Mythology and Values: An Analysis of Navaho Chantway Myths

by Katherine Spencer

Overview

In this book, Katherine Spencer examines Navaho cultural values by studying a specific subset of Navaho mythology: chantway myths, part of ceremonies performed to cure illness. She begins with a summary of the general plot construction of chantway myths and the value themes presented in these plots, then discusses "explanatory elements" inserted by the narrators of the myths. She continues with a deeper analysis of the cultural value judgements conveyed by these myths. At the end of the book, Spencer includes abstracts of the myths she discusses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780292735286
Publisher:	University of Texas Press
Publication date:	01/01/1957
Series:	American Folklore Society Memoir Series
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

Katherine Spencer, later Katherine Spencer Halpern (1913–2004), was an anthropologist and a research associate with the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.

Table of Contents

• Preface
• I. Introduction
• II. Navaho Chantway Myths
• III. Plot Construction and Value Themes
  • The Pattern of Plot Construction
    • A. The Hero’s Predicament
    • B. The Hero’s Rescue and Acquisition of Power
    • C. The Hero’s Family and Affinal Relations
  • Value Themes
    • A. Health and Illness
    • B. Power and Knowledge
    • C. Family Relationships
    • D. Self-Assertion and Responsibility
• IV. Explanatory Elements
  • Health, Fertility, Ritual Observance, Sex and Family Relations, Aggression, Irresponsibility, Property, Animal Origins, Miscellaneous
• V. Sanctions and standards
  • Introduction
  • Subsistence and Property
    • A. Subsistence
    • B. Poverty
    • C. Responsibility
  • Sex and Marriage
  • Family and Kin
    • A. Parents and Children
    • B. Siblings
  • Some Aspects of Interpersonal Relations
    • A. Companionship and Hospitality
    • B. Aggression
• VI. Conclusions
  • Review of Findings
  • Discussion of Theoretical Problems
• VII. Abstracts of Chantway Myths
  • Hail Way
  • Water Way
  • Male Shooting Way
  • Big Star Way
  • Mountaintop Way
  • Prostitution Way
  • Moth Way
  • Beauty Way
  • Night Way
    • The Visionary
    • The Stricken Twins
  • Plume Way
  • Navaho Wind Way
  • Chiricahua Wind Way
  • Eagle Way
  • Bead Way
  • Flint Way
  • Ghostway Ritual of Male Shooting Way
  • Enemy Way
• VIII. References
  • Notes
  • Bibliography