The Pueblo’s emphasis on the spoken word is a reflection of what values their culture epitomizes. They believe in a strong sense of family and community, in which speaking from the heart is the best way to strengthen ties. They remember their culture the way that they have always remembered their culture, by getting in a group and telling their creation stories. However they are not the only culture that have this tradition but one of many. When you look back into history for examples of cultures with similar views on words and stories they’re typically more primitive. They are almost always tribal and include groups from Africa, Australia (aborigines), and the Pacific Islands. These peoples sense of community is tied to this form of storytelling because it encourages communal togetherness and a shared culture which is constantly being reaffirmed at these gatherings.
A possible reason for why Native Americans in general cling so strongly to their old ways of life is that, quite frankly, it’s all they have left. The only things that haven’t and are the hardest to take away from them are their stories. They remind them of a time when they were free to live their life the way that they wanted. No reservation on which they must remain or society which they must conform to. They were they masters of this continent 400 years ago and the only thing they have left now are words and stories.
(post by Erik)
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