In the second micro lecture, I was shown examples that broaden what I consider to be text. I was introduced to new types of storytelling throughout the various indigenous cultures. When looking at the different types of storytelling, specifically Long Dog's Buffalo Robe, Michelle brought up the point of how the multimodality presented in these robes is quite similar to the present day. This surprised me. Specifically, the fact that multimodality existed in such ways back centuries ago. Moreover, multimodality, while existing the same in both timeframes, took completely different routes into how the ideas of these stories are actually being expressed. This makes sense obviously as there was no technology at the time but I cannot help but feel surprised as to how it arose. For example, I was very interested in the circular formation of the images/characters because you don't really see that today. I thought that was really creative.
The Peruvian Quipus were interesting to me for slightly different reasons. It was less about their connection to present-day multimodality and more so in the actual structure of the Quipus. They were made for accounting purposes and the knots tied represented different numbers on the Quipus. To me, the idea of having knot-placement represent numbers is baffling. I think that is a very cool connection and representation of numbers that I don't think I could have ever dreamed up. I was surprised to see that they were long-lasting and that historians are able to look at originals. I learned that what helped the Quipus stay preserved was the climate that they were made in: it was very airy and somewhat high-altitude.
Hello, John- I learned a lot of the same things you did in this microlecture. The Quipus were interesting to me, as it was neat to see how intricately designed they were. It is surprising to me that we don't learn more about Indigenous art like this when we are younger and in history classes! It is so rich and full of culture that go a long way to helping us understand and appreciate the people that were here before us (and still are here).
ReplyDeleteThank you for expanding on the concept of multimodality. I did not initially appreciate its significance and I think Long Dog's Buffalo Robe is a very interesting example. The Quipus were also of interest to me, and actually came up in my final project research! I agree that it is surprising they were preserved this well.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to learn in terms of how to "read" some of these early "texts," like the quipus.
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