Sketch of the Mythology of the North American Indians by John Wesley Powell

"Sketch of the Mythology of the North American Indians" by John Wesley Powell is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The work explores the philosophical underpinnings and mythological narratives of various Native American tribes, delving into their explanations of natural phenomena through mythic lenses. Powell's study reveals how each culture interprets the cosmos through their mythology, ultimately contributing to our understanding of the evolution of human thought. At the start of the publication, Powell outlines the essential elements of mythology as a philosophical approach, contrasting it with scientific thought. He emphasizes humanity's innate need to question the natural world and how this leads to the development of different philosophies across cultures. The opening also touches on the broad spectrum of myths among Native American tribes, illustrating how their narratives emerge from personal experiences and communal beliefs about the forces of nature. Powell’s analysis encourages readers to appreciate the depth of Native American mythologies and their significance in shaping cultural identity and philosophical thought. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Powell, John Wesley, 1834-1902
Title Sketch of the Mythology of the North American Indians
First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 17-56
Credits Produced by Thomas Strong, Carlo Traverso, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at
gallica.bnf.fr)
Reading Level Reading ease score: 62.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class E011: History: America: America
Subject Indian mythology -- North America
Category Text
eBook-No. 21033
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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