Trickster Tales of Southeastern Native Americans - by Terry L Norton (Paperback)

About the Book

"An agent of chaos and deceit, the trickster has been a favorite character type in stories spanning thousands of years and multiple peoples. From legends belonging to Native Americans such as the Creek, Natchez, Seminole and Catawba, to tales borrowed from Africa and Europe, this work has compiled 73 trickster tales into one volume. Beginning with Creek tales, this work continues with a blend of Native American and African American folktales, organized according to the indigenous people who told them. These stories include the American Southeast's most notorious trickster, Rabbit; his gullible victims such as Alligator, Wildcat and Wolf; and other tricksters such as Buzzard, Pig, Possum and more."--

Book Synopsis

An agent of chaos and deceit, the trickster has been a favorite character spanning thousands of years and multiple peoples. From legends belonging to Native Americans such as the Creek, Natchez, Seminole and Catawba, to tales borrowed from Africa and Europe, this work discusses 73 trickster tales.

Beginning with Creek tales, this book continues with a blend of Native American and African American folktales, organized according to the indigenous people who told them. These stories include the American Southeast's most notorious trickster, Rabbit; his gullible victims such as Alligator, Wildcat and Wolf; and other tricksters such as Buzzard, Pig, Possum and more.

Review Quotes

"Norton has produced a collection of trickster tales from Indigenous cultures in the Southeastern U.S., including Creek, Natchez, Cherokee, and Catawba; chapters are arranged by cultural origin. An interesting feature is the interweaving of stories between Indigenous and African American traditions, as both traditions employ trickster rabbits.... The author also provides historical sketches of the Indigenous nations included in the book and discusses various perspectives on the retelling of their stories by non-Indigenous people.... This fine collection of Indigenous stories from Southeastern U.S. tribes adds a cultural depth to folklore collections, fitting for both scholarly anthropology as well as for use in classrooms."-Library Journal

About the Author

Terry L. Norton is a professor emeritus of education at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he taught courses in literacy education and children's and adolescent literature. He lives in Rock Hill.