Leslie Manning
asked
Leslie Tall Manning:
Why did you choose the name "Kamama" for the camp in "i am Elephant, i am Butterfly?"
Leslie Tall Manning
Great question!!
The camp takes place where the Cherokee once flourished in the NC mountains. The word fell into my lap unexpectedly while looking up Cherokee traditions, and I felt like I'd had an epiphany. Like many words in the language of indigenous peoples, there are two meanings. "Kamama" means both elephant and butterfly. Elephants have ears that look like butterfly wings, and butterfly wings when spread out look like elephant ears. Hence the double meaning. Using the word "elephant" is not at all derogatory; it is quite the opposite. Elephants are strong and gentle at the same time, while butterflies have a rather arduous metamorphosis before becoming the beautiful creatures they are. To me, the girls in the story epitomize the word "kamama." They are strong and gentle but must undergo a spiritual transformation in order to become physically and mentally healthy.
The camp takes place where the Cherokee once flourished in the NC mountains. The word fell into my lap unexpectedly while looking up Cherokee traditions, and I felt like I'd had an epiphany. Like many words in the language of indigenous peoples, there are two meanings. "Kamama" means both elephant and butterfly. Elephants have ears that look like butterfly wings, and butterfly wings when spread out look like elephant ears. Hence the double meaning. Using the word "elephant" is not at all derogatory; it is quite the opposite. Elephants are strong and gentle at the same time, while butterflies have a rather arduous metamorphosis before becoming the beautiful creatures they are. To me, the girls in the story epitomize the word "kamama." They are strong and gentle but must undergo a spiritual transformation in order to become physically and mentally healthy.
More Answered Questions
Jan Pat
asked
Leslie Tall Manning:
Hi Leslie, I appreciated your guidelines on Goodreads giveaways. I'm also an author- of a sci-fish post-gender novel. It seems like you generated readers and reviews. Is it worth the $119? BTW- I used to like Shel Silverstein, until I became the Giving Tree and felt used and bankrupt. My favorite futuristic authors are Octavia Butler, Robert Heinlein and Lois Lowry. I'm going to read your Laura Ingalls.
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