TY - BOOK AU - Vennum,Thomas TI - Lacrosse legends of the first Americans SN - 9780801886287 (hardcover : alk. paper) AV - E98.F6 V46 2007 U1 - 796.34/708997 22 PY - 2007/// CY - Baltimore PB - Johns Hopkins University Press KW - Indians of North America KW - Folklore KW - Sports KW - Lacrosse KW - United States KW - History KW - Legends KW - History and criticism N1 - Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-162) and index; Animals as Star Players -- Game Equipment from the Upper World -- Wagers and Warriors -- Tricksters and Culture Heroes -- Trees to Stop the Action N2 - An ancient Native American sport, lacrosse was originally played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, and develop strong, virile men. In Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans, Thomas Vennum draws on centuries of oral tradition to collect thirteen legends from five tribes -- the Cherokee, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Seneca, Ojibwa, and Menominee. Reflecting the game's origins and early history, these myths provide a glimpse into Native American life and the role of "the Creator's Game" in tribal culture. From the Great Game in which the Birds defeated the Quadrupeds to high-stakes contests after which the losers literally lost their heads, these stories reveal the fascinating spiritual world of the first lacrosse players as well as the violent reality of the original sport. Lacrosse enthusiasts will learn about game equipment, ritual preparations, dress, and style of play, from stick handling to scoring. They will discover how the "coach" -- a medicine man -- conjured potions to prevent game injuries or make the opponent's leg cramp, as well as how early craftsmen identified the perfect tree -- marked by a lightning strike -- from which to carve a lacrosse stick. The game is no longer played by large numbers of men on mile-long fields, and plastic, titanium, and nylon have replaced hickory and ash, leather, and catgut. As lacrosse continues to evolve, this collection will help us remember and understand its rich and complex history ER -