Publisher's Synopsis
The Dawn of the World is a book that explores the myths and tales of the Miwok Indians of California. Written by C. Hart Merriam, the book delves into the rich cultural heritage of the Miwok people, who have lived in California for thousands of years. The book is divided into two parts - the first part provides an overview of the Miwok culture and their way of life, while the second part focuses on their myths and tales.The book begins by describing the geography and environment of the Miwok homeland, which is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The author then goes on to discuss the Miwok's social organization, their religious beliefs, and their daily life. The book also includes detailed descriptions of Miwok ceremonies and rituals, such as the Big Time festival and the Kuksu cult.The second part of the book is dedicated to the myths and tales of the Miwok people. These stories are organized into categories such as creation myths, animal tales, and hero stories. The author provides detailed analysis and commentary on each story, and explains their significance within Miwok culture. The stories are rich in symbolism and provide insight into the Miwok worldview and their relationship with the natural world.Overall, The Dawn of the World is a fascinating exploration of the Miwok culture and their myths and tales. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Native American culture, folklore, and mythology.1910. The tales contained in this volume were told to Merriam by the Indians of a single stock, the Mewan, the tribes of which are confined to central California and have no known relatives in any part of the world. The myths are related by the old people after the first rains of the winter season, usually in the ceremonial roundhouse and always at night by the dim light of a small flickering fire. They constitute the religious history of the tribe, and from time immemorial have been handed down by word of mouth; from generation to generation they have been repeated, without loss and without addition. Some of the tales contained in this volume are: Why the Lizard Man did not restore Dead People to Life; The Coyote and the Lizard; The Creation of Man; How they got the Fire; The bear and the Fawns, as told by the Northern Mewuk; Why the Bodega Bay Indians can not stand Cold; and many more.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
