Gather the Dragon Balls

Monday, October 26, 2015

Week 10 Reading Diary B: Alaskan Legends

Alaskan Legends

Origin of the Chilkat Blanket: This story explains why people aimed between the eyes to kill bears. I liked this story because there was no happy ever after for everyone on it. I also like how the sea god was kind to the woman and let her go home to her people. This would be another good story to tell like I did Cupid and Psyche.

The First Woman: I like how this story explains why women from different areas have different skills. It is interesting to me how all of these stories explain the world around them. I like how this story is ended with "it is still this way today so its true".

The Boy in the Moon: I like how this story explains the origin of the moon and the sun. It is interesting how the people say that the moon was a boy and the girl is the sun. This is consistent with other Native American stories and one of the Japan mythology stories I read. It is so sad that they say it is a boy who is in love with a girl that can never get to her.

(Moon of Anchorage Alaska)

Week 10: Reading Diary A: Alaskan Legends

Alaskan Legends

The Flood: This story is about how one Raven got angry at the people and caused a great flood that caused the people to die of starvation. This is another story that has biblical sounding origins. These stories that are all similar to each other make you really wonder if something like a great flood did happen because these people had to come up with these stories somewhere.

The Origin of the Tides: This story is used to explain a natural phenomenon. A lot of stories from different tribes do this. This one explains high and low tide. It is interesting to hear how they explain things when we have science now that teaches us it is something else. They didn't have that back then so they just think it is some weird thing like men putting the lid on and taking it off to create high and low tide. We know it is just the moon and it's gravitational pull.

Raven's Feast: This is a story about how the Raven wanted to have a great feast and asked for the Groundhog's for help with food. The Groundhogs were said to be able to know when the winter was over and spring was coming. I think this is cool because it explains why Groundhogs are used to decide when spring is coming.

(Nass River)

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Extra Reading Diary Post Week 9: Eskimo Folk Tales

Eskimo Folk Tales

The Coming of Men, a Long, Long While Ago: I really enjoy hearing about how other culture's view the world being born so to speak. I think it is so interesting to see the similarities between Christian views and other religions. The Native American units have really been one of my favorites to see this. In this one, it retells some of the Bible's stories only with their own take on it. They talk about how man, children, women, and dogs were made. They even address a big flood that wiped out most of man kind.

Nukúnguasik, who escaped from the Tupilak: And then there are some Native American stories that just don't make a lot of sense. This is one of them. I feel like this story really didn't have a point. It talks about the many brothers and one of them trying to make something to kill one of the others. Then the one who is supposed to be killed, kills the one trying to kill him and leaves the monster made to kill him on the island with him.

The Giant Dog: So this story is kind of crazy, but it does have a point. I like that the giant dog is made out to be a villain then is told that he is not that bad at all because the island dwellers are not nice themselves. I really enjoy how the very end rhymes. I also enjoy how the dog is just really cool and handles those three dogs that try to attack him.

(Eskimo Girl)

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Week 9: Reading Diary B: Myth's of the Cherokee

Myth's of the Cherokee

(Terrapin)

The Terrapin's escape from the wolves: This story reminds me a lot of the Jataka tale. I liked it because the turtle is clever and gets out of dying again because he knows how to play people. I find it really funny that this turtle used wolf ears as spoons to like frighten people!

The Crane and the Hummingbird: The crane and the hummingbird both love the same woman. She prefers the hummingbird...but do you blame her? They are so cute and colorful! I relate to her because I also love hummingbirds and do not blame her one bit for staying single!!!

The Owl gets Married: This story is very interesting. I like how the owl takes human form and then grieves himself out of having it. It is very supernatural in nature. It is weird how the owl was a terrible hunter though because I have always thought of owls as being great hunters.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Week 9: Reading Diary A: Myth's of the Cherokee

Myth's of the Cherokee

(the moon)

The Moon and the Thunders: There are a lot of stories compiled into this one. It is very interesting to observe the different style the Cherokee's use to tell stories. They make it one big compilation of stories that are similar to each other. All of these stories have a common theme that is the moon and the sun. The last one talks about thunder though. I think it is included because they talk about the sky in it.

The Deluge: Oh! This story is like the Cherokee version of Noah's Arc! These stories are all straight and to the point. I really like that the man's dog is the one that told him to build a raft. Did the dog ever get thrown into the water?

The Rabbit Goes Duck Hunting: This is the first of the rabbit stories. This rabbit is so clever and yet he is really creepy. I like how they talk about the rabbit getting out of their by convincing the human's to stand back. I also like how the rabbit is clever and mischievous. It reminds me of bugs bunny!