nature teva
Using specific examples (cite page numbers or line numbers) from at least three of the selections we read, discuss similarities in the American Indian view of nature.
In many of the American Indian selections we have read, the idea that humans have an interdependent and intimate relationship with nature is a prominent theme. In “The Song of the Sky Loom,” a tribal song from the Tewa people, they refer to nature as “Mother the Earth,” and “Father the Sky.” (p. 16 line 1) By stating these titles in the first line of this poem, it can be inferred that nature comes first in the Tewa’s lives. They also refer to themselves as nature’s “children.” (p. 16 line 2) These metaphors are used to describe the Tewa view of a close and familial relationship with nature. The Tewa people bring gifts to the earth and sky and ask for a beautiful day with sun and rain in return. (p. 16 line 3-7) The use of the word “fittingly” in line 10 and 11 shows the how the Tewa fit, or are in harmony with, nature. The Osage also present this kind of interdependency in “The Osage Creation Myth.” The Osage depict the sun as their father and the moon as their mother, which shows an intimate relationship with nature, similar to the Tewa. (p. 11) The elk in the Osage myth also represents nature. The elk provides them a place to live by calling the wind to blow away the water, and food by rolling around on the ground, just as nature provides land to live on and food through the earth (p. 11). In Leslie Marmon Silko’s “Prayer to the Pacific” she calls earth “sister spirit” and the turtle “Grandfather.” (p. 17 line 14, p. 18 line 21) Like both the Tewa and the Osage, Silko portrays a close and kindred relationship with nature. She also explains how nature has given her gifts of rain clouds and red coral, illustrating how nature provides assistance. (p. 17 line 13, p. 18 line 30). These passages show insight into the idea that the Native Americans were in accord with the natural world.
In many of the American Indian selections we have read, the idea that humans have an interdependent and intimate relationship with nature is a prominent theme. In “The Song of the Sky Loom,” a tribal song from the Tewa people, they refer to nature as “Mother the Earth,” and “Father the Sky.” (p. 16 line 1) By stating these titles in the first line of this poem, it can be inferred that nature comes first in the Tewa’s lives. They also refer to themselves as nature’s “children.” (p. 16 line 2) These metaphors are used to describe the Tewa view of a close and familial relationship with nature. The Tewa people bring gifts to the earth and sky and ask for a beautiful day with sun and rain in return. (p. 16 line 3-7) The use of the word “fittingly” in line 10 and 11 shows the how the Tewa fit, or are in harmony with, nature. The Osage also present this kind of interdependency in “The Osage Creation Myth.” The Osage depict the sun as their father and the moon as their mother, which shows an intimate relationship with nature, similar to the Tewa. (p. 11) The elk in the Osage myth also represents nature. The elk provides them a place to live by calling the wind to blow away the water, and food by rolling around on the ground, just as nature provides land to live on and food through the earth (p. 11). In Leslie Marmon Silko’s “Prayer to the Pacific” she calls earth “sister spirit” and the turtle “Grandfather.” (p. 17 line 14, p. 18 line 21) Like both the Tewa and the Osage, Silko portrays a close and kindred relationship with nature. She also explains how nature has given her gifts of rain clouds and red coral, illustrating how nature provides assistance. (p. 17 line 13, p. 18 line 30). These passages show insight into the idea that the Native Americans were in accord with the natural world.