Seneca Myths and Folk Tales

By Arthur Caswell Parker

Book Overview

Seneca Myths and Folk Tales is a collection of traditional stories and legends from the Seneca people, a Native American tribe from the northeastern United States. The book, compiled by Arthur Caswell Parker, a Seneca anthropologist and historian, includes tales of creation, heroism, and trickery, as well as accounts of historical events and cultural practices. The stories are told in a simple, engaging style and offer insights into the Seneca worldview and way of life. The book also includes an introduction by Parker that provides context for the stories and discusses the importance of preserving Native American cultural traditions. Seneca Myths and Folk Tales is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Native American cultures and folklore, as well as for those studying anthropology, history, or literature.From The Buffalo Historical Society Publications, V27.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1258011425
• ISBN13: 9781258011420
• Release Date: May 2011
• Publisher: Literary Licensing, LLC
• Length: 510 Pages
• Weight: 2.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Detailed, Scholarly Resource for Seneca / Iroquois Folk Tales

I'm part Seneca, so I was thrilled to find this book. Like the other reviewer commented, it has somewhat formal language, so it might not appeal to someone casually looking for Native American folk tales. However, for someone specifically interested in Seneca folk tales, this is a detailed, scholarly book, with pictures, illustrations, a lengthy appendix and index. My favorite story is "Origin of the Chestnut Tree" featuring Dadjedondji, who remarks about obstacles on his journey: "All these things are strange. They are not right, neither are they according with the ways I know about, and, therefore, I can conquer all these obstacles." Words to live by!

Important, original work...

This is something of keynote work in traditional Seneca stories. The author -- Arthur C. Parker -- was a Seneca author from New York State who became a well-known ehtnologist, and contributed a great deal based on his first-hand perspective of his own People. (He was the nephew of Ely S. Parker, Seneca Sachem and Union Aide to Ulysses S Grant). The language, indicative of scholarship of the time, can be somewhat stiff and formalized, but the Stories and their relevance are critically important.