Where the Two Came to Their Father [Paperback]

Maud Oakes (Author), Jeff King (Author), Joseph Campbell (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 1992 | Series: Bollingen Series (General)

This work takes its title from the richly symbolic creation legend of the Navaho people, which they incorporated into their blessing ceremony for tribe members headed to battle. Having observed this rite during World War II, when native Americans were for the first time drafted into the U.S. military, ethnologist Maud Oakes recorded the legend and made reproductions of the beautiful ceremonial paintings, given to her by the medicine man Jeff King. Originally printed separately in a portfolio, the text and eighteen paintings are now available as a bound book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First published in 1943, this volume records a five-day ceremony performed by Navaho medicine man Jeff King for the first Native American draftees in WW II. Oakes copies sand paintings created during the ritual and recounts a legend of two heroes undergoing rites of passage. (Jan.)no PW review
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; Rep Sub edition (December 17, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691020698
• ISBN-13: 978-0691020693
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A work of meaningful art!, May 7, 1998

By 

G. James (Colorado Springs, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Where the Two Came to Their Father (Paperback)

I heard this tale when I went to Indian Hills Elementary School in Gallup, NM in the early 70's. They showed it on one of the old filmstrips and I never forgot it. This story has carried me through life, and only after a long, long search did I finally find it a few years ago in this book. What a surprise to find Joseph Campbell involved with it, too! The sandpaintings of Jeff King, interpreted by Maud Oakes, are phenomenal! This story is truly magical, steeped deeply in the enchanting god-country of the Navajo. It was quite appropriately chosen as the first book of the Bollingen Series.