Explanation:
SummaryAnalysis
At this point, the book takes on a structure of narration that alternates between the voice of tribal lore, the voice of historical commentary, and the voice of personal memory. It opens with the voice of the tribe, telling the Kiowa creation story, which is that the Kiowas emerged into the world from a hollow log. There were originally more Kiowas, but a pregnant woman got stuck in the log and afterwards no more Kiowas could come into the world, as they were trapped behind her. The voice of history then takes over and explains several early names for the Kiowas, two of which meant “coming out” and one that referred to differing halves, a reference to the hairstyle of Kiowa warriors. This third name, “gaigwu,” is where “Kiowa” likely comes from (“Kiowa” is probably the Comanche pronunciation of “gaigwu”). The voice of personal memory then describes the northern plains, the ancestral land of the Kiowas, emphasizing the way in which all the natural features seem whole and perfect.
An interesting part of the Kiowa creation story is that it is defined by mishap: a pregnant woman got stuck in the hollow log, preventing many Kiowas from entering the world. Reality being shaped by accident rather than deliberate action is a common thread in many Kiowa stories (as in many other myths as well). This resonates with the structure of the book’s narration, which is non-linear and therefore does not place particular importance on the cause and effect of actions over time. In addition, the fact that the word “Kiowa” is actually a Comanche mispronunciation of a Kiowa word is a fitting symbol of the centrality of the influence of other cultures to the Kiowa.
THEMES
Language and Storytelling Theme Icon Origins, Linearity, and Circularity Theme Icon Mixing of Cultures Theme Icon
