About the Book
This anthology of treasures from the oral literature of Native California, assembled by an editor admirably sensitive to language, culture, and history, will delight scholars and general readers alike. Herbert Luthin's generous selection of stories, anecdotes, myths, reminiscences, and songs is drawn from a wide sampling of California's many Native cultures, and although a few pieces are familiar classics, most are published here for the first time, in fresh literary translations. The translators, whether professional linguists or Native scholars and storytellers, are all acknowledged experts in their respective languages, and their introductions to each selection provide welcome cultural and biographical context. Augmenting and enhancing the book are Luthin's engaging, informative essays on topics that range from California's Native languages and oral-literary traditions to critical issues in performance, translation, and the history of California literary ethnography.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
List of Tables
Acknowledgments
Pronunciation Guide
Song from the myth "Kwikumat Became Sick," Quechan
General Introduction
Making Texts, Reading Translations
Part 1. Selections
"Creation Songs," Cupeño
1. Kwaw Labors to Form a World
Atsugewi, 1996
Northwestern California
Doctor dance song, Yurok
2. Test-ch’as (The Tidal Wave)
Tolowa, 1985
3. "The Young Man from Serper" and Other Stories
Yurok, 1951, 1985-1988
4. Coyote and Old Woman Bullhead
Karuk, circa 1930
5. The Devil Who Died Laughing
Karuk, 1950
6. "The Boy Who Grew Up at Ta’k’imilding" and Other Stories
Hupa, 1963-1964
7. The Bear Girl
Chimariko, 1921
North-Central California
Spell said by a girl desirous of getting a husband, Northern Yana
8. How My Father Found the Deer
Achumawi, 1970
9. Naponoha (Cocoon Man)
Atsugewi, 1931
10. A Story of Lizard
Yahi, 1915
11. A Selection of Wintu Songs
Wintu, 1929-1931
12. Loon Woman: He-who-is-made-beautiful, She-who-becomes-loon
Wintu, 1929
13. Four Songs from Grace McKibbin
Wintu, circa 1982
14. How I Became a Dreamer
Nomlaki, 1935
15. Mad Bat
Maidu, circa 1902
16. Creation
Eastern Pomo, 1930
17. The Trials of Young Hawk
Southern Pomo, 1940
18. The Woman Who Loved a Snake
Cache Creek Pomo, 1988
19. The Dead People’s Home
Lake Miwok, 1980
South-Central California
Excerpt from "The Ciq’neq’ Myth," Ventureño Chumash
20. Two Stories from the Central Valley
"Visit to the Land of the Dead": Chawchila Yokuts, 1931
"Condor Steals Falcon’s Wife": Yowlumni Yokuts, 1930
21. The Contest between Men and Women
Tübatulabal, circa 1932
22. The Dog Girl
Ineseño Chumash, 1913
Southern California
Excerpt from an account of "The Soul," Quechan
23. The Creation
Serrano, 1963
24. A Harvest of Songs from Villiana Calac Hyde
Luiseño, 1988-1992
25. From "The Life of Hawk Feather": The Bear Episodes
Cupeño, 1962 and 1920
26. In the Desert with Hipahipa
Mojave, 1902
27. An Account of Origins
Quechan (Yuma), 1908
Part 2. Essays on Native California Languages and Oral Literatures
"When I Have Donned My Crest of Stars," Kiliwa
A Brief History of Collection
"Women’s Brush Dance Song," Luiseño
Notes on Native California Oral Literatures
Funeral speech, Quechan
Notes on Native California Languages
Maps
Bibliography
Acknowledgments of Permissions
Index
