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?
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