Ishi, The Last of His Tribe by Theodora Kroeber Essay -- Theodora Kro

Ishi, the Last of His Tribe by Theodora Kroeber Chapter 1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This book begins when it's main character Ishi is just thirteen years of age. He is one of the remaining Yahi Indians in the world. The people in his tribe now living are Ishi, grandfather and grandmother, Tushi, Timawi, his mother and his father. They have been hiding from the Saldu, white men as the Yahi called them. This chapter had much to do with the Harvest Season. We know this season as autumn. They had to hunt and forage for many items to survive through the winter. We are taken to Ishi's secret place where he goes to think. This place is known as Black Rock. They Yahi have spent most of their lives hiding from the white men or Saldu, as the Yahi call them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The winter the Yahi go through is not that tough because they are so well prepared for it. They listen to grandfather tell the story of creation time after time. Ishi loves to hear this and he listens to how his father was killed by the Saldu. The rest of this section explains how Ishi is growing up and becoming a man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Spring is beginning and the Yahi are busy at work. Ishi is now becoming a wasani or a real man. He learns to fish and he learns how to hunt dear with the help of Timawi. The biggest challenge of this is to leave no trail of the killing for the Saldu to trace back to the tribe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The summer season is very successful and the Yahi are thriving in their environment as much as possible. Timawi and Ishi want to attack the Saldu but are held back by Elder Uncle. Chapter 2 Chapter two begins with Ishi going on a trek to become a man. On this trek, he will visit many of the religious sites including, where he was born, where his father was killed and where his father was buried. He returns from the trek and is declared a real man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the main conflicts in the story is from the refusing of Tushi to make a sweat grass bracelet for Timawi. This is almost like a wedding ring for the Yahi. Timawi is upset but he tries his hardest not to show it. Ishi and Tushi go somewhere to discuss the whole situation and when they do, Ishi notices that a Saldu is aiming to lasso Tushi. Ishi whips out the bow and arrow and skillfully shoots the Saldu in the hand. He tells the others about the incident and they all know that they must move for they will be coming to kill them all off shortly.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  They must go... ...to perspective for him. He finally got to understand that he was the last one left. If he did not share anything and everything he knew about his tribe, they would perish forever.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ishi has a flashback of Tushi. He realizes how much he misses her and it reminds him of the good times he used to have with her. He realizes he is lonelier than he has ever been. Ishi is soon given his quiver and knife back from an anonymous source. He does not know who it is but believes it to be the work of Jupka or Kaltsuna.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ishi later gives the two people he has become closet with the chance to take the Purification Prayer. They both take place in the ceremony and they realize what a privilege it is to have this. They are given the opportunity to go fishing like the Yahi and they went to the sacred ground where the last of the Yahi lived they last days of their lives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ishi soon passed away. He was given the proper burial that a yahi deserves. He was buried with all the things he would be needing in the Land of the Living. It was a tough time for the Doctor and his son. They said prayers for a man who changed their lives and everyone's who would be following, present and future.