Mythology
Essay by 24 • March 21, 2011 • 521 Words (3 Pages) • 1,318 Views
In the assignment the students are required to write an essay describing their current understanding of myth. In this paper they are asked to answer three specific questions. These questions include: (a) if there are any particular cultures that they associate with the notion of myth, (b) identify any myths in which they might be familiar with, and (c) do they believe that myth and mythology has had an effect on their personal or professional life.
According to Wikipedia, mythology "literally means the (oral) retelling of myths -- stories that a particular culture believes to be true and that use the supernatural to interpret natural events and to explain the nature of the universe and humanity" (2005). "Myths are generally narratives based on tradition and legend designed to explain the universal and local beginnings. . . natural phenomena, inexplicable cultural conventions, and anything else for which no simple explanation presents itself" (Wikipedia, 2005).
There are several cultures that I particularly associate with mythology and myths. These cultures include the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Norse and the Native Americans in the United States, Mexico and South America. I do realize that there may be many other cultures that are associated with myths or mythology but without some research, I really could not possibly know about any other cultures that are associated with myths.
Being Native American, I am somewhat familiar with many of the North American tribe's myths. I am of Cherokee, Kiowa-Apache and Lakota heritage, so I am most familiar with these particular tribe's myths. Some of the most important Cherokee myths include: The Deluge, How the Rabbit Stole the Otter's Coat, The Rabbit Goes Duck Hunting, What the Stars are Like, The Moon and the Thunders, The Journey to the Sunrise, How They Brought Back the Tobacco, The Origin of the Pleiades and the Pine, A New Bow for Tani, Atagahi Ð'- The Secret Lake, and Kanati the Hunter and the Cave of Animals (Bureau of American Ethnology, 1897 & 1900).
As for the Kiowa-Apache
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