Native American Exam

Native American Exam
Jess DowningHonors
History 10

Joseph Campbell stated that there are four functions to myths. The first function is the Mythical Function. It helps the individual to realize the wonder ofthe Universe and to feel awe before its mystery.
Black Elk tells us of a beautiful woman who came from the clouds unto two men. The first man did not do what she asked and she turned him into a skeleton.She told the second man to go home and tell his people that she was coming, and that a big tepee should be built for her in the center of the Nation. The womancame and gave the chief of the Nation a pipe. The pipe had a bison carved on one side. It meant the Earth “that bears and feeds us”. Twelve eagle feathers hungfrom the steam, meaning the sky and the twelve moons. The feathers were tired with a grass that would never break.
The woman said unto the Nation:“Behold! With this you shall multiply and be a good nation. Nothing but good shall come from it. Only the hands of the good shall take care of it and thebad shall not even see it”.At one point of his story, Black Elk also reveals that his Grandfathers were “calling” him. When he tried to leave the tepee, he could not walk because histhighs hurt. He became sick. Black Elk also had visions.
The Mythical Function of the Native American religion would help them realize that they are not“all-knowing”. The feel awe before the Universe because its so “intense”.
The second function of a myth is the Scientific Function. The Scientific Function shows the shape of the universe. It reveals the names and purposes ofthings in such a way that mystery is still preserved.Black Elk realized that bison were their strength. They were a gift to them from a good spirit. If they lost them, they must find another strength from that spirit.
The first Grandfather gave Black Elk a wooden cup filled with water. In the water was the sky. He said, “Take this. it’s the power to make live and itsyours”. There was a black horse that was very sick and its ribs stood out. Black Elk cured it and it became fat and happy again.The first Grandfather also gave Black Elk a bow. He said, “Take this. it’s the power to destroy and its yours”.
Once again they don’t feel all-knowing. The Native Americans don’t know all the purposes of things. They know that they don’t have to, preserving somemystery.
The third function to a myth is the Sociological Function. It supports and validates a certain social order, such as the roles of women vs. men and leadersvs. commoners. As Black Elk described the journey on the “good road”, the chieftains’ band was both young men and women. Next, came the nations advisers leading men andwomen that were neither young nor old.
All people were equal. Men and women both helped do daily tasks (hunting, gathering). Some leaders had different responsibilities. Individuals didn’t thinka different age or sex would be favored.
The fourth and final function of the myth is the Teaching Function. It shows how to live a human life under any circumstances. Such as stress, fear andillness. Two men came from the clouds with spears and told Black Elk his Grandfathers were “calling him”. When he saw them, Black Elk realized they were not oldermen; They were the powers of the world. There was the Power of the West, the Power of the North, the Power of the East, the Power of the South, the Power ofthe Sky and the Power of the Earth.The powers were represented by grandfathers. I believe this is because grandfathers are represented as kind, old and wise. They share close bonds withchildren. Part of this bond comes from stories.
Europeans (Christians) and Native Americans believed in totally different things when it came to religion. For instance, the Christians believed they wereput on the Earth as a punishment for their sins. The Native Americans believed they were put on Earth.
The Christians felt the Earth belonged to them and the Native Americans felt they belonged to the Earth.When Christians died, they believed they went to either Heaven or Hell. If you were Saved you went to Heaven, otherwise you went to Hell. Native Americans believed their spirits stayed on Earth after they died.
Conflict and violence between the Europeans and Native Americans could have been avoided. Conflict and violence could have been avoided if the Europeansaccepted the Native Americans’ religion and beliefs. To be frank, they really didn’t even tolerate them.