The Mythology of South America

by Bierhorst, John

• ISBN13: 9780195146257
• ISBN10: 0195146255
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-22
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

More than any other continent, South America "has preserved the conditions that allow mythology to be freely produced." Dividing the continent into seven carefully mapped regions, John Bierhorst shows how South America's principal myths can be traced from tribe to tribe and how each region has developed its own unique oral tradition. Generous samples from the stories themselves introduce the female creators of the northern Andes, the male gods of the ancient Incas, and the Brazilian tricksters Sun and Moon. Originally published in 1988, Bierhorst has updated the text to reflect the abundance of new information that has become available since the mid 80s and written a new Afterward in which he emphasizes the durability of Indian mythology. Illustrations of native artwork and chapters devoted to special topics--including the connections between myths and politics--help to provide a well-rounded overview of this fascinating and little-known lore. Detailed maps show tribal locations and the distribution of key stories and samples of differing narrative styles add enrichment, as some of the world's purest and most powerful myths are made more accessible--and more meaningful--than ever before.

Author Biography

John Bierhorst is the author, editor, or translator of more than thirty books on Native American lore--eight of which have been named Notable Books by the American Library Association.

Table of Contents

A Note on Pronunciation	xi
Introduction	1	(24)
Part One: Greater Brazil
Culture Heroes and Their Deeds	25	(16)
Men Versus Women	41	(12)
Creators and Saviors	53	(12)
Part Two: Guiana
The Other World	65	(14)
This World and Its Beginnings	79	(14)
Part Three: Brazilian Highlands
The Art of Myth	93	(12)
Myth and Society	105	(14)
Part Four: Gran Chaco
Tricksters of the Chaco	119	(8)
Dangerous Women	127	(11)
Cataclysms	138	(13)
Part Five: Far South
Providers and Deliverers	151	(10)
Men's Liberation	161	(12)
Part Six: Northwest
Mothers and Their Children	173	(15)
When Myths Die	188	(11)
Part Seven: Central Andes
Highland Gods	199	(13)
In the Montana	212	(8)
Myth and Archaeology	220	(13)
From Myth to Politics	233	(10)
Afterword	243	(8)
Notes on Sources	251	(13)
References	264	(11)
Index	275