The Mythology of South AmericaMore than any other continent, South America "has preserved the conditions that allow mythology to be freely produced." Dividing the continent into seven carefully mapped regions, John Bierhorst shows how South America's principal myths can be traced from tribe to tribe and how each region has developed its own unique oral tradition. Generous samples from the stories themselves introduce the female creators of the northern Andes, the male gods of the ancient Incas, and the Brazilian tricksters Sun and Moon. Originally published in 1988, Bierhorst has updated the text to reflect the abundance of new information that has become available since the mid 80s and written a new Afterward in which he emphasizes the durability of Indian mythology. Illustrations of native artwork and chapters devoted to special topics--including the connections between myths and politics--help to provide a well-rounded overview of this fascinating and little-known lore. Detailed maps show tribal locations and the distribution of key stories and samples of differing narrative styles add enrichment, as some of the world's purest and most powerful myths are made more accessible--and more meaningful--than ever before. |
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Common terms and phrases
Aguaruna Alacaluf America ancient Andean animals Apinayé Bachué Barasana birds Bororo Brazil Brazilian Highlands bride brothers called Carancho Carib Cayapó Central ceremony Chorote chullpa Civrieux climbed Creator culture hero Cuzco darkness deity earth Ecuador Elal father fire fish flood FLSAI giants Gran Chaco Greater Brazil Guajiro Guiana HSAI human hunters hunting husband Inca Indian Inkarrí jaguar kill Koch-Grünberg Koniraya live lore Manco Manco Capac manioc masks Mataco Métraux Mochica montaña Moon mother Muisca Mundurucú mythology night Nimuendajú Northwest Amazon Nunkwi origin Parrot Peru Pulówi Quechua region Selknam shaman Shavante Shipaya Shuar Sintána South American spirit stars story Tacana tale types Taulipáng Tehuelche tell threw Tiahuanaco Toba Tokwah told Tolú Tonapa tradition tree tribes trickster Tsunki Twin Myth Ufaina variant village Villas Boas Warrau wife Wirakocha Witoto woman women Yamana Yaruro Yekuana Yoáloh Yupa