warm, humorous and fresh storyteller.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews