Native American Songs and Poems
... It is widely assumed that Native Americans didn’t have any alphabet and thus, no written literature. ... Their songs and poems had been preserved and distorted throughout all this period of time. In spite of the difficulties, which accompany translation of Indian songs and poems their authentic meaning didn’t changed at all. ... Native American songs and poems represent poetry, which is difficult to understand and assimilate by people living outside the tribal culture. ... The technologies, economies, languages and political systems of American Indian people were as diverse as far their European counterparts. American Indian history, before European contact, was as exciting as those of other nations. For these reasons it is impossible to identify one "American Indian culture. ... The traditional Native American poems and songs were usually created for tribal occasions such as weddings, healings ceremonies and planting or hunting rituals. The songs were used to present the tribal history, standarts of ethical conduct and religious beliefs. Usually the songs were rhythmically chanted or sung in a tribal context to drums or other musical accompaniment. ... Many songs were good medicine, others were morale builders sung before battles.