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Deprecated: header(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($response_code) of type int is deprecated in /home/umwhisto/public_html/mcclurken/wiki/includes/WebResponse.php on line 38 https://mcclurken.umwhistory.org/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=72.86.45.27McClurken Wiki - User contributions [en]2026-09-18T23:12:41ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.22.0https://mcclurken.umwhistory.org/wiki/index.php?title=HIST_131--Week_2_Questions/CommentsHIST 131--Week 2 Questions/Comments2008-01-25T06:52:18Z<p>72.86.45.27: </p>
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<div>I've started to organize the comments a little bit. Look over the structure and add your comments in the appropriate place -- Dr. M <br />
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== Comparing Documents ==<br />
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The first thing I noticed was the contrast in Columbus' journal to Bernal Diaz's. The main one being the civilizations. Columbus was further east, however these tribes had poor weapons, and were so "ignorant" as to cut themselves on a sword. However, with Diaz's experience, he describes a rich culture, one with classes, a monarch, ornamentation etc... as well as weapons that he described as, in a way, better than their own. The writings were only technically separated by twenty two years. What accounted for such differences? was it the separation in the islands that led to no one, huge sophisticated tribe? Was there a difference in *resources that led them to live such vastly different lives that were relatively close in time span? *(ie gold, Columbus notes they only had small piercings where as Diaz describes weapons ornamented with precious stones and gold, Montezuma feasts on a variety of food, however Columbus observes fairly little food outside of trading). '''(Include name please--Dr. M)'''<br />
The next is that nearly all of the recounting of the Indians first seeing Europeans denotes their impression they're from the heavens or some form of a "supreme" being. I'm not saying the Indians subjected themselves to European oppression because Europeans were obviously already looking to explore and expand; but did these mistaken beliefs lead the Europeans to think that the land was theirs, more so than usual due to their almost god-like treatment by the Indians? '''(Include name please--Dr. M)'''<br />
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In the document, The King of the Congo writes to the King of Portugal portrays the Portuguese and Congolese relationship as fruitful and prosperous, soon after the Portuguese exploit Congo for all that it is worth, like a parasite. This common theme of European greed can also be seen in Bernal Diaz's accounts of his journey to Mexico with Hernando Cortes. The Spanish have a fruitful relationship with the Mexica (Aztecs) soon after the Spanish like the Portuguese exploit the Aztecs for their gold and wealth. In relation to Julius Caesar's famous quote, "Veni, Vidi, Vici." The Spanish came, they saw, they conquered! The Europeans had an agenda in the New World, gold! Besides the obvious agenda of gold and wealth, what was the reasoning behind the Europeans to convert the Natives? Historically they were either enslaved, driven from their homelands or murdered because of their resistance, so why waste their efforts to convert them?--Nick Scott--<br />
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I would like to comment/add to the above comment from the unknown poster (for the time being) about the indigenous natives of America and their treatment of Europeans as god-like beings: If I remember correctly, according to the Aztec religion one of their Gods was suppose to return around the time when the Spanish arrived and Montezuma presumed Cortes was that God. That is why he said "...you have come to sit on your seat of authority." You can google Montezuma or find books in the library specifically about this topic. As for the other indigenous natives of America, I can only assume that they percieved the Europeans to be far more advanced than their own culture; specifically the iron armor, weaponry, and their ships, which they thought were floating islands.--Nick Scott--<br />
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It seemed to me that all of the different Native American tribes had a prophecy/dream/etc. that the whites were coming almost directly before they came. Did traders perchance warn or tell certain people within the tribes that the whites were coming? Was the word spread through the wanderers and traders who had seen them, and their accounts were never recorded within the tribal history? Did people see them on their wanderings away from the community, then come back and pretend to have a dream that they were coming? Or was it just coincidence? - Alex Zelin<br />
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In comparison in the Johnson to the Calloway reading, the Calloway reading suggests that the Europeans were always peacefully welcomed to the new world and the Native Americans were naturally peaceful people. Whereas, Johnson suggests that the Native Americans were savage and seemed to attack the Europeans when all they wanted to do was make peace with the Natives. Who has the more accurate account of what really happened? Whose view should we trust? – Renee Rosser<br />
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To comment off of Renee Roser, I thought it was interesting how in both of Calloways first two articles the Native Americans see the Europeans as threatening. The only diffence is that in the first article they greet him with peace and receive instructions and teachings and in the second article they are excited to greet him, but receive useful "presents" such as axes, hoes, etc. Doeas this show the importance of different gifts to differenet Native Americans?- Taylor Warner<br />
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In the Johnson reading, majority of Indians seemed to be protrayed as naive people and europeans as intelligent people...at least more intelligent than Indians. Also, it shows that in some of the accounts that some Europeans are innocent and thought somewhat highly of Indians until they felt they were going to be harmed and justified their action of killing off Indians as self-defense but in some accounts you can clearly see that they wiped out tribes out of greed but couldn't it be true that in the minds of some Europeans, they were really just defending themselves instead of going after the Indians' gold and to use them in the slave trade? (because they did say that they tried to get along but the Indians retaliated against them.) And when they defended themselves they just happen to take their gold and use them in the slave trade since being wealthy at this time was very important?...or not?.. ---EuN Yi---<br />
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In the 1492 acccount, Columbus describes the Indians and says "I believe that they would become Christiams very easily, for it seemed to me that they had no religion." In many of the stories, it is said that the Indians believed the Europeans were sent from the heavens, if there was no religion, then why would they think they were from heaven? I also always thought that Native American Indians were polytheistic, but in the 1854 July 4 Speech, a Great Creator or Spirit is mentioned. Lauren Hicks<br />
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The differences of story in the writings of Juan Troyano and the Mexicans are very interesting. The Spaniards blame the Indians for giving them no choice but to attack while the Mexicans describe the Spaniards as a hostile army preparing for battle. After reading both, I tend to trust the Mexican accounts more so then the Spaniards. Is this the same view historians take on today? -Emily King<br />
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By 1560, it was apparent that the Spaniards were on there way to controlling most of the world. What did they start doing differently that contributed to them losing power so quickly.- Bryan Quintana<br />
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After reading Josiah Quinney's speech you really see how unfair the Indians were treated when the explorers came and took over their lands. Quinney talks about how his people fought wars for other races where they had no business being in the fight and after all this they were still removed from their lands and forced to relocate.- Bryan Quintana<br />
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Josiah Jeremy's, "The Floting Island" and John Heckewelder's "The Arrival of the Dutch" have very similar accounts of how the natives encountered the Europeans. First of all, It seems that there is a priest who is a key figure in being one of the first to come to shore. they are the ones who give the natives presents and show signs of peace. I find it ironic that there seems to always be a show of peace and friendship toward the natives, then fighting breaks out. I think the natives of Manhattan got their first look at how crafty the Europeans were when they pulled that trick with the bull hide, cutting it up so they could get more land.-Kristina Scrimshaw<br />
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== Robert Cole's Inventory ==<br />
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In "Inventory", I found it interesting that all of the inventory was measured in pounds of tobacco. I know that tobacco was used a lot by the settlers, but I would have thought that within a community, as it was from one base country, that they would continue to use the same currency that their European "home" country used. As most of the communities near each other had the same "home" country, wouldn't it have made more sense to continue to use the same type of currency that they used? Granted, there are no banks and such in the New World, however, didn't most of the settlers come with money, and were given money by the government? - Alex Zelin<br />
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In Document 3-3 (A Yeoman Planter's Tobacco Farm) many of the lines end in how many pounds of tobacco each item was worth. Why was it always compared this way? I gathered from the introduction to the account that there was a hidden meaning but is this it? What did tobacco have to do with all of these items? What is the connection? -Jenna Shevlin<br />
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I thought the way that they measured everything in tobacco was interesting. It certainly did bring it home to me exactly how important tobacco was to the colonists of the New World. I don't exactly know why they listed everything in tobacco measurements, yet I think it is because tobacco is such a big crop--it's ''the'' crop and the colonists were able to trade or barter with it: for example, one butter tub could be traded for twenty-five pounds of tobacco. Is it possible that the colonists used tobacco not only to trade/barter with the Indians, but also with each other when money was scarce? - Meganne Lemon<br />
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I also thought that the way that everything was measured in tobacco. I think that this really shows the importance that tobacco played into the economy at that time. With tobacco being the main source of money from the southern colonies it makes sense that everything else was measured against it. -Virginia Stratton<br />
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Yes, the tobacco measurements is very interesting. I thought about this for a while, and wondered if our society has any similar "crop," and oil came to mind. Whether we think about it or not, nearly everything we do can be measured by say barrels of oil. How much oil is burned in factories that make/gather all of our food, our entertainment... Maybe I'm thinking a little too outside the box, but at the current oil price spikes, is it too farfetched to think oil could be used in everyday monetary comparisons? -Matt Pulley<br />
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== letters from King Afonso to King Joao III ==<br />
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In the letters from King Afonso to King Joao III, Afonso continually addresses Joao’s obligation to the Congo based on faith. Why is that such a strong obligation in Afonso’s eyes? And because throughout the letters Afonso is asking for the same things over and over again, can we assume that these wishes aren’t granted? Maybe these wishes aren’t granted because faith is not a strong negotiation point in politics even in the 1500s even. –Rory Reese<br />
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I was also a little curious as to why there weren't any letters from King Joao III in response to Afonso. Did he receive any letters that just weren't included in the book, or did he not respond to Afonsos's pleas at all? If he did, was he agreeing or disagreeing with Afonso? - Jessie Bright<br />
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In the document from King Alfonso to King Joao III, King Alfonso always ends with the line "I kiss your hand many times" or something to that affect. Why is this? I'm assuming it's a sign of respect but how did it come about? Was it only with King Joao or was it common for all letters to kings? -Jenna Shevlin<br />
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The Letter to King Joao III from King Afonso 1526, There is a paragraph where Afonso asks Joao not to send more ships, because these people are capable of being schooled and could use priests. He also says "this kingdom be neither a place of trade nor a place of transit for slaves." Which isn't likely to happen at this point. Afonso addresses Joao with your highness and is humbling himself throughout the letter, even though he is a king himself. Is the language of this letter because Afonso is aware of what European countries are known to do or did Joao have a higher stature than Afonso? Lauren Hicks<br />
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In both letters from King Afonso to King Joao I thought it was interesting how King Afonso never seems satified with the efforts from King Joao. Why is he so dependent on Joao and not want to become independent? Is this because of their faithful relationship and trade alliance?- Taylor Warner<br />
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I think it is interesting that Afonso's manner in his letter writing is so polite even though he is basically acknowledging the fact that his kingdom is slipping away with the arrival of the Portugese. Is he being so polite because it is merely his manner or is it that he is trying very hard to make his case to Joao and thinks that being polite and almost, subservient will help his case? Or perhaps I am reading this in the 21st century light where this extremely polite letter makes me suspicious.<br />
--Melissa Brokaw<br />
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After reading King Alfonso's letters to King Joao, I immediately wondered where King Joao's letters of response were, if there were any, and what their content was. King Alfonso's three letters are all written in a very short time span of less than 4 months, and because some of the requests made are repeated in each letter(the request to rid the kingdom of merchants) I wonder if there was any response from King Joao at all. <br />
--Helen Dinndorf<br />
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I think King Alfonso's letters to King Joao were very interesting. His letters have such a humble tone and beg King Joao continuously for support in both trade and disciplinary actions. I always thought that native peoples and kings despised European intrusion on their lands and economy. However, King Alfonso has become very dependent on it and constantly seeks King Joao's help. Why is King Alfonso so dependent on King Joao? His country has thrived for a long time without the Portuguese influence, why does he suddenly need their help so much now? -Iris Onks<br />
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In King Alfonso's letters, he is constantly pleading to the King of Portugal to keep his filthy merchants out of their country and to keep them from kidnapping anymore people and selling guns. I know that this king was a Christian, but why did he not just take charge of his own country?-Kristina Scrimshaw<br />
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In a way, I felt bad for Kind Alfonso his letters. He seems to always remark about the fact that he has been told to ask for the things he needs, and it will be provided for him by King Joao probably to remind King Joao that a deal has been made that he is responsible of honoring. King Alfonso references several times that he must maintain the order of things that was created by King Joao's father, the previous King. I assume the arrangements of the relations between the two kingdoms was founded by the previous Kings of these Kingdoms and now the present, Alfonso and Joao, are trying to maintain order. In a way, I just felt the desperation from King Alfonso. He speaks as though he is subordinate of King Joao, this may be because of his realization that his kingdom is in dire need of his help and all of the efforts of King Alfonso have failed. His people are being taken away for slaves, others are quickly dying of disease, and he is in need of many things to keep the kingdom functioning, such as priests, teachers, doctors, etc. He could not stop the Portuguese in any way, not what they trade, not the people they took as slaves, and as he watched them corrupt his kingdom, he had to turn around and beg for help from the King whose men were causing the damage. I think it would be interesting to have read the letters from King Joao to see his take and the manner he spoke to King Alfonso. Is there any record of his responses or his general outlook on the situation? --Christen Booher<br />
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== Juan Troyano’s account of the Coronado expedition ==<br />
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In Juan Troyano’s account of the Coronado expedition, he described a situation where the Spaniards offered peace, but the Indians refused it and revolted. The Spaniards then retaliated and killed many of them. While in Florentine Codex’s account of the conquest of Mexico, written around the same time period, he writes of the Spaniards who readied themselves for war while the Indians offered peace, but the natives were killed off anyways. My question is, when there are two sides to every story, like the conquest of Mexico, how do historians compensate for both perspectives? Or how do they decipher a coherent story for example to put in a history book? –Rory Reese<br />
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== Pareja to instruct Spanish Missionaries ==<br />
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In the questions Pareja to instruct Spanish Missionaries about the sins of Florida's Timucuan Indian he emphasizes the fact that women should not being eating fish during menses and also during different times? What is the big deal with fish? The other animals that he mentions are very lowly and dirty, where as with the certain religioins fish are esteemed animals. -Dani Jones<br />
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It is obvious that Pareja spent enough time (18 years) with the Timucuan Indians to observe and learn their customs but was bias ever a question to the missionaries? In other words, why did he have so much authority on governing this culture just because he was a priest? Also, is there basis in the bible to suggest that ALL of these customs are sinful? -Laura Peters<br />
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I found it interesting that the questions under "For Single and Married Men" and "For Married and Single Women" include questions that would be considered sinful if the person was single but not necessarily sinful if they were married. It made me wonder why he did not separate questions for married and single people? -- Katie Mauro<br />
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I was wondering what commandment Pareja was referring to in "on the 6th commandment". It sounds like it would make more sense if the 6th was "thou shalt not commit adultery" and not "thou shalt not kill". -- Katie Mauro<br />
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In Pareja's section about women he asks "Having given birth recently, have you considered eating these things as sinful?" What is his meaning behind this? Is this still about the fish being sinful? The other things he references are things like charcoal, dirt, pottery, fleas and lice. I would not consider fish among these things to be sinful or dirty. -Virginia Stratton<br />
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== Florentine Codex account (Accounts from the Mexican/Aztec people)==<br />
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In the Florentine Codex account, I found it interesting and ironic how the Europeans attacked the tribe during their celebration of the feast of Hiitzilopochtli ("the god of war and the chief god in the Mexican pantheon"). Also, in the inventory when they valued Cole's possession in tobacco punds, couldn't it be because during this time tobacco was the colonies main crop/a big part of their economy? ---Eun Yi---<br />
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In this account, I found it interesting what the Indians thought of the Spaniards. Actually, I just found it interesting to hear a Native American's account during the conquest instead of the Spaniard's account. It seemed that there were several views of what the Indians thought of the Spaniards. At first, the Spaniards seemed other-worldly or like something from a dream. Then the Spaniards turned into monsters and the Indians had to retaliate to protect themselves. I know that history is always told by the winners, a lesson that is established and reaffirmed every time there is a conflict, yet why do textbook writers not include a glimpse of the "losers," such as the Indians? Since the Indians are as much a part of American history as, say, the Revolutionary War is, then why do we never hear about how they responded to the threats of being taken hostage or conquered during the Age of Exploration? Do writers or historians assume that since there isn't a lot of physical evidence or artifacts to justify or further explain what the Indians thought or saw, it isn't worth talking about? - Meganne Lemon<br />
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== Columbus's Account ==<br />
In the diary of Christopher Columbus, Columbus assumes that the Indians believe the discoverers are from heaven. In past history classes, I have heard that the Indians never really believed the Europeans were gods. (I cannot remember if this was only a specific group). If so, did Columbus make this false assumption or was it the fault of the priest that transcribed the original diary? -Emily King<br />
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I know this question was addressed in class but im still a little curious. If we only celebrate two people in national holidays, isn't it a little ironic that one is a man who preached for the ending of slavery, and the other is a man who was one of the main reasons it started in the first place? If it is common knowledge now who the real Columbus was, and that he wasn't the discoverer of America, nor was he the kind of man most Americans would enjoy celebrating, then why exactly do we still have a holiday to think about how great he was? Aren't there other more important people that could take his place? - Jessie Bright<br />
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In response to Jessie Bright's question about why we still celebrate Columbus Day:<br />
As confusing as it may sound, I do not believe that the term "Columbus Day" is meant to be taken as literally as most people perceive it to be. I think the broader meaning of Columbus Day is meant to commemorate more so the many positive effects and aftermath of Columbus' great voyage to the West; which would encompass mainly the fact that Columbus' expedition prompted the European’s interest in the “New World.” An effective understanding of this European interest would then lead us to ponder about the significance it had on their culture from there on out and thus how it ultimately affected us Americans today. Therefore, we are not celebrating the man Columbus himself, but rather his famous quest to the West that consequently lead to a new historical age. <br />
~Megan Tisdelle~<br />
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Also, I was doing some research and found that other countries actually celebrate Columbus Day as well…except they all call it something totally different, which ties into my last point I made about how we commemorate the constructive effects of Columbus’ voyage instead of Columbus himself or the negative effects. For example, many countries in Latin America celebrate “Dia de la Raza” (Day of the Race); in Costa Rica “Dia de las Culturas” (Day of the Cultures); in Spain “Dia de la Hispanidad,” etc… As you can see, they are all observing the same event, and by the definitions of the holiday titles you can see that they are actually a celebration of new culture and race (which is obviously something important to them and therefore worth celebrating). <br />
~Megan Tisdelle~<br />
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Megan brings about some interesting points. I remember in AP World History in high school learning about the interactions between Chinese and Japanese cultures, and specifically about a Japenese invasion of the Chinese that was comprised of conquering, gruesome murders, and mass rapings. The Japanese today will not admit that the event happened, but obviously the Chinese wouldn't forget something like that. I know my details are a little vague... But, we can see the same effects in our history books. As adults, we know of what happened in Christopher's time, but it's not something we're proud of as Americans, and wouldn't easily converse about to say... a foreigner. However, we can reserve the little slice of anything good that came from Columbus (like... us for example) and give it to our innocent chilhood, and create a day that we can celebrate. I guess. -Matt Pulley<br />
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Emily commented that those journal accounts may not be accurate. I am curious about this too. And if the several references in the accounts published in the Johnson Reader are accurate, I am wondering what would have inspired this sort of assumption? We are aware of several Native American creation stories at this point and none would seem to suggest that Columbus had any qualities those people might look for in deities. -Adam Shlossman<br />
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In reading Columbus' account, I disliked the fact that he portrayed the Indians as marveling and being so happy and willing to trade for things he considered almost invaluable (broken cups, pieces of bowls, beads, etc.). I realize the Indians probably did delight in anything and everything they were given, but he speaks of this admiration as marking their insubordinance and ignorance. He said they took pleasure in all they gave them and 'became so much our friends that it was marvel'. Throughout his accounts remarks how niave they were, how easily they could become Christian, ignorant, and that he feels they could make great servants. The only additional thing he spoke of was his hunt for gold. Its possible additional details were removed in the creation of the priest's manuscript, or just aren't present in this account, but it surprises me the redundancy of his accounts, the same interactions and descriptions of the natives or his plight for gold. If I were in his place, I would be in awe of this land(which is barely mentioned) and of these people we were discovering, but I guess these things were deemed trivial to him especially in comparison to finding gold. But then again, that is still the world we live in today, it all revolves around money, I guess some things never change. --Christen Booher<br />
== Bernal Diaz del Castillo ==<br />
I found the description of the great Montezuma in this account quite interesting. I know in many European countries it was not common to bath everyday, even among the nobility. However, I noticed that it stated that Montzuma did in fact bath everyday, and I was curious if this was a common practice for rulers of the Native American villages? Also in this account, the wonderful gardens of Montezuma were mentioned. I was curious if the herbs and medicinal plants that grew there were shared with others in the villages, or if Montezuma reserved these herbs and medicinal plants solely for himself? Quincey Garcia<br />
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Are the Native Americans of Mexico, referred to in the passage, the Mayans? Also, why do the Indians perform canibalism at their ceremonial banquets? Did they practice canibalism normally or was it only a part of the sacraficing ritual? -Ally Campo<br />
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== Waterhouse's Declaration ==<br />
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When the colonists first arrived in Jamestown, they had problems with Chief Powhatan and the Indians in the area. However, after the whole mock-killing thing with Captain John Smith and Pocahontas saving him-which represented Powhatan accepting the white colonists into his tribe (all this is summarized in Roark), the Indians and the whites were on good terms with each other. In fact, the colonists at first depended on the Indians for food and survival. I can understand that when Powhatan's brother (who will be referred to as Ope because I don't want to type out the long name) assumed the position as Chief when Powhatan died, the colonists were and felt betrayed when Ope led an uprising and attack against them. But were the colonists really right to feel as betrayed as they did? The colonists were taking advantage of the Indians' hospitality and I can't recall the colonists ever doing anything in return for them. Certainly the colonists had to have known that when the power changed hands after Powhatan's death, the way things were done had to change--the colonists couldn't have been that naive, right? - Meganne Lemon<br />
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When Waterhouse is justifying why the destruction of the Indians is good for the Plantation, his third reason is because the Colonists will fully be able to enjoy the "luxuries" that the Indians enjoy. He then continues by saying, "The Deere and other beasts will be in safety....but by each particular Indian were destroied at all times of the yeare..." (page 37). He makes this seem like the Indians killed these animals senselessly and in mass amounts. Was he really so naive and ignorant of the customs of Indians to not know that Indians used every part of each animal they killed? -Laura Peters<br />
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== Calloway Readings ==<br />
It is interesting that in the Calloway reading that there are three different accounts of the Europeans coming to the Americas. Each tribe perceived the whites as something different. The first account a young woman sees a “floating island” coming to them and when the whites arrive they are received peacefully. The second account the boat is first spotted off in the distance and it was first perceived as a threat and warriors from other tribes were summoned fight, but then the Natives think that the whites are the great Mannitto and warmly receive him and celebrate his coming. In the third account there is a prophecy told of the white people coming and when they arrive they are treated well because the Natives believe that the whites are sick because their skin is so pale compared to themselves. In all of these cases, the Native Americans worry about the “strange people” coming, but in the end, the white are peacefully received. – Renee Rosser<br />
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In the Calloway reader, the last one we read was by Josiah Quinney. He points out that the terrible story of how the Natives suffered is not in students books in school. Even now, it is only in the later years of education, or even in college that the story is really told. I tutor a 4th grader and recently he and I were working on the settlement of Jamestown, no where did his book really even touch upon the atrocities committed by whites on Native Americans, and this is over 150 years after Quinney gave his speech. --Melissa Brokaw<br />
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I found the written responses to the Indians first encounter with the Europeans fascinating. There is a theory (although I have forgotten the name of it) that deals with quantum physics and the universe and how there are so many things that exist and we can’t see them solely because our brain can't process that they are actually there. A common example was apparently when Columbus arrived the Native Americans couldn’t see the ships because in their brains they had no concept of what a ship was or knowledge of it. However, the Indians could see the ripples in the water, and after several days they could finally see the ships because their brains had to adjust and be able to fully absorb the actual idea of a ship. I’m not sure how credible this theory is but I thought I would throw it out there for discussion. ---Lindsay Bothwell<br />
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I would like to respond to Nick Scott’s comment first. I don’t believe that Montezuma or any of the other natives pretended to know when their god was supposed to return. I think it was just a sort of prophecy put forth by the Aztecs that ‘one day’ their gods would come back to rule. Montezuma says “If only one of them [previous rulers] could see and behold what has now happened in my time,” and I take this to mean that he did not know the gods would come back in his lifetime. –Mary Johnston<br />
I also want to try and answer the first ‘unknown poster’s’ question. I think s/he makes an interesting point about the possibility that the Europeans thought they had a right to the land because the natives treated them like gods. I definitely agree that this could have been a contributing factor to the Europeans taking advantage of the natives, but I also believe that if they hadn’t been treated like gods they probably would have tried to exploit the people anyway. –Mary Johnston<br />
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In John Heckewelder's recorded account of the first meeting of the Dutch and the Native Americans as told by the Delawares and Mahicans, there was reference made several times to a red-clothed man. The account says the Indians believed him to be the Mannitto or Supreme being, and were curious as to why his skin was white. Later in the text the Indians seem to regard every white man as a sort of sudo-Mannitto, still inferior to the supreme Mannitto. Was this red-clothed man merely the captain of the ship, or was he infact a priest of someone of even greater significance?<br />
-Helen Dinndorf<br />
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In the Josiah Jeremy Reading of the girl who dreamed of the floating island, it states that, "the necromancers, were displeased, they did not like it that the coming of these foreigners should been intimated to this young girl, and not to them," (page 34). Had their magic never been questioned before? -Laura Peters<br />
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I found it interesting that in all three accounts the Native Americans were happy with the Europeans' arrival and accepted them right away. This shows how peaceful the Native Americans were. I also found it interesting that all three accounts interpreted the Europeans differently. In one, they thought Europeans were gods, in another that they were sick, and in the third that they were simply men with paler skin. This shows how the Native Americans tried to make sense of people and things that were so foreign to them. -Iris Onks<br />
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The Calloway reader made repeated comments about the Native Americans' overall fascination with these foreigners in general and the seemingly petty possessions they brought with them on their journey over, even naming several important territories after European trade goods. I had to wonder - were the native people at the time completely unaware of any peoples/cultures/continents' existence outside of their own? I found this hard to believe, especially considering the tangible evidence I have previously been presented of foreigners constantly making this intercontinental journey throughout the preceding centuries. What was the extent of the Native American world view in the early 1500's?<br />
-Adam Shlossman<br />
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I thought it was interesting that in "The Arrival of the Dutch", the Native Americans believed that the man that "wore the red clothes" was perceived to be "the great Mannitto (Supreme Being). -- Katie Mauro<br />
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In the floating island story, the woman has a dream about an island with tall tress and living beings dressed in rabbit-skin and then the next day a ship arrived with trees and people (who looked like bears). I know dreams played an important role in Native American beliefs, but they weren't psychic. Plus, her dream wasn't a clear interpretation of what happened that day. --Megan Malecha<br />
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In Calloway, the Powhatan speech to Captain John Smith shows a side of the Indians you don't always see. In every story I've heard it's always the settlers killing the Natives or taking advantage of them and stealing their land. In the introduction to this speech we learn that not only did the settlers rely on the Indians for food, but one chief threatened to take away their food supply if they started a war. --Meg Malecha<br />
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In the Josiah Jeremy theory of "The Floating Island", I thought that it was interesting it was a young woman who foretold of the account that would occur between the Native Americans and the Europeans. I found it a little peculiar that it was a young woman who dreamt the account due to the lack of respect and power that most women had in the Native American socities. The unpleasant reaction by the necromancers was not shocking because they felt that due to their status, a dream of such importance should have come through them, those with "power of their magic." This theory was quite interesting and had such a positive, peaceful interpretation of the interaction with the Europeans and Native Americans. Quincey Garcia<br />
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I think the portion of the reading relating to the Congo was particularly relevant to situations of today. It was interesting to see the inception of imperial rule in this area, and ensuing consequences, when in fact the nation is still dealing with the consequences of its imperial rule. King Afonso talks about how the Portuguese simply use the Congo for their own means, mainly resources. This is still going on in the Congo, mainly with the desire for diamonds. It was very interesting to see the origins of the situation manifesting itself in the letters by the King. ~Kristen Lonsdorf<br />
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I have some trouble with the introduction to Bernal Diaz del Castillo’s account. The intro in Johnson says that Castillo was angered by the false reports of the Conquest that he had been reading, and so decided to write his own, truthful, account. However, Castillo’s account is littered with extravagance and hyperbole. For example, he writes, “As for the horrible noise when the lions and tigers roared, and the jackals and foxes howled, and the serpents hissed, it was so appalling that one seemed to be in hell” (22). While I am sure all of these new creatures and their noises were overwhelming, the extent to which Castillo describes everything actually makes me question his supposed sincerity. ~Kristen Lonsdorf<br />
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Powhatan's "Speech to Captain John Smith" leaves me with multiple questions. I'm confused of who recorded it, was it John Smith? Also, how is it that the speech has suddenly become translated into english? Within the 2 years the colonists have been at Jamestown, there doesn't seem to be a the Indians could have become so fluent in a foreign speech. Especially knowing that by 1609 the population was so low that the exposure to the english language was extremely limited. How were the Indians and colonists able to communitcate so well if their languages differed so dramatically? -Ally Campo<br />
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On page 37, it says "The universal name the Monseys have for New York, is "laaphawachking"... They say this name was given in consequence of beads being here distributed among them by the Europeans." Does this imply that before the Europeans came, the Natives are believed not to have had names for places?? That seems mighty ridiculous to me. Maybe someone could clear that up for me? <br />
-Jessica Lawrie<br />
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Also, I found it very ironic that in Powhattan's speech to John Smith he is asking what can be gained by war that cannot be gained by love. <br />
This is ironic because one of the justifications of taking over the natives was that they were a savage warring people. How funny that Powhattan would be the one explaining how useless war is. I assume this was not published until much later? After most of the natives had been killed??? -Jessica Lawrie<br />
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In reading Johnson you find out that when the Europeans came to eh Kingdom of Congo they brought and started trading guns to the natives. Is this the event that has lead to the mass genocides and "terrorism" in the Congos. You see movies of the Congos with guns, killing, and terrorism around every corner and in my mind i can see the Europeans coming and trading guns as the event that lead to some of all this. In the letter from King Afonso to King Joao III, you see Afonso very distressed and sensing the change that this trading of firearms and other goods has brought to his Kingdom, and look where they are now. - Landon James<br />
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If Columbus said he believed "they (Indians) were a people who would be better freed [from error] and converted to our Holy Faith by love NOT by force" then why was their oppression in the first place? I know we talked about hwo he pretty much had permission to opress and enslave whomever he so pleased, but was their no sense of personal morality, a sense for what's right and what's wrong? For Columbus to write this then go and oppress them makes me ashamed. - Landon James<br />
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Columbus seemed really intent on changing the Native Americans and converting them to Christianity. What did he have to gain by this? - Jake Guralnik<br />
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Columbus discovered the New World, NOT the Indies. Spain and the Queen and King had invested money into finding the Indies and spices and immediate payback funds for their investment in Columbus. However, when Columbus did not discover the Indies, or at least a route to them, was Isabella not just a little bit disappointed or upset that her funds did not go towards their original goal. Nowe it may seem like this question is stupid, for Columbus found what might be better than a spice route to the Indies; a new continent and the opportunity to settle. Yet, if I was Isabella I would have liked to see that route to India. Is there any indication that Isabella was disappointed? - Jake Guralnik</div>72.86.45.27https://mcclurken.umwhistory.org/wiki/index.php?title=HIST_131--Week_1_Questions/CommentsHIST 131--Week 1 Questions/Comments2008-01-18T07:51:40Z<p>72.86.45.27: </p>
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<div>I had read before that the concept of heaven and hell did not exist for Native Americans prior to European colonization. They believed in an after life but not one in which good and evil were separated. If this is the case then it is interesting that in the Johnson reader the Seneca Creation story "The Women who Fell From the Sky" refers to a place called "heaven." Although it states that it is now called heaven, and this was not recorded until after 1887, it is still evident that the European or Christian concept of heaven and hell had permeated Native American society. <br />
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Additionally, it is clear that the Seneca origin narrative in the Johnson reader and the Iroquois Creation Story in the Calloway reader, are inherently the same story. Not only are there similarities, but the Seneca were once part of the Iroquois Nation, so it makes sense that they would have very similar stories. However, there are differences, such as how the twins' mother got pregnant, and the twins names. Is this because of the time in between the two recordings(1816 and 1887), or is there some other reason? <br />
--Melissa Brokaw<br />
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While reading Roark i learned that scholars have been in heated debates over the population of Native Americans in North America during the time of European colonization. Some say that the population is over 18 million and some say it was no more than one million. I was curious as to why the estimates are so varied, what evidence do scholars have to support their theories? Also, why did the textbook settle on a population of four million? - Jessamyn Bright<br />
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I was interested also in the remark Roark made about the life expectancy of some Native American tribes. He mentioned that for some it was no more than 18 years old. The text didn't elaborate on this, but i was curious as to how this may have affected those tribes with their lives being so short. - Jessamyn Bright<br />
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I feel that the oppression of the Native Americans of North America is one the most shameful acts of this nation's history. In fact, I feel that this oppression was more severe and brutal than most of the African American oppressions. I am not condoning slavery or African American racism and oppression by any means; however, we destroyed an entire culture that was 1,000s of years old and stole land that we had no right to. I was wondering if anyone else wandered why this severe oppression is not focused on more. Native Americans and descendants are still placed on reservations and seen as outcasts in many of today’s societies. Are there any new steps being taken to help give back part of the life we stole from the Native Americans? –Landon James<br />
Are there any aspects (major or minor) that American society and culture has adopted from the Native Americans? – Landon James<br />
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Are there any Native American radical groups in today’s society? Perhaps fighting for more rights? –Landon James<br />
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"The Woman Who Fell from the Sky", in "Reading the American Past", I was very quickly reminded of Cain and Abel. The vast differences between the two is comparable to the differences between Othagwenda and Djuskaha, up until the point of the murder of the brother. In "The Woman Who Fell from the Sky", the "evil" brother is killed, whereas in Cain and Abel, evil prevailed. - A. Zelin<br />
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I find it ironic that within only about 70 years, the story of creation as told by the Iroquois can change so drastically. In Norton's retold version, the Great Spirit's daughter was thrown from the "country above the sky", she was ordered to create land for herself, and the evil twin was beloved by the Great Spirit's daughter. However, in Curtin's version, the daughter was kicked from the sky by a man protective over his only source of fruit. The animals of the Earth helped her to survive and took care of her on their own good will, and the "evil" twin was the one expelled and constantly watched by the brother and Grandmother while growing up. - A. Zelin<br />
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The contrast between "The Woman Who Fell from the Sky" and the "Irquois Creation Story" is very similar. On one hand, the stories are similar in that they start out in the empire in the sky, the daughter of the Great Spirit had a daughter, and how the daughter of the woman had twins. The significance of the twins is that one is good and the other evil, yet in the story of "The Woman Who Falls from the Sky" the "evil" brother seemed to be made evil because his grandmother put him in a tree for the begining of his life. Was he just so evil that the grandmother could sense it, or was he made evil by his environment; by not having a loving family to care for him? It is kind of like the frequintly asked question today of whether man is born "bad" or if it is his environment that turns him that way.-Kristina Scrimshaw<br />
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I also spotted a few significant features in both the stories: how there was a great tree in the sky and how the Earth is believed to have been created on a turtles back. Would the great tree in the sky be the same as the Genesis tree of life or the tree of knowledge of good and evil?-Kristina Scrimshaw<br />
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In the Seneca story of creation there is no mention of a connection between man and women while it was important to the Genesis and “The Politics” documents. In Genesis, woman is made as a companion for man and in “The Politics” unions are important for reproducing and status. In the 1887 version of the Seneca story, a father to the twins isn’t even mentioned. Does this show a lack of importance of a man and woman uniting in this culture or a status that is just not as treasured as in Christianity and the politics of early Greeks? –Rory Reese<br />
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In “The Politics,” when explaining the “primary and simplest elements of the household,” the first connection mentioned was between master and slave, followed by husband and wife, and parents and children.(8) Is because master and slave are mentioned before husband and wife give the slave more status in the home than the wife? Or does it just level a wife with the stature of a slave? –Rory Reese<br />
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I found it interesting that in the Seneca narrative of "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky" and in the Iroquois Creation Story, woman was the first human to put on the Earth, whereas, in Genesis man was the first human to be put on Earth, and then women was made from him. Could this have shown the differences in cultures and who was considered to have more divinity - man or woman? – Renee Rosser<br />
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All three creation stories involve a tree as a main part of the story. In the Seneca and Iroquois creation stories this is how the woman first gets to Earth from heaven, and in Genesis this is how Adam and Eve learn of good and evil, by eating the fruit from the tree. Is there some significance as to why trees were included in all three creation stories or is it just a coincidence? - Renee Rosser<br />
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In reply to Renee's thought about a tree being present in both stories, I think there is a true significance. A dominate belief in the Native American culture is the presence of mother earth and in their stories her "authority" is represented by the tree. I think Christianity has some similar beliefs that all things are alive and the tree is a perfect example of growth, whether it be physical growth, spiritual growth, or growth by maturity. So a simple answer to her question, in my opinion, is that the presence of a tree in all 3 stories is not a coincidence. -Ally Campo<br />
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I know this may sound like a silly question, but I've never understood why God created the earth. Discussion question 1 for the Genesis reading asks "How and why did God create the earth?", but I actually don't know. In Sunday school churches always teach about the creation though they do not provide a definate reason why. Did God create the earth just for "kicks"? Are there other scriptures that give a definate answer? -Ally Campo <br />
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In the Iroquois story why would the evil twin enjoy the favour of his grandmother? Shouldn't it be the other way around, or is this supposed to show us our susceptible to evil but that it is a momentary state and that good will reign over, which is showed through the good brother having the support of the creater? -Dani Jones<br />
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Why is the origin of the Creek Confederacy so much different from the other two? The Creek start out with the Kasihtas being spit out basically and the Iroquois and Seneca are dropped down from heaven in a sense, and the rest of the Creek story just seems to differ drastically. -Dani Jones<br />
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In the Seneca Origin Narrative, Othagwenda could be considered the evil brother and Djuskaha was the savior. I think the story is representative of Native Americans sense of good overcoming evil through time. Since Native Americans believed that it was Djuskaha that made their lives easier would they ever worship or honor him in anyway? Or did they only ever worship nature? -Emily King<br />
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Socrates argues that there is a difference between the rule of a statemen and the rule of a master. I don’t believe he is very convincing. He speaks of the “naturally ruled” element as being present in only slaves and women. Couldn’t one argue that everyone is ruled at some level excluding the very highest held position of king? And if this were the case, then wouldn’t people always have a mix of “ruled” and “ruling” abilities? -Emily King<br />
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The two Native American accounts of creation are very similar even after being told for many years and then having to be translated. There is a strong connection with nature which is the stereotypical ideal of the American Indian on preserving the land. The emphasis on nature surporting human life is literally explained with the turtle carrying the first island formation. -Lauren Hicks<br />
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It's interesting about the twins how there is this conflict of living together, in both stories they could not live harmoniously with the others actions. It's also interesting that the "evil twin" was having bad/ negative thoughts since before birth in both accounts, since there has been a battle of good and evil since the beginning of time, will there ever be a resolution where everyone will be happy or at least content? -Lauren Hicks<br />
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While reading the two Native American accounts of creation, I noticed several similarities between them and the story of creation in Genisus. First, the tree that is uprooted in both the Native American accounts is reminiscent of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Once the tree is uprooted, a young woman is cast down from heaven. In the same way, Adam and Eve are cast out of the Garden of Eden once they have eaten from the tree of knowledge. Also, in both Genisus and the Native American accounts, first Earth was made up entirely of water and then land was created. Finally, the twin boys that are born in the Native American accounts remind me of Cain and Abel. Just as Cain killed Abel, in both Native American stories one of the twin boys kills the other. However, despite all these striking similarities, I noticed one major difference. In the Genisus creation story, a man (Adam) is the first person to inhabit the earth. However, in both Native American accounts a woman is the first to live on the earth. -Iris Onks<br />
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The Origin of the Creek Confederacy is very different from the other two Native American accounts of creation. Why are the two so different? Also, this account was a little confusing and I feel like there's a lot of symbolism in it that I'm not quite understanding. -Iris Onks<br />
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I thought that it was interesting how in The Christian Origin Narrative, Adam and Eve only knew of good, but by the end they were tempted into evil. This symbolizes how evil comes into play, not over good, but at the same strength as good. In the Seneca Origin Narrative I agree with Emily King's first comment on how good overcomes evil when Djuskaha defeats Othagwenda. I thought that was ironic because the Origins are similiar in many ways but at the same time have different views on good and evil.- Taylor Warner<br />
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In both of the Native American stories of creation they both mention the Great Turtle. I was wondering the significance it has in their beliefs? Does it in any way relate to the snake in the Christian Origin Narrative because they both were the only Reptiles, let alone animals, that were on earth before the creation of the rest of the animals? -Taylor Warner<br />
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I found it interesting that I was able to find several similarities between the Native American accounts and the Christian account. In each story there were two brothers, one good and one evil. Could this possibly signify the struggle between the different tribes? There was also a tree in each one of them; could this have anything to do with the belief the Native Americans had of life being dependent on the Earth for nourishment among other things? -Jenna Shevlin<br />
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While the names of the brothers were different in the two Native American accounts they had roughly the same meaning according to each of the translations. How can this be since they were written so far apart? Could the different language have anything to do with it? -Jenna Shevlin<br />
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In the Iroquois Creation Story in Calloway's book, I found it interesting that the two brothers were fighting and the lands where they passed through as they fought ended up being areas where different languages developed. I didn't really understand the ending to the story--exactly what were they fighting over? Was it because the evil twin killed the mother and the good one was avenging her death? -Meganne Lemon<br />
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To Jenna's question about the names being similar: I think the difference in time the stories were written and translated has nothing to do with the meaning of the names. It could just be the sake of oral tradition and how spoken word changes; someone from one particular Native American tribe/culture told someone of another tribe the story either by a mixed marriage between different tribes as treaties or using women as pawns in feuds between tribes as part of a peace treaty. The names of the two boys could have been changed to better fit the different Native American people and their particular history, culture, or language. It could just be simple variations of the two names like how dozens of present-day modern names have different spellings in different languages, yet still the names have the same meaning. -Meganne Lemon<br />
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I found it interesting that both of the Native American creation stories, both the Seneca and the Iroquois, seemed to be very negative. Both focused on the struggle between the two brothers, and I wonder if there is any parallel with the strugle the Native Americans faced with the colonist. <br />
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Also I was wondering if the account of the Creek origin, told by Chekilli, was also trying to allude to struggle between Native Americans and colonist. Especially in the last paragraph on page 32, "they now know that the white path was the best for them: for , although Tomochichi was a stranger, they see he has done them good." And then he goes on to mention the King and Esquire Oglethorpe, who as described in the picture on page 32 invited Tomochichi and his wife to travel to England. I'm confused as to what in this story is fiction and what is actually based on historical events.--Helen Dinndorf--<br />
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I found the Iroquois Creation Story, The Woman Who Fell from the Sky, and the Book of Genesis all intriguing because each story shares similarities, as well as profound differences. Are these similaries mere coincidence or insight to some greater purpose? My question is how would a historian percieve these similarities pertaining to the different people, cultures, and societies? The stories remind me of a program I watched on the History Channel about the search for Noah's Ark and how multiple religions and societies have similiar stories of a great flood in their past, some documented, some orally past down from generation to generation, but it makes one think! ---Nick Scott---<br />
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In response to Landon James'question: "Are there any new steps being taken to help give back part of the life we stole from the Native Americans?" I know of a one "benefit" (and I say that sarcastically) that the Native Americans recieve; they get tax exemptions on products they sell, such as tobacco products (Cigars and Cigarettes). I know this because my parents buy cigarettes at one reservation in New York. I heard that the government is displeased since many small local U.S. tobacco sellers cannot keep up with Native American low prices. The Native American my parents buy their tobacco products from told them with the profit he has made selling tobacco he plans to build a casino on the reservation, everything tax free! ---Nick Scott---<br />
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I agree with A. Zelin about the Seneca origin narrative, "The Woman Who Fell from the Sky", it reminded me of Cain and Abel as well. I find it interesting because in the Bible it is the first time a human dies and I wonder, is the death of Othagwenda in the Seneca story the first mention of a human death in their spiritual history as well? -- Katie Mauro<br />
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While reading the passage from Genesis I noticed that there were two sentences where God is speaking and the word "us" and/or "our" is used. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." and "And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us..." I just find it interesting that "us" and "our" are used when God is speaking. -- Katie Mauro<br />
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I also found it interesting that in "The Politics" by Aristotle, he says, "It is thus clear that, just as some are by nature free, so others are by nature slaves, and for these latter the condition of slavery is both beneficial and just..." For those Europeans who had actually read Aristotle, he is basically saying that it is good for those people who are slaves by nature to be enslaved and it is also not wrong to enslave them. -- Katie Mauro<br />
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In response to the statement above about God referring to himself as "us", some people believe the "us" is the trinity, and others believe it is the angels with God, and all the heavenly beings. Still others believe it is kind of like a "royal" us. Like, showing importance, kind of in the way queens would say "We would like a sandwich and a pepsi." (not that she'd ask for those two specifics...)<br />
-- Jessica Lawrie<br />
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A couple people have asked whether or not Native Americans are fighting back today. Over Christmas break there was a news story on how the Lakota people have withdrawn treaties made with the United States in the 19th century. They declared themselves independent. You can read the story at Fox News or CNN, just type "Lakota Indians" into the search bar.--Melissa Brokaw<br />
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Somewhat connected to what A. Zelin said, I saw an unmistakable link among three stories with 2 brothers each. Teharonghyawago & Tawiskaron (From the Iroquois Creation Story), Cain and Able (From the Bible's account of creation), and Romulus and Remus (From Greek Mythology). In all three stories, one brother killed another. It seems to support the fact that people travelled across the Bering Strait. Naturally all the people would start with the same version of creation long long ago, but over the years as it was orally passed down, it began to change in whatever way the story teller relayed it (whether intentionally or not). I found that interesting and exciting. :) --Jessica Lawrie <br />
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A little off topic, but, in class we were asked what the plural for moose is. I was thinking maybe the reason there is no plural for the word is that they are solitary animals. Maybe because there were never more than one around, there was no need for a word for more than one word. I hope no one minds that this comment is not exactly about the reading. lol --Jessica Lawrie<br />
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Oh! It was also very interesting to me that it was believed the people were heavily tattooed. For a people so in tune with nature, it seems they would not want to harm their bodies, which are part of nature. --Jessica Lawrie<br />
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The section that discusses how the Creeks came to where they are begins by saying the earth opened in the West "where its mouth is", and the people came out of it. It then says "The earth became angry." I'm wondering if this is originated with yellowstone and the active volcanics there. In the ancient Roman world at Cumae there is volcanic activity where the sulfur comes up through cracks in the earth. It was thought to be the mouth to the underworld. It's an interesting possible parallel. --Gracie Ofslager<br />
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I would have to agree with Jessica about the connection of the story of Genesis and the Iroquois Creation story. It gives evidence that while these people were separated by thousands of miles, their stories were still interconnected and must mean that they originated from the same place. At the same time there are very noticeable differences. I guess my question would be how did these peoples culture change so drastically that their stories would differ to such a large degree? Another question is why is there such a large gap between the Iroquois story and the Seneca story? Are they meant to be the same but translated differently or are there just that many variations in the story? –Virginia Stratton<br />
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I thought it was interesting that in the Iroquois Creation Story, The Great Spirit ordered the Great Turtle to catch his daughter, pregnant with illegitimate child, on it's back, which is what she built the earth on. Yet in the Seneca Creation Story, the chief's ill daughter fell first on waterfowl, who wished to save her and were not ordered to do so. Finally, the chief's daughter was passed onto the back of the Great Turtle. Also, I was curious who both stories differed so in who created the earth, since the Seneca version, it is actually the animals and not the daughter. However, the Turtle being "the base" for the construction of the earth, is consistent in both stories, which ties into the close relationship between Native Americans and nature. Quincey Garcia<br />
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I also noticed what Jenna S. wrote about regarding the connection between Genesis, the Christian based Creation story, The Woman Who Fell from the Sky based on teh Seneca Creation story, adn the Iroquois Creation story. The fact that all three stories contained 2 brothers, one evil and one good, who end up fighting to the death provides a strong and important connection between the Native Americans and the Christians. This connection is vital because all three groups introduce death and struggle as a part of human life. Quincey Garcia<br />
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I can't get my head out of Chekilli's narration of the travelings of the Creeks. At first when I was reading his speech I thought the story to be written in such an elementary way relative to the other readings, but then I started to visualize how he spoke the story, and it's kind of coming to life for me. I feel like I'm in an Indian Hut listening to an old guy tell what he knew of legends and such. --Gracie Ofslager<br />
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In comparing the two creation stories, Iroquois Creation Story and "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky", I found it interesting that the Iroquois Creation story told that the woman was thrown down from the sky by her father because she had been "pregnant by an illicit connection". Then in the other story, "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky" she had just been taken ill and in the concern of all the people, and her father in particular, they removed the tree in effort to cure her of her ailment by hanging her from in when she was pushed down by another. Pregnancy in this second story is ignored, it is instead assumed that nature itself impregnated the woman and her daughter (she tells her daughter to only look to the West when picking potatoes, then the time she looked to the East the West Wing entered her and she got pregnant). I just found it interesting the very different role of pregnancy and even of the father of the children, in general, played in these stories. --Christen Booher<br />
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In examining further into the creation stories, "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky" and the Iroquois Creation Story, I focus on the twins. In the story "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky" I deemed the role of the twins to be far more significant and to have made an actual impact on the formation of nature. The balance of positive and negative attributes each contributed to the expanding of the island worked well, but is understandable that the battle of each brother to have things his own way would lead to a fight between the two twins. In the Iroquious Creation Story, I felt that the twins' role was much less notable, the brothers' fight seemed almost meaningless, especially to have been the cause of the death of a brother(which begs the question of how good could one actually be to have murdered his brother over past grievances?) Nevertheless, after the "good" brother released all of the animals that had been captured and held captive by his twin, combined with the inevitable hatred still felt by the "good" brother for "evil" brother that he had knowingly killed their mother, the twins began to fought. With this fight, which took place all throughout the island, arose the only eminent impact the brothers actually had in this story: from the varied tones in their voices while passing different places during the fight resulted in the formation of different languages. The first story was more of a creation story of how Earth and its beings came to place, while the other said much less about how things came to be beyond the original formation of the island. --Christen Booher<br />
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In the story, “The Woman Who Fell from the Sky,” I found it ironic that the chief’s daughter was ill in heaven but when she was pushed down to earth, she was able to be cured when she couldn’t be cured in heaven with many attempts.<br />
And how was life made when the woman somehow conceived a daughter and then that daughter conceived male twins? Did the twins make more humans like the way they made the animals and nature? -- Eun Yi<br />
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The two stories, “The Woman Who Fell from the Sky” and “In the Beginning” are similar in the way they tell how life was first originated. [One from the Seneca religion and the other from the Christian religion] They contrast in ways that one was a woman who was first placed on earth and the other a man. Also, in the Seneca’s story it seems as if the twins were God because they made the animals and nature (or not?) -- Eun Yi<br />
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I found it interesting that many Indian tribes believed that the world was created on the back of a giant sea turtle and that the Iroquis and the Seneca's story of how the earth was created was similar. -- Eun Yi<br />
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After reading the different creation stories in chapter one of Johnson, I realized that each one of the stories is directly correlated to both the culture that wrote them, and also the time period in which they were written. For example, the Seneca's creation story, "The Woman Who Fell from the Sky," didn't make much sense to me, but then I thought about the fact that we are only what we know. The Native Americans used their knowledge of what they knew at the time in order to make up a creation story that made sense in their eyes. The turtle for example, was something the Native Americans were familiar with, thus they chose to incorporate it into the story about how life came to be. In the Christian version of creation, "Genesis," it is apparent that the society of that time period believed that creation was way too complex for merely mortal men to have been responsible for. Therefore, they put all the credit towards a much higher being of intelligent design since they were not able to fathom the unexplained. <br />
~Megan Tisdelle~<br />
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I think for a topic of discussion, we should explore some different creation stories from other parts of the world (and even in the same parts of the world) so that we can compare and contrast the various ways in which certain cultures and societies explained what they did not know, creation. It would be interesting to see the certain similarities among some of them, and at the same time it would be interesting to see the differences among the stories in which the people lived relatively close to one another, like another Indian tribe in North America for example. <br />
~Megan Tisdelle~<br />
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This might be a little off topic, but I kept thinking about it as I was reading about the Native American's beliefs and storys. My geography teacher mentioned in his lecture today that 'gods' used to be used to explain things that people didn't understand. For example, when it wasn't understood why the sun rose on one side and set on another, the explaination was the "sun god" dragged the sun across the sky every day. Now that we know about the earth's axis, how it's titled, and how the earth rotates, we don't need any other explaination. So it makes sense to me that the Indians had some of the beliefs and thoughts that they did.<br />
P.S. Does anyone know how to enable cookies?<br />
--Megan Malecha<br />
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I found it interesting that in both “The Woman Who Fell from the Sky” and “Iroquois Creation Story,” the stories ended with brother in a brawl. However, I agree with Christen that the role of the twins in “The Woman Who Fell from the Sky” was far more significant in the creation of nature and such. It seems that the twins also created hardship and unhappiness because the one brother disputed what the other brother had made saying that the people who would come to live there would live too easily and be too happy. The “Iroquois Creation Story” spawned the branches of good and evil with the two brothers. “The Woman Who Fell from the Sky” told more of nature and the land created, whereas The “Iroquois Creation Story” told more of how humans act. <br />
I also think that exploring different creation stories from other parts of the world would be an interesting discussion topic. <br />
-- Courtney Newcomb<br />
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I had never actually read any of the Bible until I read the Genesis portion in the reading. I never realized it was written in such a storytelling kind of way, not unlike the creation stories of the Native Americans. It is interesting to think about why different groups of people believe different things and how religious beliefs are formed.- Jake Guralnik<br />
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I know that there are groups of Chirstians today that take the Bible extremely literally, while some only use the stories to base their morals and don't take it word for word. I wonder if this is true of the Native Americans, or if they all take their stories as absolute truth.- Jake Guralnik<br />
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I find it very interesting to think about all of the different religions of the world that an individual can decide to follow. It's kind of like playing roulette. Which one will give me a prize when the wheel stops turning? :) -Matt Pulley<br />
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I can understand how some may think that God is just an agreed upon being to explain the unexplainable. For a while I believed in that, too. I changed my mind when I learned about a man who claimed to be of God, who only knew of loving, healed the sick, and gave his life for the rest of humanity. I hope I didn't scare anyone. On a lighter note, I think the plural usage of moose should be "meese." -Matt Pulley</div>72.86.45.27 Deprecated: header(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($response_code) of type int is deprecated in /home/umwhisto/public_html/mcclurken/wiki/includes/WebResponse.php on line 38