This assignment is due this Sunday, April 17th 2016 at 8:00 A.M. Pacific time This assignment involves answering multiple-choice questions related to Native American myths and stories, including Hopi, Navajo, Pima, and Apache traditions. The questions test knowledge of specific mythological figures, stories, and cultural concepts from these tribes.
Paper For Above instruction The mythology and oral traditions of Native American tribes serve as vital cultural artifacts that convey the origins, beliefs, and values of these communities. These stories are often rooted in natural phenomena, spiritual beliefs, and moral teachings that have been passed down through generations. This paper examines several aspects of Native American mythologies, focusing specifically on the Hopi, Navajo, Pima, and Apache traditions, and explores how these stories define cultural identity, explain the natural world, and reinforce societal norms. The Hopi origin myth, recorded by Frank Cushing in 1907, provides a foundational narrative about the tribe's origins and spiritual beliefs. According to the myth, the Hopi emerged from the subterranean world, often depicted as caves or worlds beneath the surface. These stories serve as a sacred account, emphasizing themes of emergence and spiritual purification. The location and timing of Cushing's recording are significant; his work in 1907 helped preserve these stories amid rapid cultural change. In the myth, the Hopi are described as emerging into this world through a sacred process that underscores their spiritual connection to the earth and cosmos (Wasson, 1980). Further exploring the Hopi myth, the section pertaining to their enemies illustrates complex intertribal relationships and conflicts. The Navajo and Yuma are frequently mentioned as adversaries, with the Navajo considered a perennial enemy by the Hopi. This antagonism reflects historical conflicts and territorial disputes, but also serves as a moral lesson within their stories about resilience and cultural preservation (David, 1988). The myth emphasizes the importance of spiritual resilience against hostile forces, which is mirrored in their present-day cultural identity. The myth also discusses the Europeans' arrival, suggesting that Europeans came from the cave worlds according to Hopi stories. This narrative can be interpreted as a mythological explanation for the European explorers' arrival—viewing them as otherworldly beings emerging from the depths. This perspective signifies a spiritual and cultural lens through which the Hopi viewed outsiders, possibly reflecting early interactions and perceptions of Europeans as distant and mystical (Mails, 2008).