Book
The legend, myth and Code of Deganawidah and their significance to Iroquois cultural history
University Microfilms International • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Published In 1994 • Pages:
By: Selden, Sherman Ward.
Abstract
The material under study in this dissertation involves the legend of the 'culture hero' Deganaweda, the code of laws he is said to have formulated, and the myth that has grown up around him in the last century (p. 2). Selden believes that the combination of legend and laws have not only united the Iroquois tribes into a powerful league, but also have guided their behavior in both war and peace by specifically stating which actions are allowed and which are forbidden. This work is divided into three parts: the legend of Deganaweda and its many variants; the Code of Deganaweda which establishes the rules and regulations that have been transmitted orally for centuries but were not written down until the late nineteenth century; and the contemporary lore that clusters about Deganaweda and which was recorded by the author during his field work in 1963-1965.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1996
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Eastern Woodlands
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Folklorist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 1994
- Field Date
- 1963-1965
- Coverage Date
- variable
- Coverage Place
- various locations in New York State, United States and Ontario and Quebec, Canada
- Notes
- by Sherman W. Selden
- UM: 66-14,884
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-241)
- Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Indiana University, 1966
- LCSH
- Iroquois Indians