Wisdom Sits In Places

Keith Basso

Wisdom Sits In Places

The Western Apache

Chapter Three: "Speaking with Names"

• Basso's work spanning from 1979-1984 in the Cibecue region
• published in 1996

• In addition to his research, Basso has created maps of the area for the Apache's use during the project.

• Book focuses on the importance of places and their names in Western Apache culture

• (1940-2013)
• Cultural and Linguistic Anthropologist
• Focused his work on the Apache
• started in 1959
• spent a lot of time in the field
• Studied the importance of language and locations to Apache

• Native American cultural group
• The subject of Basso's research
• The Apache studied are located in Cibecue, Arizona
• Known for valuing ancestors, tradition, and locations central to their history

• Dialect between Lola and Louis

• Basso's observations

• Place-names sometimes refer to a

form of criticism and reprimand

Historical Tales

• Historical tales focus on persons who suffer misfortune as the consequences of actions that violate Apache standards for acceptable social behavior.
• Historical tales have the power to change people's ideas about themselves

Speech

• Classified into 3 major forms: 'ordinary talk', 'prayer' and narrative stories.
• narratives are classified into 4 major and 2 minor genres: myths, historical tales, sagas and gossip, the minor:coyote stories and seductive tales

Chapter One: "Quoting the Answers"

"Place-making"

Place-names

• The place names keep you from badness because they relate places to stories
• They believe they help you live right

• Chapter 1 discusses
• central locations to the Apache culture in Cibeque
• Influence of place on Apache life
• What these places mean to the Apache

• Major aspect of Apache culture

• Place-making is the attachment and recollection of stories to specific landscapes.
• Stories contain morals, tales of ancestors, lessons, creation myths

• Majority of the book revolves around this idea

• Basso is studying various Apache locations and landscapes for his mapping project

• Guided by Apache men, Charles Henry and Morely Cromwell

• Goal is to understand the landscape and cultural significance to the Apache

Chapter Four: "Wisdom Sits in Places"

• Places do not inherently "contain" wisdom
• Every object generates its own field of meaning
• Lessons
• Memories
• Ideas
• Perceptions change over time
• Tree off of Trail

Chapter Two: "Stalking with Stories"

Chapter two discusses

• Place-names
• How the Apache classify speech
• Nick Thompson tells us a narrative

Chapter Four: "Wisdom Sits in Places"

• A place is merely a setting for memories
• Objects
• Landmarks
• Stories of the places
• The "Wisdom" is experience of travelers
• Growing with distance
• Through experience one becomes wise

Thank for giving us your time.

Questions?

Wisdom Sits In Places

Landscape and Language Among the Western Apache

Keith H. Basso

Presented by Michael Trycieckyj, Nathalie Roberg, Stephanie Sywensky, Colin Schnupp, Kyle Burdack, Kaitlyn Buckley, McLean Dougherty, Kathleen Hinkle