Four Winds: Poems from Indian Rituals"... lovely bits of Zuni, Navajo, Tewa, San Juan-ceremonial chants, prayers, blessings, rituals that are truly lovely and a living part of our Indian Southwest." This is how critic Alice Bullock, herself a noted author and historian of the Southwest, described Gene Meany Hodge's Four Winds upon its initial publication. Sunstone Press is now pleased to offer this prized work in its new format with the hope that it will soon reach many more readers who are interested in this fascinating and haunting subject. The author says: "I am grateful to all the students of Indian ceremonial life who have made it possible for us to know the beautiful philosophy and religion of the Indians. The material for this book is gathered from their early works. Many of these prayer-poems are free translations from long nine-day ceremonies, some for rain and abundant harvest, some for healing, some for blessing, and some for thanksgiving." BOOKS OF THE SOUTHWEST said: "Out of her long experience with Indian culture, Gene Meany Hodge has chosen a score of prayer-poems from Southwest tribal literature. The translations are by various hands; the Indian motif illustrations by Mrs. Hodge beautifully complement the text." |
