In ‘Contribution to Passamaquoddy Folk-Lore, ‘ Jesse Walter Fewkes embarks on an ethnographic exploration of the rich tapestry of stories, beliefs, and traditions that define the Passamaquoddy people. Utilizing a meticulous, descriptive approach, Fewkes delves into oral histories, rituals, and myths, offering a vivid portrayal of the community’s cultural heritage during the early 20th century. His scholarly work not only captures the essence of Passamaquoddy folklore but also situates it within a broader context of American indigenous studies, making significant contributions to the understanding of regional and cultural identity. As an American anthropologist and archaeologist, Fewkes possessed a keen interest in Native American cultures, which was shaped by his experiences in the field and his dedication to preservation and representation of indigenous narratives. His extensive fieldwork among the Passamaquoddy, alongside his academic credentials, equipped him with the necessary tools to document and analyze the intricate customs and stories he encountered, while advocating for the significance of these cultures in the American historical narrative. Readers interested in folklore, anthropology, or indigenous studies will find Fewkes’s work an invaluable resource. This book not only serves as a crucial record of Passamaquoddy tradition but also invites reflection on the importance of preserving cultural narratives in our increasingly homogenized world.
About the author
Jesse Walter Fewkes (1850-1930) was a preeminent American anthropologist, archaeologist, and ethnographer, distinguished by his extensive work with Native American cultures. Born on November 14, 1850, in Newton, Massachusetts, Fewkes was originally trained as a zoologist at Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1877. His early career in marine biology eventually gave way to his passion for anthropology and the study of indigenous cultures. After joining the Bureau of American Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution in 1895, Fewkes’s focus shifted to the Southwest United States, where he became an authority on the Hopi and their ceremonial practices. Fewkes’s deep respect and scholarly rigor led to significant contributions in the preservation of Native American traditional practices and languages. One of his noteworthy scholarly works includes ‘Contribution to Passamaquoddy Folk-Lore’ (1890), in which Fewkes compiled and analyzed the oral literature and folklore of the Passamaquoddy people, a Native American tribe in Maine. His work is considered a foundational text in the study of Native American folklore and serves as a testament to Fewkes’s dedication to meticulously chronicling and preserving indigenous narratives. Renowned for his application of emerging technologies in anthropological research, Fewkes was among the first to use a phonograph for recording Native American music and oral traditions. His extensive publications, detailing social customs, linguistics, and art, remain invaluable resources for the study of Native American history and culture. Fewkes’s influence reached well beyond his scholarly publications, shaping the development of American anthropology and setting a precedent for ethnographic fieldwork. He passed away on April 21, 1930, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering research and intercultural understanding.
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