Today, the study of differences in terms of 'ethnicity' is vital to understand the broader field of multiethnic literature. Multiethnic literature is a rapidly growing field involving the literary works of Native American, Latino American, African American, Asian Pacific American and Euro-American writers. Among the other ethnic literatures, the Native American field is widely studied for its unique quality of blending the oral with the written tradition. Native American literature reflects the voices of the tribes, their traditions, cultures and languages. This particular field calls for an intense study of its authentic record of experiences and effective usage of myths and legends. Native American literature is basically prismatic and was brought into limelight through the works of N Scott Momaday. The works of N Scott Momaday provide a suitable ground to feel the texture and nature of Native American literature. The Ancient Child is one such work that nurtures the basic elements of Native American literature. This article explores the basic definition of ethnicity and the qualities and special features of multiethnic literature, with particular reference to Native American literature and the contribution of N Scott Momaday to the same. It also gives an outline of multiethnic literature to the beginners.

Literature evolves everyday, widely encompassing various fields. Its ability to accept and imbibe the upcoming new studies and writings makes it enthralling. Multiethnic literature is one such category, which came up in the late 20^th century due to the European colonization of America. Among multiethnic literatures, Native American is more popular and is widely studied for its documentation of its unique experiences and fabulous culture. In particular, it is essential to study N Scott Momaday, who, in a way, favored Native American literature by exhibiting its importance to the world through his contributions. A close look at the basic definitions, status, scope, constituents and features of multiethnic and Native American studies and an analysis of a major work of N Scott Momaday are essential to comprehend this complex field.

To begin with, in the term `multiethnic,' `multi' implies `various' and the term `ethnic' in itself involves complexities. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term `ethnic' as a social group having a common racial or cultural tradition. It also refers to the people with a specific origin derived by birth or descent, rather than nationality. In contrast to the above notion, Max Weber, the German sociologist, has evolved a new concept for the term `ethnic':

We shall call `ethnic groups' those human groups that entertain a subjective belief in their common descent because of similarities of physical type or of customs or both, or because memories of colonization or migration…it does not matter whether or not an objective blood relationship exists (Weber, 1997).

Multiethnic Literature for the Beginners, Introduction to Native American Studies and Its Pioneer, N Scott Momaday, multiethnic, ethnic groups, myths and legends, European colonization, MELUS, Melting pot literature, racism and relationships.