Oneida Iroquois Folklore, Myth, and History: New York Oral Narrative from the Notes of H. E. Allen and Others

by Anthony Wayne Wonderley

This is the first major book to explore uniquely Iroquois components in the Native American oral narrative as it existed around 1900. Drawn largely from early twentieth-century journals by non-Indian scholar Hope Emily Allen, much of it has never before been published. Even as he studies time-honored themes and such stories as the Iroquois myth of the beginning, Anthony Wonderley breaks new ground examining links between legend, history, and everyday life. He pointedly questions how oral traditions are born and develop. Uncovering traditional tales told over the course of 400 years, Wonderley further definesand considersendurance and sequence in mythic content. Finally, possible links between Oneida folklore and material culture are explored in discussions of craftworks and archaeological artifacts of cultural and symbolic importance. Arguably the most complete study of its kind, the book will appeal to a wide range of professional disciplinesfrom anthropology, history, and folklore to religion and Native American studies.

Genres: History

261 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Mike Cohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional critical, comparative, and historical ethnography of Iroquois oral narrative. Coming from within the Oneida community. It stands out amongst the available literature. I will surely return to this work again.

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for a variety of tales, general research, lots of context, and oral history. It’s definitely a thought-provoking and rather fascinating read.

[Lin Lin]

Based on detailed research and analysis, the book depicts Oneida Iroquois' history through their folklore, myths, and legends, and explains why there are so few in numbers today. Would love to read it again.

[Michael Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great research book.