Question 1

A disadvantage of studying a written version of a myth instead of an oral one is that _____________________.

Accepted Answer

Studying a written version of a myth instead of an oral one means the myth is no longer subject to the variations and adaptations that come with each telling, effectively "fossilizing" it in a fixed form.

Question 2

Diné bahane' is the creation myth of the _________________.

Accepted Answer

Diné bahane' is the creation myth of the Navajo people. It outlines their beliefs regarding the creation of the world and the origins of the Navajo.

Question 3

A motif common to the Native American myths we have read is ________________.

Accepted Answer

Many Native American myths describe the first creatures as prehuman beings that originate from below ground, symbolizing emergence into the world.

Question 4

Ruth Benedict's theory of cultural relativism is important in studying mythology because _______________________________________________________________________.

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativism emphasizes understanding cultures on their own terms, which is crucial for interpreting mythological texts within the context of the culture that produced them.

Question 5

Corn Mountain and Where the Cotton Hangs, points of reference in the Zuni Emergence myth, are _______________________________________________________________________.

Accepted Answer

Corn Mountain and Where the Cotton Hangs are indeed real locations that hold sacred significance to the Zuni people today, reflecting their cultural and spiritual beliefs tied to their Emergence myth.

Question 6

The two young boys who lead their primitive people upward to the fourth world are sons of ________________________.

Accepted Answer

The two young boys are considered to be the sons of the Sun in various Native American mythologies, particularly in stories from tribes such as the Navajo. This reflects their important roles in these cultures' creation myths and their journey to the upper world.

Question 7

The boys in the Zuni Emergence myth made ______________ from branches of aspen, pine, spruce, and silver spruce.

Accepted Answer

In the Zuni Emergence myth, the boys made prayersticks from branches of aspen, pine, spruce, and silver spruce. These prayersticks are significant in various Native American cultures for ceremonial purposes and communication with the spiritual world.

Question 8

In the Zuni Emergence myth, sunflowers and buttercups originated from _______________________________.

Accepted Answer

In the Zuni Emergence myth, sunflowers and buttercups are said to have originated from the tears of the people who were blinded by the light as they emerged into the fourth world. This mythological explanation reflects the Zuni's spiritual connection with nature and the origins of various elements in their environment.

Question 9

_________________________ helped the people in the Zuni Emergence myth to find the middle, where they were to live.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _________________________ helped the people in the Zuni...

Question 10

In the Hopi Creation Story, the sun and moon are created by _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the Hopi Creation Story, the sun...

Question 11

_________________ is the major "helper" and "donor" in the Hopi Creation Story.

Accepted Answer

Spider Grandmother plays a significant role in the Hopi Creation Story as a central figure who helps in the creation and guiding of life.

Question 12

The Air-Spirit People are rejected by the One That Grabs Things in the Water, Frog, Blue Heron, and Winter Thunder because they ______________________________________________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Air-Spirit People are rejected by the...

Question 13

In Diné bahane', the Air-Spirit people had to leave the world of the Swallow people because they had misbehaved again, and also because _________________________.

Accepted Answer

The Air-Spirit people had to leave the world of the Swallow people because there was not enough food to support both groups, indicating a scarcity of resources as a reason for their departure.

Question 14

Of the following colors, only _____________ is NOT the designation of one of the Navajo four worlds.

Accepted Answer

In Navajo mythology, the four worlds are associated with specific colors: black, blue, yellow, and white. Red is not one of these colors.

Question 15

In the Navajo creation myth, the creatures are always able to get to the next world because ___________________.

Accepted Answer

In the Navajo creation myth, the creatures are able to progress to the next world with the assistance of a native from the current world they inhabit. This guidance is a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of help and guidance from those who are familiar with the surroundings.

Question 16

The most striking feature of the fourth world for the new arrivals was ___________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most striking feature of the fourth...

Question 17

During the ritual in which the Holy People created humans, the ears of corn wrapped in the buckskin were transformed to living humans via the _______________________.

Accepted Answer

The Navajo creation story describes how the wind blew life into the ears of corn wrapped in buckskin, transforming them into the first humans.

Question 18

Axtell notes that Iroquois women were in control of_______________________________________.

Accepted Answer

Iroquois women were primarily responsible for agriculture and managing the food supply, playing a crucial role in their society's sustenance and economic stability.

Question 19

In a Tale of the Sky World, ________________________________________________.

Accepted Answer

In the story, humans exist in the Sky World but have not yet descended to Earth.

Question 20

In Woodlands mythology, the turtle represents all of the following EXCEPT _______________________.

Accepted Answer

In Woodlands mythology, the turtle is a symbol for Mother Earth, wisdom, and peace, but not specifically for prosperity.

Quiz 8: North America: Stories From the Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo Southwest; and From the Iroquois League Northeastern Woodlands