An investigation into the symbol of Native heritage. In Ojibwe (or Chippewa in the United States) culture a dream catcher is a hand-crafted willow hoop with woven netting that is decorated with sacred and personal items such as feathers and beads. The Native American tradition of making dream catchers--hoops hung by the Ojibwe on their children's cradleboards to "catch" bad dreams--is rich in history and tradition. Although the exact genesis of this intriguing artifact is unknown; legend has it that a medicine woman forms a circle from a willow branch and; with sinew; borrows the pattern from a spider; weaves a web; and hangs it over the bed of a sick child who recovers by morning. In some versions dream catchers catch good dreams and let bad ones through; while others catch bad dreams and let good dreams through. This legend accompanies dream catchers offered for sale across North America and beyond. These themes; among others; are carried throughout this book which explores the appropriation of dream catchers by Native Americans of different nations; as well as the New Age movement. Dream Catchers also discusses the blending of two religious philosophies whereby Native and Christian icons are mixed. More than 40 color photographs feature contemporary dream catchers and artifacts with informative captions that identify and comment on the different patterns; their significance and history. Dream Catchers features the work of Native artist Nick Huard who creates dream catchers in his studio in Kahnawake outside of Montreal.
#646370 in Books BLOOMSBURY 2016-11-15 2016-11-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.38 x .4 x 6.43l; .0 #File Name: 1632866013256 pagesBLOOMSBURY
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. engaging and easy to readBy KenWell written; engaging and easy to read.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy Sam HaddonMore historical detail - less comparative analysis than expected.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The burning bushBy Hande ZChristians swear by the Bible; but what is in the Bible today (in its many translations) do not say exactly the same thing. Freedman’s book is an account of how we got to where we are. The stories in the Bible began long before paper or writing. Freedman tells us that the first Bible translation was linked to the history of the Library of Alexandria; 300 years BCE. Ptolemy I built the greatest library in the world and to make it so demanded visitors to surrender every book to the library; retaining a copy for themselves. The first translation was by Jews but in the Greek language because the diaspora Jews were illiterate in Hebrew. That was the Septuagint translation. The full account is fascinating and illuminating.From that; the next major translation was in Latin; partly as a result of the decline of Hellenism. This was the Vulgate Bible. Interspersed between the two are the accounts of the political and theological struggles that helped lead to the Vulgate translation.Then came Martin Luther and his fight with the Catholic Church. He translated the Bible into German and it became a popular book; making lots of businessmen rich publishing and selling it – without paying any royalty to Luther; as Freeman pointed out. Then on the Anglo-Saxon front; came the Wycliffe translation and the Puritans’ version known as the Geneva Bible. The Puritans were deeply Calvinists and their translation (which was the one the pilgrims took to America) reflected their differences.The saddest story is that of William Tyndale; the man who defied the Church and King and translated the Bible into English (‘So that the boy behind the plough will know as the Bible as well as you – his reply to the bishops when they demanded why he was doing it). Tyndale’s translation was the foundation of the King James Version (which retained about 70% of Tyndale’s translation). Tyndale was burnt at the stake (with his Bibles) as a heretic and the Lord Chancellor who saw to that; Thomas More; was canonised as a saint.Freeman then discuses many other translations including the German translation by Moses Mendelsohn; the distinctive American translation of Noah Webster; and the first translation by a woman – Julia Smith. Then there was the Catholic response; when a group of French Dominicans in Jerusalem translated the Bible into French; known as the Jerusalem Bible. It was translated into English with consultations with the author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’; J R R Tolkien for style. A later revised edition made the Jerusalem Bible one of the most popular Catholic Bibles today.Freedman’s book is a thought-provoking book and ought to raise questions regarding those who claim that the Bible is the inerrant word of God; and those who claim that it is a work of man inspired by God. It also leads one to understand why the Bible; which contains so many stories; letters; and teachings became a closed book with no new chapters; new letters; and new stories incorporated into it. When; in other words; did God say ‘Stop’?
