Songs of the Tewa: American Indian Home Songs, Sacred Chants, Ceremonial Songs, Magic Songs and Prayers

For centuries the American Indian literary tradition was primarily an oral one. Written languages were rare among native North and South American cultures due to a social reliance on passing vital traditional stories, laws and history through spoken word, poetry and song.

Herbert Joseph Spinden collected and translated these American Indian Home Songs, Scared Chants, Ceremonial Songs, Magic Songs and Prayers circa 1933. The songs included are of that period and his translations of Tewa ritual and secular songs are from an external perspective and with sensitivity to Tewa culture. This edition includes an early introductory essay and scholarly notes by Dr. Spinden, early photographs of the Tewa from the collection of Mrs. Spinden, and a preface by Alice Marriott.

Paperback 144 pages