Native American History for Kids - Why did Native American NOT use proverbs to teach their kids as used in other cultures? (original) (raw)

Is the following sentence a Native American proverb? The soul would have no rainbow if the eye had no tears. The answer is - it might be, but if it is, it's unusual. Here's why:

"Years ago I read someplace that the absence of proverbs is some kind of distinguishing feature for all of the cultures of the Americas. At first it surprised me, but the more I have been thinking about it and asking around, the more it seems to be true. In the cultures I am mostly familiar with (subarctic Algonquians) there are no proverbs of any significance and I could philosophize on their absence, but I will not do. I am curious to hear about the results of this query." Peter Bakker (alf.let.uva.nl)

After checking with several of our old professors, and some new ones, we have come to believe that the proverb, like the horse, is not native to the Americas. It arrived with early European explorers.

There are many proverbs on the web that are attributed to Native Americans. As you find them, keep in mind that these are mostly European, Asian, or African proverbs. Some are reworded by those who posted these proverbs online so that they appear to fit the culture of the Americas, but to insert words like "moccasins" or "sweet grass" in a proverb does not make that proverb reflect the beliefs of a people.

To teach their children about their beliefs and culture, Native Americans in olden times, and still today, use games, myths, stories, dance, and impersonation. See these sites for some examples: Native American Stories &Native American Games

Native Americans for Kids

Native Americans in US, Canada, and the Far North

Early people of North America (during the ice age 40,000 years ago)

Northeast Woodland Tribes and Nations - The Northeast Woodlands include all five great lakes as well as the Finger Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River. Come explore the 3 sisters, longhouses, village life, the League of Nations, sacred trees, snowsnake games, wampum, the arrowmaker, dream catchers, night messages, the game of sep and more. Special Sections:Iroquois Nation,Ojibwa/Chippewa,The Lenape Indians. Read two myths: Wise Owl andThe Invisible Warrior.

Southeast Woodland Tribes and Nations - The Indians of the Southeast were considered members of the Woodland Indians. The people believed in many deities, and prayed in song and dance for guidance. Explore the darkening land, battle techniques, clans and marriage, law and order, and more. Travel the Trail of Tears. Meet theMuscogee (Creek),Chickasaw,Choctaw,Mississippians,Seminole Indians and Cherokee Indians.

Plains Indians - What was life like in what is now the Great Plains region of the United States? Some tribes wandered the plains in search of foods. Others settled down and grew crops. They spoke different languages. Why was the buffalo so important? What different did horses make? What was coup counting? Who was Clever Coyote? Meet theBlackfoot,Cheyenne,Comanche,Pawnee, andSioux Nation.

Southwest Indians - Pueblo is not the name of a tribe. It is a Spanish word for village. The Pueblo People are the decedents of theAnasazi People. The Navajo and the Apache arrived in the southwest in the 1300s. They both raided the peacefulPueblo tribes for food and other goods. Who were the Devil Dancers? Why are blue stones important? What is a wickiup? Who was Child of Water?

Pacific Coastal Northwest Indians - What made some of the Pacific Northwest Indian tribes "rich" in ancient times? Why were woven mats so important? How did totem poles get started? What was life like in the longhouse? What were money blankets and coppers? How did the fur trade work? How did Raven Steal Crow's Potlatch?

Inland Plateau People - About 10,000 years ago, different tribes of Indians settled in the Northwest Inland Plateau region of the United States and Canada, located between two huge mountain ranges - the Rockies and the Cascades. The Plateau stretches from BC British Columbia all the way down to nearly Texas. Each village was independent, and each had a democratic system of government. They were deeply religious and believed spirits could be found everything - in both living and non-living things. Meet theNez Perce

California Indians - The Far West was a land of great diversity. Death Valley and Mount Whitney are the highest and lowest points in the United States. They are within sight of each other. Tribes living in what would become California were as different as their landscape.