Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend (Folklore)

Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend, told and illustrated by Donald F. Montileaux, 

Lakota translation by Agnes Gay 

(Folklore/Primary reader)

In this beautiful story from the tradition of the Lakota people, a warrior goes out hunting and tracks a strange new animal, the horse. Through his patience, skill, and the blessing of the Great Spirit, the warrior brings the horse to his people, but their new power makes them greedy, taking land and resources from other tribes; the Great Spirit must intervene once more.

This book is part of the folklore genre which is characterized by straightforward storytelling with simple plot, one-dimensional characters, and vague setting (Galda, 2010, p. 184). In Tasunka, the plot follows a clear arc: a warrior is out hunting; he discovers and tames a new animal (the horse); he brings the horse to his people; the people abuse the gift of the horse; the Great Spirit sees this and takes away the gift of the horse; the people understand what they did wrong; many years later, the Great Spirit forgives the people and brings the horse back to them. The warrior embodies stereotypical qualities of a warrior: he is brave and determined. The setting is simply described as “the plains” or “a wooded area” (Montileaux, 2014). The language is descriptive, but direct, maintaining the quality of oral storytelling from which folklore originated. Tasunka also has qualities of a myth, explaining part of a culture’s past and giving context to the role of horses in a tribe’s way of life. The story contains lessons and themes for the Native Americans from this tradition as well as for the rest of humanity about greed; living together; forgiveness; and respecting the land, animals, and our fellow humans.

The book is written in both English and Lakota, honoring its origins. The illustrations are likewise respectful and indicative of the legend’s origins. Montileaux has employed the ledger-drawing style of his ancestors to create the book’s images (Montileaux, 2014). With a strong and suggestive sense of shape, color, and movement, the full-page and double-page scenes pull readers into the world of the legend.

ACTIVITIES:

1.     Find an audio recording of the book being read in Lakota so that students can hear the story in its native tongue. As you listen, have children examine the illustrations on the corresponding pages. This will give them a different sense of the story-telling role of the illustrations.

2.     This book contains symbols and patterns in many of the illustrations. Have students identify images they think may have significance in the Lakota tradition and then help them learn about the meaning behind the images and illustrations. Have students think about what symbols and practices have meaning in their own life and draw connections between the two. This could also be paired with a lesson on ledger-style drawing used to create the illustrations.

Both activities align with the Saint Leo Core Value of Respect because they encourage students to learn about and appreciate a different culture. By seeking to understand what has meaning for a group of people of different cultural heritage, we recognize that all that our diversity should be celebrated and that even in our diversity, we are united by many common values.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:

1.     What lessons/themes did you hear in the story? How do they apply to your own life?

2.     What is the Great Spirit’s role in the story?

Folklore is such a wonderful way to introduce children to literature and the stories of other cultures. For this reason, I love that this book is written in two languages and utilizes traditional techniques in the illustrations. This is also a great example of non-fairy tale folklore to share with children. By reading many different kinds of folklore, children will quickly come to recognize its familiar structure and enjoy being able to follow plots and anticipate the lessons being presented. I would recommend this book for use in the classroom and for reading at home.

References

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA:
            Wadsworths, Inc.

Montileaux, D. F., & Gay, A. (2014). Tasunka a Lakota horse legend. Pierre, SD: South Dakota

State Historical Society Press.

Both images from: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2014/06/donald-f-montileauxs-tasunka-lakota.html