The Dawn of the World Myths and Tales of the Miwok Indians of California

The Dawn of the World is a book that delves into the myths and tales of the Miwok Indians of California. Written by C. Hart Merriam, a renowned American ethnographer and biologist, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the Miwok people's beliefs and traditions, as well as their relationship with the natural world.The book is divided into two parts, the first of which focuses on the creation myths of the Miwok people. These stories describe how the world was created and how humans came to inhabit it. They also provide insights into the Miwok people's spiritual beliefs and their understanding of the natural world.The second part of the book is a collection of Miwok tales, which cover a wide range of topics, including animal stories, trickster tales, and legends of heroes and villains. These stories offer a glimpse into the Miwok people's daily life, their social structure, and their relationship with neighboring tribes.Throughout the book, Merriam provides detailed commentary and analysis of the stories, helping readers to better understand their cultural and historical significance. He also includes photographs, illustrations, and maps to provide additional context and enhance the reader's understanding of the Miwok people and their traditions.Overall, The Dawn of the World is a fascinating and informative book that offers a unique perspective on the Miwok Indians of California and their rich cultural heritage. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American history, mythology, and folklore.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.