These gripping and powerful prose narratives relate monumental events in the lives of the forebears of Tlingit clans; from the prehistoric migration to the coast of Southeast Alaska to the first contact with Europeans. The stories were recorded from the 1960s to the present by twelve tradition bearers who where passing down for future generations the accounts of haa shuka; which means “our ancestors.†Their narratives tell of the origin of social and spiritual concepts and explain the complex relationships among members of a given clan to their relatives in other clans; to spirits of the land where the vents took place; to the spirits of departed ancestors; and to the spirits of various animals; including killer whale and bear.The focus here is on the stories and story tellers themselves; who lived amazingly different lives; reflecting in a small way the complexity of Tlingit life in the twentieth century; a period characterized by unprecedented political; economic; and social change. The stories were told in Tlingit and then transcribed from the tape recorded versions. The editors have attempted to write these stories the way they were told; and to then translate them into English keeping the unique Tlingit oral style.This book will be of interest to the general reader of Native American literature and comparative literature; as well as to folklorists; linguists; and anthropologists. Of special interest to linguist will be the new texts (transcribed in three different Tlingit dialects) containing many hitherto unattested grammatical forms.
#2970142 in Books 2011-05-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .94 x 6.00l; 1.04 #File Name: 0292728832320 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great case studies of two important countriesBy political science researcherTezcur's book is a good introduction to the basic elements of moderate Muslim political movements. His personal research in Iran and Turkey has resulted in a wealth of information based on public opinion; interviews; electoral results; local publications and demographic data. He addresses the historical development of two moderate Muslim reform movements while including an analysis of recent political dynamics in the two countries. Both the Justice and Development Party of Turkey and the Reform Front (initially led by President Khatami) in Iran; are currently important political players. By framing these two movements within the greater research tradition on religion and democracy Tezcur addresses their development; goals; success and failures. For those interested in understanding political Islam on the ground; this book is a must read.
