{"product_id":"handbook-of-native-american-mythology-handbooks-of-world-mythology","title":"Handbook of Native American Mythology (Handbooks of World Mythology) by Dawn E Bastian, Judy K Mitchell","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHandbook of Native American Mythology (Handbooks of World Mythology) by Dawn E Bastian, Judy K Mitchell\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eThe volume is designed as an accessible textbook and library reference. Rather than overwhelming readers with isolated story fragments, the authors establish a solid cultural and historical baseline before providing an encyclopedic reference section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eThe handbook's layout organizes this immense body of cultural knowledge into four primary operational zones:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. Introduction to Indigenous Oral Traditions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eThe book opens by examining the fundamental nature of oral storytelling. Bastian and Mitchell explain how stories serve as multi-functional tools within indigenous societies—functioning simultaneously as historical records, moral codes, legal structures, ecological blueprints, and entertainment. They challenge the Western classification of these sacred narratives as mere \"fables\" or \"fairy tales.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"22\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eKinship with the Natural World\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"23\"\u003eA central theme running through the entire volume is the total breakdown of the barrier between humans, animals, and landscapes. In indigenous worldviews, animals are often seen as older, wiser \"people\" who willingly share their wisdom and substance with humans when treated with proper ritual respect. Rocks, mountains, rivers, and winds are recognized as living, sentient entities possessing their own agency and spiritual power (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"23\" data-index-in-node=\"432\"\u003eanimism\u003c\/i\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"24\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"24\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e Emergence vs. Creation \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"24\" data-index-in-node=\"26\"\u003eEx Nihilo\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"25\"\u003eThe authors highlight a major distinction between typical Western creation myths (creation out of nothing) and many Native American traditions, particularly in the Southwest. Many indigenous traditions focus on \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"25\" data-index-in-node=\"211\"\u003eEmergence Myths\u003c\/b\u003e, where humans and animals originally lived in dark, chaotic subterranean worlds, slowly migrating upward through consecutive underground caves or dimensions before finally emerging into the current, modern world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage: English.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre: Mythology.\u003cspan class=\"BookPageMetadataSection__genreButton\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding: সেলাই করা বাইন্ডিং\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuality: Premium Quality Books.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinting: High Quality Printing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaper: Eye Friendly paper (Cream White)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCover: Matt cover (Paperback).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Books BD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47274847862969,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"BDT","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/0874\/6169\/files\/Handbook_of_Native_American_Mythology.jpg?v=1779475059","url":"https:\/\/royalbooksbd.com\/products\/handbook-of-native-american-mythology-handbooks-of-world-mythology","provider":"Royal Books BD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}