A stunning combination of master storytelling and deft translation produced this world-class collection of Maidu myths, with a forward by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gary Snyder.
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From Publishers Weekly
Linguist and anthropologist Shipley has produced a major anthology of myths and tales of the Maidu Indians of Northern California. Originally relayed by Hanc'ibyjim, the last great Maidu storyteller, to an American Museum of Natural History expedition in 1902-1903, the stories in this collection languished, all but forgotten until Shipley began their recovery in the 1980s. In his vibrant new translation, he has gone to great lengths to maintain the oral, theatrical quality of their original telling. Sensitively handled, the narratives take on an Homeric timbre. The centerpiece of the book is the creation myth in which Earthmaker sings the world into being. This is followed by a section of stories revolving around the trickster Coyote, present at creation and symbolizing at once negation and the human spirit. These are balanced by tales of numerous other beings. Shipley also provides a brief, helpful introduction to the Maidu people. He rejects romantic images that ultimately dehumanize Native Americans by turning them into icons. By culling a broad cross-section of myths, he supplies a full-scale picture of the Maidu as earthy, sensuous human beings.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In 1912, Roland B. Dixon published a dual Maidu/English edition of a large number of myths collected from the Maidu storyteller Hanc'ibyjim. Returning to the original Maidu transcriptions, Shipley offers this new and fresh translation, catching more of the drama and poetry of the myths than the original translation. The myths are divided into three sections: creation myths, in which Coyote and Earthmaker argue over the characteristics of the Earth and its inhabitants; the more familiar tales of Coyote; and tales of other beings. This is an important collection, advancing the cause of Native American literature. It will, however, appeal more to scholars and readers with some prior knowledge than to the novice.
- Debbie Tucker, Cincinnati Technical Coll.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Debbie Tucker, Cincinnati Technical Coll.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An important document for its mythographical constructs.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Maidu Indian Myths and Stories of Hanc'ibyjim (Paperback)
Editor William Shipley has done a fine job of taking what must be the largest native-American story database (Maidu tribe) extant, and shown the tales in a favorable light for modern Mankind. One other triblet and a small scattering of surviving rancheria/reservation bands have materials of the quality of the Maidu, but no other California site Indian populations had the sheer volumes, NATIVE- VOICED, and available for posterity. This is a good thing and the trend should be adopted while there are still a few stories out there that might even have the NATIVE-NAMES in place, for the sake of children everywhere, and their parents who have yet to grow-up, I can think of few talemakers who have so cleverly placed Man' fate into the hands of his Maker, in such alarming/amazing ways!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Maidu Indians,
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This review is from: The Maidu Indian Myths and Stories of Hanc'ibyjim (Paperback)
This was a gift to a well know linguist in indian languages and culture and he was very happy with this book and its coverage and fine organization. It is well written and will be interesting to anyone who wants to learn of our local indian culture.
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