{"product_id":"native-american-mythology-a-to-z","title":"Native American Mythology A to Z by Patricia Ann Lynch","description":"\u003ch2\u003eNative American Mythology A to Z by Patricia Ann Lynch\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eThe volume features hundreds of scannable, cross-referenced entries covering everything from minor trickster spirits to grand creation epics. To ensure readers do not falsely blend different indigenous cultures together, each entry explicitly links a myth or figure to its specific \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"282\"\u003eCultural\/Geographic Region\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eLynch organizes North America into several distinct cultural zones, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. The Southwest (e.g., Navajo, Hopi, Zuni)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eEntries from this arid region emphasize agricultural survival, emergence stories, and complex communal rituals. Lynch details the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"130\"\u003eKachinas\u003c\/b\u003e (ancestral spirit guides of the Pueblo peoples), the subterranean emergence chambers known as \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"233\"\u003eKivas\u003c\/b\u003e, and the exploits of the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"264\"\u003eChanging Woman\u003c\/b\u003e (a central Navajo deity representing the life cycle, seasons, and fertility).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e2. The Great Plains (e.g., Lakota, Cheyenne, Comanche)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eFocusing on the nomadic and semi-nomadic hunting cultures of the American interior, these entries prominently feature the sacred relationship between humans and animals. Key entries include \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"190\"\u003eWakan Tanka\u003c\/b\u003e (the Lakota concept of the Great Mysterious or Supreme Spirit), the foundational ritual of the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"297\"\u003eSun Dance\u003c\/b\u003e, and the legend of the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"330\"\u003eWhite Buffalo Calf Woman\u003c\/b\u003e, who brought the sacred pipe to the people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"18\"\u003eBy presenting these narratives side-by-side, Lynch's reference guide allows readers to observe recurring thematic patterns that span across different tribal borders:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"19\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"19\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. The Trickster Archetype\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"20\"\u003eOne of the most robust themes in the book is the role of the Trickster. Whether manifested as \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"20\" data-index-in-node=\"94\"\u003eCoyote\u003c\/b\u003e in the Southwest and Plains, \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"20\" data-index-in-node=\"130\"\u003eRaven\u003c\/b\u003e in the Northwest, or \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"20\" data-index-in-node=\"157\"\u003eIktomi\u003c\/b\u003e (the spider) among the Lakota, these characters are rarely malicious. Instead, they represent human fallibility, curiosity, and chaos. Lynch demonstrates how Tricksters serve a vital educational purpose: their greed and foolishness teach tribal audiences about social taboos, ethics, and the unexpected consequences of upsetting natural balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"21\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"21\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e2. Kinship with the Natural World\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"22\"\u003eUnlike Western mythologies that often position humanity as rulers over nature, Lynch’s entries highlight a flat cosmic hierarchy. Animals, plants, rocks, and weather systems are treated as sentient \"nations\" or persons possessing their own spiritual power (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"257\"\u003emedicine\u003c\/i\u003e). Human beings are depicted as younger siblings who must continuously offer respect, songs, and tobacco to their animal neighbors to maintain a harmonious ecosystem.\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":47274883612857,"sku":null,"price":190.0,"currency_code":"BDT","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/0874\/6169\/files\/Native_American_Mythology_A_to_Z.jpg?v=1779476120","url":"https:\/\/royalbooksbd.com\/products\/native-american-mythology-a-to-z","provider":"Royal Books BD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}