In The Humanistic Tradition the author Gloria Fiero asserts that the African and Native American folk traditions share many similarities. One of the most comparable traditions between the African and Native American cultures would be the similarity they share in the art of mask creation. Fiero states, “Dance masks and clan helmets- which, like African masks, draw on the natural elements of wood, human hair and teeth, animal fur, and feathers (Fiero, Pg. 456).” This comparison by Fiero allows the resemblance of the two cultures masks making process to be identified as one that is very similar to one another as they seem to use almost identical elements for their mask decorations. Furthermore another distinctive tradition that the two cultures
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The first legend known as the Possum presents himself as a confident warrior that will accomplish the goal of capturing the sun. The Possum is sure that his “fine big bushy tail” will be the ideal place to hide the sun and bring it back home (Fiero, Pg. 459). However that is not the case and the Possums overconfidence results in him burning his tail fur off. The second hero to attempt the task is the Buzzard who presents himself as a proud character who believes he can do a better job than the Possum. He claims that he has “better sense than to hide it on my tail” and decides to put it the sun on his head however he ironically has the same results as the Possum and ends up burning off the feathers on his head (Fiero, Pg. 459). The last hero to give it a try is the Grandmother Spider who humbly decides to try to obtain the sun even if it means she will die in the process. Surprisingly the Grandmother Spider who is seen as the underdog due to her size and lack of speed is the one that successfully brings part of the sun back to the others making her the true hero of the tale. Thus allowing the tale to teach a lesson to its audience which in this case is that women are just as capable if not even more qualified to do a certain
The first legend known as the Possum presents himself as a confident warrior that will accomplish the goal of capturing the sun. The Possum is sure that his “fine big bushy tail” will be the ideal place to hide the sun and bring it back home (Fiero, Pg. 459). However that is not the case and the Possums overconfidence results in him burning his tail fur off. The second hero to attempt the task is the Buzzard who presents himself as a proud character who believes he can do a better job than the Possum. He claims that he has “better sense than to hide it on my tail” and decides to put it the sun on his head however he ironically has the same results as the Possum and ends up burning off the feathers on his head (Fiero, Pg. 459). The last hero to give it a try is the Grandmother Spider who humbly decides to try to obtain the sun even if it means she will die in the process. Surprisingly the Grandmother Spider who is seen as the underdog due to her size and lack of speed is the one that successfully brings part of the sun back to the others making her the true hero of the tale. Thus allowing the tale to teach a lesson to its audience which in this case is that women are just as capable if not even more qualified to do a certain