Native American literature reflects deep cultural roots, emphasizing tribal identity, community values, and oral traditions. These works preserve ancestral wisdom, passing down crucial lessons through storytelling, myths, and legends that have endured for generations.

Spiritual beliefs play a central role, focusing on harmony with nature and cyclical time. Many stories explore interconnectedness between humans and the environment, using animal symbolism and natural elements to convey important teachings about balance and respect.

Cultural Worldview

Identity and Values

• Native American literature reflects a strong sense of cultural identity rooted in tribal affiliations and shared histories
• Tribal values such as community, cooperation, and respect for elders are central themes in many works
• Literature serves as a means of preserving and transmitting ancestral wisdom from one generation to the next
• Oral storytelling traditions play a crucial role in maintaining cultural identity and passing down important lessons (creation stories, trickster tales)

Oral History and Preservation

• Native American literature has its roots in rich oral storytelling traditions that predate written language
• Oral histories, myths, and legends are carefully preserved and shared within tribes to maintain cultural continuity
• Storytelling serves as a means of education, entertainment, and cultural transmission (origin stories, cautionary tales)
• Contemporary Native American writers often incorporate elements of oral tradition into their written works to honor and preserve their heritage (Leslie Marmon Silko, N. Scott Momaday)

Spiritual Beliefs

Harmony and Balance

• Native American literature often reflects a deep sense of spirituality that emphasizes harmony and balance in all aspects of life
• Many works explore the idea that all living beings, including humans, animals, and plants, are interconnected and must coexist in equilibrium
• Disrupting the natural balance is seen as a source of conflict and suffering (environmental destruction, loss of traditional ways)
• Ceremonies and rituals are often depicted as means of restoring harmony and balance (prayer, offerings, dances)

Cyclical Time and Renewal

• Native American worldviews often conceive of time as cyclical rather than linear, with patterns of birth, death, and renewal repeating endlessly
• This cyclical understanding of time is reflected in many works, particularly those dealing with themes of regeneration and transformation (seasonal cycles, life stages)
• Spiritual practices and ceremonies are often tied to cyclical events such as solstices, equinoxes, and lunar phases
• Literature explores how honoring these cycles helps maintain balance and connection with the natural world (planting and harvesting rituals, coming-of-age ceremonies)

Relationship with Nature

Interconnectedness and Respect

• Native American literature consistently emphasizes the deep interconnectedness between humans and the natural world
• Many works depict nature as a living entity to be respected and cherished rather than a resource to be exploited
• Animals, plants, and natural features are often imbued with spiritual significance and seen as teachers or guides (animal totems, sacred landscapes)
• Literature explores the consequences of failing to respect and live in harmony with nature (environmental degradation, loss of traditional knowledge)

Symbolism and Teachings

• Animals and natural elements often serve as powerful symbols in Native American literature, representing specific qualities, lessons, or spiritual truths
• Common animal symbols include eagles (wisdom, vision), bears (strength, healing), and coyotes (cleverness, adaptability)
• Natural features such as mountains, rivers, and forests are often depicted as sacred spaces imbued with spiritual energy
• Literature uses these symbols to convey important teachings about living in balance, respecting all life, and honoring one's place in the web of creation (Navajo sand paintings, Lakota medicine wheels)