Write a well thought out, substantive response to the post regarding question 1 bellow of at least a short paragraph (approx. 150 words), including direct references to the myths. Note: response comments such as “I agree” or “good thought.” will not count for credit. Question 1: Which motifs do the Native American and African mythologies share? Provide examples from the African myths you have read so far. Why do you think there are so many similarities between Native American and African myths? The post to reply to is bellow: Merry Nelson Examples of motifs in the Native American myths that we also find in African mythologies include the axis mundi, the interchangeability of humans and animals, the power of language, a trickster figure/culture hero and an imperfect deity. Specifically, we find an example of the axis mundi, both in Ananse’s spider webs and the golden chain which Obatala descends. As are many characters in the Native American myths, we find that Ananse the spider is both human and animal, as well as a bird.. The power of language is demonstrated by the value placed on the stories over which Ananse seeks power, as well as when Gbonka’s puts Timi to sleep simply by saying, “When a child sleeps he drops whatever he holds in his hands. Sleep now, Timi, and let go your bow and flaming arrows” (Aboul-Hosn & Rosenberg, 2010, p.380). Ananse the spider serves as a trickster figure in that he is somewhat of a trouble maker, but also a culture hero in that the stories he is able to obtain he can pass down to humans. In this way we see the cultures’ placement of respect upon cunning and cleverness. Finally, we see that because Ananse is able to trick and manipulate god, god is portrayed as an imperfect deity. In addition, we see the imperfect deity motif when Obatala creates deformed humans and apologizes for it. A possible explanation for the many similarities between Native American and African myths could be that both come from places of great ecological variety, from which stemmed in the cultures an importance in community over the individual and providing similar foundations from which an interaction with nature would shape their narratives. In addition, because both the Native American and African myths are from an oral tradition, they were written down modernly by people from outside their cultures who couldn’t help but view them through a Western perspective which may have influenced some of the perceived similarities. Aboul-Hosn, S.R. & Rosenberg, Aaron. (2010). Comparative Literature 108, Myths and Mythologies. Boston, MA; Pearson Learning Solutions. to the post regarding question 1 bellow of at least a short paragraph (approx. 150 words), including direct references to the myths. Note: response comments such as “I agree” or “good thought.” will not count for credit. Question 1: Which motifs do the Native American and African mythologies share? Provide examples from the African myths you have read so far. Why do you think there are so many similarities between Native American and African myths? The post to reply to is bellow: Merry Nelson Examples of motifs in the Native American myths that we also find in African mythologies include the axis mundi, the interchangeability of humans and animals, the power of language, a trickster figure/culture hero and an imperfect deity. Specifically, we find an example of the axis mundi, both in Ananse’s spider webs and the golden chain which Obatala descends. As are many characters in the Native American myths, we find that Ananse the spider is both human and animal, as well as a bird.. The power of language is demonstrated by the value placed on the stories over which Ananse seeks power, as well as when Gbonka’s puts Timi to sleep simply by saying, “When a child sleeps he drops whatever he holds in his hands. Sleep now, Timi, and let go your bow and flaming arrows” (Aboul-Hosn & Rosenberg, 2010, p.380). Ananse the spider serves as a trickster figure in that he is somewhat of a trouble maker, but also a culture hero in that the stories he is able to obtain he can pass down to humans. In this way we see the cultures’ placement of respect upon cunning and cleverness. Finally, we see that because Ananse is able to trick and manipulate god, god is portrayed as an imperfect deity. In addition, we see the imperfect deity motif when Obatala creates deformed humans and apologizes for it. A possible explanation for the many similarities between Native American and African myths could be that both come from places of great ecological variety, from which stemmed in the cultures an importance in community over the individual and providing similar foundations from which an interaction with nature would shape their narratives. In addition, because both the Native American and African myths are from an oral tradition, they were written down modernly by people from outside their cultures who couldn’t help but view them through a Western perspective which may have influenced some of the perceived similarities. Aboul-Hosn, S.R. & Rosenberg, Aaron. (2010). Comparative Literature 108, Myths and Mythologies. Boston, MA; Pearson Learning Solutions.
Write a well thought out, substantive response to the post regarding question 1 bellow of at
least a short paragraph (approx. 150 words), including direct references to the myths. Note: response comments such as “I agree” or “good thought.” will not count for credit.
Question 1: Which motifs do the Native American and African mythologies share? Provide examples from the African myths you have read so far. Why do you think there are so many similarities between Native American and African myths?
The post to reply to is bellow:
Merry Nelson
Examples of motifs in the Native American myths that we also find in African mythologies include the axis mundi, the interchangeability of humans and animals, the power of language, a trickster figure/culture hero and an imperfect deity.
Specifically, we find an example of the axis mundi, both in Ananse’s spider webs and the golden chain which Obatala descends. As are many characters in the Native American myths, we find that Ananse the spider is both human and animal, as well as a bird.. The power of language is demonstrated by the value placed on the stories over which Ananse seeks power, as well as when Gbonka’s puts Timi to sleep simply by saying, “When a child sleeps he drops whatever he holds in his hands. Sleep now, Timi, and let go your bow and flaming arrows” (Aboul-Hosn & Rosenberg, 2010, p.380). Ananse the spider serves as a trickster figure in that he is somewhat of a trouble maker, but also a culture hero in that the stories he is able to obtain he can pass down to humans. In this way we see the cultures’ placement of respect upon cunning and cleverness. Finally, we see that because Ananse is able to trick and manipulate god, god is portrayed as an imperfect deity. In addition, we see the imperfect deity motif when Obatala creates deformed humans and apologizes for it.
A possible explanation for the many similarities between Native American and African myths could be that both come from places of great ecological variety, from which stemmed in the cultures an importance in community over the individual and providing similar foundations from which an interaction with nature would shape their narratives. In addition, because both the Native American and African myths are from an oral tradition, they were written down modernly by people from outside their cultures who couldn’t help but view them through a Western perspective which may have influenced some of the perceived similarities.
Aboul-Hosn, S.R. & Rosenberg, Aaron. (2010). Comparative Literature 108, Myths and Mythologies. Boston, MA; Pearson Learning Solutions.
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