Louisiana Indian Tales

"An engaging and informative book. It is a charming narrative, as accessible to twelve-year-olds as to us ancients. For one realizes soon enough that the authors know exactly what they are doing: telling the truth about the archeology and the traditions of Louisiana Indians." Walker Percy Louisiana Indian Tales vividly recreates the struggles and triumphs of the state's first inhabitants. Dating back to 10,000 b.c. when the Paleo-Indians occupied the area and huge woolly mammoths and mastodons roamed the land, these poignant stories are based on archaeological evidence and historical knowledge traced through modern-day findings. As archaeologist Dr. Ben Dominique and his young friends Richard and Rob soon discover while on an expedition in the first story, Louisiana is a state rich in Indian culture. Together the trio unearth the proud, industrious, and resourceful life-styles of the many cultures that contributed to this state's fascinating history. The tales in this collection for young readers focus on many tribes from around the state-the Tchefuncte, Choctaw, Chitimacha, Caddo, Houma, and Bayougoula.

Surveys the various groups of Indians, past and present, who occupied Louisiana, describing their history, customs, etc.

From the accounts of 18th-century travelers to the interpretations of 21st-century historians, Jumonville lists more than 6,800 books, chapters, articles, theses, dissertations, and government documents that describe the rich history of America's 18th state. Here are references to sources on the Louisiana Purchase, the Battle of New Orleans, Carnival, and Cajuns. Less-explored topics such as the rebellion of 1768, the changing roles of women, and civic development are also covered. It is a sweeping guide to the publications that best illuminate the land, the people, and the multifaceted history of the Pelican State. Arranged according to discipline and time period, chapters cover such topics as the environment, the Civil War and Reconstruction, social and cultural history, the people of Louisiana, local, parish, and sectional histories, and New Orleans. It also lists major historical sites and repositories of primary materials. As the only comprehensive bibliography of the secondary sources about the state, ^ILouisiana History^R is an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers.

This is a compendium of oral legends and tales passed down by various Algonquin Native American tribes.

This teeming compendium of tales assembles and classifies the abundant lore and storytelling prevalent in the French culture of southern Louisiana. This is the largest, most diverse, and best annotated collection of French-language tales ever published in the United States. Side by side are dual-language retellings--the Cajun French and its English translation--along with insightful commentaries. This volume reveals the long and lively heritage of the Louisiana folktale among French Creoles and Cajuns and shows how tale-telling in Louisiana through the years has remained vigorous and constantly changing. Some of the best storytellers of the present day are highlighted in biographical sketches and are identified by some of their best tales. Their repertory includes animal stories, magic stories, jokes, tall tales, Pascal (improvised) stories, and legendary tales--all of them colorful examples of Louisiana narrative at its best. Though greatly transformed since the French arrived on southern soil, the French oral tradition is alive and flourishing today. It is even more complex and varied than has been shown in previous studies, for revealed here are African influences as well as others that have been filtered from America's multicultural mainstream.

Seven authentic Native American tales, among them "The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds," "The Child of the Evening Star," and "The Boy Who Snared the Sun." 29 new illustrations.

Myths and stories of the Creek, Hitchiti, Alabama, Koasati, and Natchez Indians.

The Indians of America have justly been famous for their myths and legends. We have never heard of a tribe that did not have a store of them. Even the hardy Eskimo in his igloo of ice is surprisingly rich in folklore stories. A present of a knife or some other trifle that he desires will cause him to talk by the hour to his guest, whether he be the daring trader or adventurous explorer, on the traditions that have come down to him. The interchange of visits between the northern Indians and the Eskimos has resulted in the discovery that quite a number of the myths recited in Indian wigwams are in a measure, if not wholly, of Eskimo origin. On the other hand, the Eskimo has not failed to utilize and incorporate into his own rich store some that are undoubtedly of Indian origin.