The Lost Universe: Pawnee Life and Culture

Although its title suggests that Pawnee culture as documented in this fascinating account is "lost", the fact we can still read the book means perhaps such is not the case. This work is encyclopedic and painstakingly detailed in its description of every aspect of Pawnee life and social relationships. Often there is cynicism regarding white anthropologists' study of Indigenous cultures (I am making an assumption that Mr. Weltfish is a white anthropologist). However, sometimes books are the only way to access this knowledge, and the vast majority of these efforts indicate a tremendous respect, awe, and even wistful appreciation of the Indigenous way of life as found in various tribes. To me, the very title suggests a deep, mournful regret on the part of the author that the society he documents could be a thing of the past. I would argue this is not the case: as long as we can access this knowledge through surviving elders of tribes, the archeological record, and the books even of white witnesses, then such a way of life is not indeed gone forever. The knowledge contained in this book is still applicable today. Methods of hunting, crop raising, food storage, and the inherent wisdom and respect of human relationships as described in this book, are a treasure we can still use to enrich our lives. Despite its density and sometimes dated use of language, this is not a difficult book to read. The glimpse it offers of a time when people lived as partners of, rather than as the enemy of, nature, is so compelling you will find it difficult to put down. Such books are classics and can be read over and over without any lessening of interest. If you never read another book about an Indigenous culture, read this one. The Pawnee universe is NOT lost!

Author Gene Weltfish has written an irreplaceable book of fast disappearing memories of a time gone by for an Indian tribe overwhelmed and nearly driven extinct by European culture. The Pawnee were a numerous and important tribe living in Nebraska and Kansas when first discovered by the White Man. They were noted for their elaborate ceremonial rituals related to the motions of heavenly bodies and, less favorably, for their occasional sacrifice of a captive child to their Morning Star diety.Weltfish describes in great detail the Morning Star sacrifice ceremony as well as all other events taking place during a year in the life of a Pawnee village. She spoke Pawnee and gathered her material from discussions with elderly Pawnees who still remembered the old days. We are given superb descriptions of how the Pawnee hunted buffalo, grew corn, made tipis, and the rituals and customs that accompanied each act.If there is an aspect of Plains Indian culture you would like to explore, Weltfish is a good place to look for specific information. For example, She describes how buffalo meat was dried and packed into bundles for transport, of the uses made of wild plants, of the products the Pawnee made for themselves of wood, reed, grasses, and tanned hides. We learn, for example, how a tipi was erected and an earth lodge was repaired. A final chapter is a rather odd excursion into the modern world -- the book was written in the 1960s -- to apply lessons the author learned from the Pawnee.This book should be on the shelves of anyone interested in the culture and life of North American Indians.Smallchief

Author Gene Weltfish has written an irreplaceable book of fast disappearing memories of a time gone by for an Indian tribe overwhelmed and nearly driven extinct by European culture. The Pawnee were a numerous and important tribe living in Nebraska and Kansas when first discovered by the White Man. They were noted for their elaborate ceremonial rituals related to the motions of heavenly bodies and, less favorably, for their occasional sacrifice of a captive child to their Morning Star diety.Weltfish describes in great detail the Morning Star sacrifice ceremony as well as all other events taking place during a year in the life of a Pawnee village. She gathered her material from discussions with elderly Pawnees who still remembered the old days. We are given superb descriptions of how the Pawnee hunted buffalo, grew corn, made tipis, and the rituals and customs that accompanied each act.If there is an aspect of Plains Indian culture you would like to explore, Weltfish is a good place to look for specific information. For example, She describes how buffalo meat was dried and packed into bundles for transport, of the uses made of wild plants, of the products the Pawnee made for themselves of wood, reed, grasses, and tanned hides. We learn, for example, how a tipi was erected and an earth lodge was repaired. A final chapter is a rather odd excursion into the modern world -- the book was written in the 1960s -- to apply lessons the author learned from the Pawnee.This book should be on the shelves of anyone interested in the culture and life of North American Indians.Smallchief

Disappointed.

This is one of the best books ever written on native societies by any anthropologist. Gene Weltfish writes engagingly, and her conclusions throughout the book are strikingly insightful. A college teacher of mine assigned this book when I was an undergraduate, and I've used quotes from it in almost every class I've taught - in both universities and public seminars. It's an amazing work.

Thorough and readable

Dr Weltfish was an anthropology instructor when I went to college. When she was 20 She moved from NY and lived with the PAWNEE Indians for 8 years,. this is an excellent and accurate story about her experience with the Pawnee and learning their culture.

The Pawnee way of life was much more than smoking the peace pipe around the fire and hunting buffalo. I was amazed on every page of their intricate way of life and religious rites. Absolutely stunning!