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The Manitous - The Supernatural World of the Ojibway (Paperback, HarperPerennial ed) Loot Price: R405
Discovery Miles 4 050
The Manitous - The Supernatural World of the Ojibway (Paperback, HarperPerennial ed): Basil H. Johnston

The Manitous - The Supernatural World of the Ojibway (Paperback, HarperPerennial ed)

Basil H. Johnston

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Loot Price R405 Discovery Miles 4 050

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Through soothing rhythms and repetition, Johnston recreates the ancient storytelling tradition of the Ojibway Indians. The word manitou has usually been translated to mean simply "spirit," but according to Johnston, the term connotes mystery, mysticism, godliness, and the essence of things. Manitous are also the supernatural beings of the Anishinaubae, "the good men and people" of the Ojibway, Ottowa, Pottawatomi, and Algonquin tribes. Johnston here tells the stories of these beings, and his tales are buoyed up with commentary so skillfully interwoven with the narrative that the reader is unconsciously instructed in the history and method behind them. He includes traditional creation and flood myths; the stories of Nana'b'oozoo, the prototypical human being; the origin tales of corn, birch, flint, and tobacco; and much more. These stories are meant not only to answer questions about the world, but to teach valuable life lessons. In the beautiful tale of the spruce tree, a young woman is married off against her will to an old man. At first she is despondent, but after many years she begins to appreciate her husband's goodness and finally to love him. When he dies she keeps a vigil at his grave until she too dies, and from their joint grave grows a tree that rains a light mist, said to be the tears shed by the young wife over her beloved husband. This story teaches respect for elders, the value of kindness, the unpredictable nature of love; others show respect for nature, for animals, and for the wisdom of the elders. In the last story of Nana'b'oozoo, he is seen sadly leaving his people, unremarked and unmourned, a symbol of the Indians' lost heritage. With his writing and storytelling, Johnston hopes to summon Nana'b'oozoo back. An extraordinary glimpse into a rich and meaningful mythology. (Kirkus Reviews)
Manitous are mysteries and spirits - the essences - that infuse and safeguard plants and animals, including humans, in all aspects of life. The tales of the manitous are simple in narration and complex in spirit, rich with incident and detail, and attempt to explain the mysterious ways of the natural world. Here are wily tricksters, timorous tree spirits, wise grandmothers, seductive maidens, and the ever-hungry evil manitous, fearsome giants known as Weendigoes. Here is a half-man, half-manitou legend of Ojibway lore who represents the wonders and shortcomings of all humankind and who becomes a hero by masquerading as one; a powerful warrior who is riled and routed by a younger sibling with a fight for dancing and disguises; a man who seems obsessed with the trivial but learns to understand the spiritual; and The Prophecy - which is told but disbelieved - telling of the changes in the native world to come. By turns comic, erotic, dramatic, and tragic, these engrossing stories - most of which have never before been recorded - provide a window into an ancient culture, and hold great meaning for modern readers.

General

Imprint: HarperNewYork
Country of origin: United States
Release date: October 2002
First published: June 1996
Authors: Basil H. Johnston
Dimensions: 204 x 134 x 23mm (L x W x T)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 224
Edition: HarperPerennial ed
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-092735-6
Categories: Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Cultural studies > General
Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Oral history
Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > General
Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > General
Books > History > History of specific subjects > Oral history
Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > General
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LSN: 0-06-092735-6
Barcode: 9780060927356

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