indian boyhood(尤孩提时代)-第9章
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
II An Indian Boy's Training
IT is commonly supposed that there is no systematic education of their
children among the aborigines of this country。 Nothing could be farther
from the truth。 All the cus… toms of this primitive people were held to be
divinely instituted； and those in connec… tion with the training of children
were scrupulously adhered to and transmitted from one generation to
another。
The expectant parents conjointly bent all their efforts to the task of
giving the new…comer the best they could gather from a long line of
ancestors。 A pregnant Indian woman would often choose one of the
greatest characters of her family and tribe as a model for her child。 This
hero was daily called to mind。 She would gather from tradition all of his
noted deeds and daring exploits； rehearsing them to herself when alone。
In order that the impres… sion might be more distinct； she avoided
company。 She isolated herself as much as possible； and wan… dered in
solitude； not thoughtlessly； but with an eye to the impress given by grand
and beautiful scenery。
The Indians believed； also； that certain kinds of animals would confer
peculiar gifts upon the un… born； while others would leave so strong an
adverse impression that the child might become a monstros… ity。 A case
of hare…lip was commonly attributed to the rabbit。 It was said that a
rabbit had charmed the mother and given to the babe its own features。
Even the meat of certain animals was denied the pregnant woman； because
it was supposed to influ… ence the disposition or features of the child。
Scarcely was the embyro warrior ushered into the world； when he was
met by lullabies that speak of wonderful exploits in hunting and war。
Those ideas which so fully occupied his mother's mind before his birth are
now put into words by all about the child； who is as yet quite unresponsive
to their appeals to his honor and ambition。 He is called the future
defender of his people； whose lives may depend upon his courage and skill。
If the child is a girl； she is at once addressed as the future mother of a
noble race。
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In hunting songs； the leading animals are intro… duced； they come to
the boy to offer their bodies for the sustenance of his tribe。 The animals
are regarded as his friends； and spoken of almost as tribes of people； or as
his cousins； grandfathers and grandmothers。 The songs of wooing；
adapted as lullabies； were equally imaginative； and the suitors were often
animals personified； while pretty maid… ens were represented by the mink
and the doe。
Very early； the Indian boy assumed the task of preserving and
transmitting the legends of his an… cestors and his race。 Almost every
evening a myth； or a true story of some deed done in the past； was narrated
by one of the parents or grand… parents； while the boy listened with parted
lips and glistening eyes。 On the following evening； he was usually
required to repeat it。 If he was not an apt scholar； he struggled long with
his task； but； as a rule； the Indian boy is a good listener and has a good
memory； so that the stories were tolerably well mas… tered。 The household
became his audience； by which he was alternately criticized and ap…
plauded。
This sort of teaching at once enlightens the boy's mind and stimulates
his ambition。 His concep… tion of his own future career becomes a vivid
and irresistible force。 Whatever there is for him to learn must be learned；
whatever qualifications are necessary to a truly great man he must seek at
any expense of danger and hardship。 Such was the feeling of the
imaginative and brave young Indian。 It became apparent to him in early
life that he must accustom himself to rove alone and not to fear or dislike
the impression of solitude。
It seems to be a popular idea that all the char… acteristic skill of the
Indian is instinctive and hereditary。 This is a mistake。 All the stoicism
and patience of the Indian are acquired traits； and continual practice alone
makes him master of the art of wood…craft。 Physical training and dieting
were not neglected。 I remember that I was not allowed to have beef soup
or any warm drink。 The soup was for the old men。 General rules for
the young were never to take their food very hot； nor to drink much water。
My uncle； who educated me up to the age of fifteen years； was a strict
disciplinarian and a good teacher。 When I left the teepee in the morning；
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he would say： 〃Hakadah； look closely to everything you see〃； and at
evening； on my re… turn； he used often to catechize me for an hour or so。
〃On which side of the trees is the lighter…col… ored bark？ On which
side do they have most regular branches？〃
It was his custom to let me name all the new birds that I had seen
during the day。 I would name them according to the color or the shape of
the bill or their song or the appearance and locality of the nestin fact；
anything about the bird that impressed me as characteristic。 I made many
ridiculous errors； I must admit。 He then usually informed me of the
correct name。 Occasionally I made a hit and this he would warm… ly
commend。
He went much deeper into this science when I was a little older； that is；
about the age of eight or nine years。 He would say； for instance：
〃How do you know that there are fish in yonder lake？〃
〃Because they jump out of the water for flies at mid…day。〃
He would smile at my prompt but superficial reply。
〃What do you think of the little pebbles grouped together under the
shallow water？ and what made the pretty curved marks in the sandy
bottom and the little sand…banks？ Where do you find the fish…eating birds？
Have the in… let and the outlet of a lake anything to do with the question？〃
He did not expect a correct reply at once to all the voluminous
questions that he put to me on these occasions； but he meant to make me
observ… ant and a good student of nature。
〃Hakadah；〃 he would say to me； 〃you ought to follow the example of
the shunktokecha （wolf）。 Even when he is surprised and runs for his life；
he will pause to take one more look at you before he enters his final retreat。
So you must take a sec… ond look at everything you see。
〃It is better to view animals unobserved。 I have been a witness to
their courtships and their quarrels and have learned many of their secrets
in this way。 I was once the unseen spectator of a thrilling battle between
a pair of grizzly bears and three buffaloesa rash act for the bears； for it
was in the moon of strawberries； when the buffaloes sharpen and polish
their horns for b
