Native American Oral Tradition “The Four Elements” On the final, you will be asked to read a...

Native American Oral Tradition

“The Four Elements”

On the final, you will be asked to read a Native American tale and analyze it via MC questions for the four elements. Review

this Ppt for the “Four Elements”

Storytelling in the Oral Tradition

Definition: Stories which are handed down, from generation to

generation, which define a people and their beliefs

• Why would a group of people have to hand down stories verbally at first?

• To save and preserve their stories if there is no written language.

• Earth, Wind, Fire and Water – common areas of focus along with

colors red, yellow, white and black

• Many of these stories have one, if not more, “jobs” that they fulfill:

Key ELEMENT - Job#1

#1 Explains a group’s ORIGINS

An “ORIGIN” story will answer

questions such as…

Where did I/we come from?

Is there a god or goddess, several gods/ goddesses? Are their animal or “Earth” spirits?

Also may involve mysterious forces, powers of creation

Key ELEMENT - Job #2

#2 Explains a person’s or group’s

PURPOSE

A story like this will give an individual and/or group their identity and

reason for existing.

Look for a part of the story which answers this question:

“Why am I

here –what am I meant to do?”

Key ELEMENT - Job #3:States/Explains religious

beliefs and life philosophiesThe story may

include an explanation of

specific thing/s a group of people believe in… or

explain an important “life”

philosophy.

Key Element – Job #4 #4 Teaches

moral behavior and / or a lesson

Watch for a part of the story, especially at the end, where a main character or group of

people has learned about what the people

consider “moral” behavior.

A “lesson” may be learned from poor

choices made during the story.

1. Explains the origins of a people2. Explains the purpose of an individual or group 3. Explains the religious beliefs and/or philosophies4. Explains moral behavior expectations and/or teaches a lessonREVIEW: What are the four

elements we look for to see if a story meets the criteria of

“oral tradition” tales in Native American Literature?

Thoughts to

ponder….

•When people move about, resettle, what do they bring with them?

• Stories! Verbally first, before written language, to save them. Then, written versions.

• What may begin to happen to these tales over time. Why?