The Importance Of Native American Legends

By Tammie Caldwell


Every native setting comprises of stories related to them. Story telling is a tool used to pass information through many generation lines. The motive of these stories is to pass traditional customs related to a specific setting and offer a solution to the contemporary problems likely to affect them. Native American legends are an example of such stories and each of them have moral lessons or massages to convey.

The fact that these legends are told to a line of generations ensure that no member belonging to this community is left out from listening to them. This is an efficient way of bridging the generational gap. Through them, the traditions of communities are passed to each and every member who ensures that the culture is always kept alive.

Language is what distinguishes people from different regions in most cases. Preserving a language is essential in determining how long a native language will be in existence. Modern education poises a lot of danger in the attempt to erode these languages. Since stories are told using native languages, they have greatly help in the fight for it been preserved.

Again, every community has a different explanation of natural occurrences such as weather changes and natural calamities. Legends tell of possible activities that are likely to result in such and also explain an immediate solutions of how to avoid them or what to do in case of their occurrences. This ensures that the community members are well behaved to avoid such happenings.

Through legends, the origin myths or believes of a community are made known to the members. Every native setting has a different version of how they came into being. Religion is also passed through them and they offer explanations of the same as well as define the supreme beings and how to relate with them.

Every member of a community is believed to have a role to play. In most cases, the roles and obligation are defined by the gender of the members. There are also people who have authority and rule the communities. Through stories, duties are clearly outlined on relations among the members defined. Also ways of coming up with leaders are explained.

Some segments of the legends comprise of poems, songs and dances. Through them, entertainment is offered to the related communities. The songs and dances also carry along some massages with them intended for different settings or occasions. They also explain who is supposed to be involved in singing or dancing.

Existence of superheroes is common in many community legends. They are believed to have different superpowers and are superior to the ordinary members. Such are explained to have done certain services that greatly helped the communities. They act as role models to the young generations who would like to take up their roles or emulate them when they grow. Boundaries for attaining such are set and the interested have to work hard to attain them.




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