Anishinaabe Literature - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... The Anishinaabeg people of the United States consist of the Nipissing/Algonquin, Ojibwa, Sauleteaux, Chippewa, Odawa, Mississaugas, Oji-Cree and Potawatomi. These communities have basically inhabited the Great Lakes region of Canada and the U.S. as noted above, the myths of the Anishinaabe are great facilitating the way forward in upholding an identity which is distinct. Notably, the Anishinaabe stories are not only sacred but also wide ranging. The way these stories are told is also funny and humorous- an element which is shared in all stories. A good example of these stories is the myth about the history of the Anishinaabeg (Pheasant 1). According to this myth, Gizhemanidoo, in the very beginning created the universe, including the creation of the Grandfather Sun, Grandmother Moon, Father Sky and Mother Earth. He is also believed to have created all the things on earth- both the living and the non-living. It is after he had created all that is on the surface of the earth, in the seas and in the sky that Gizhemanidoo created the four seasons. According to the Anishinaabeg, these seasons were geared towards bringing both balance and harmony to all. Besides, these people held these seasons to be one of the greatest mysteries to have ever existed (Cavender 8). The man was later created after all other creations. Gizhemanidoo appeared to the first Anishinaabe in a dream- where he (Gizhemanidoo) instructed the first Anishinaabe to give names to all other creature according to the language given to him. This story brings us to the knowledge that the first Anishinaabe gave names to all insects, animals, fish and bird. On completing the work, he made it known to the Gizhemanidoo that he had accomplished all that he was to do through a dream. It is after this that he was given the name Nanabozho (Sugarhead 6).
Markedly, storytellinf among the Anishinaabeg remains to be a means through which members of the indigenous communities get to be taught and learn. In the manner in which these stories are being told, it is crystal clear that the cultural processes present in the society are being emphasized. The same stories are actually being used as cultural dimensions of the old to present the past, thus facilitating the viewing of life history as part and parcel of the principal contributory explanations of cultural processes instead of simply making illustrations or even augmenting ethnographic descriptions. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More