ENG 312 : MYTHOLOGY AND FOLKLORE

Creation Myths

I. What are Creation Myths and why study them?

Creation myths, or cosmogonies, relate how the entire universe came into existence.
Cosmogonies are usually considered as the most important myths because they serve as
the exemplary model for all other myths.

II. Types and Exampless

A. Accretion or Conjunction stories
Mixing and layering of primordial elements (earth, fire, water, wind) that grows in
time.

1. Tibetan
In the beginning was voidness, a vast emptiness without cause, without end.
From this great voidness there arose gentle stirrings of wind, which after
countless eons grew thicker and heavier, forming the mighty double
thunderbolt scepter of Dorje Gyatram. Dorje Gyatram created the clouds,
which in turn created the rain. The rain fell for many years until the primeval
ocean was formed. Then, all was calm, quiet, and peaceful; the ocean
became clear as a mirror. Slowly the winds began to breathe once more,
gently moving over the waters of the ocean, churning them continually until a
light foam appeared on the surface. Just as cream is churned into butter, so
were the waters of Gyatso churned into earth by the rhythmic motion of the
winds. The earth rose like a mountain, and around its peaks murmured the
wind, ever moving, tireless, forming cloud from which fell more rain, only this
time heavier and full of salt, giving birth to the great oceans of the universe.

2. Eskimo
Eskimo Apatak peoples tell of the trickster Father Raven, also known as
Tulungersaq, who is a “holy life power.” Crouching in the primordial darkness,
he suddenly awakened and began to move about. By feeling about, he also
moves and disturbs the ground which responds by sprouting life.

3. Mesoamerican
Another story from the American Southwest involves the trickster, Coyote, who
accidentally puts the stars in heaven when he shakes open a sacred pouch in
search of treasure.

B. Secretion stories
The universe comes about as a result of divine secretion such as vomit, sweat, tears,
etc.

1. Egyptian
Aten who emerged from Nun, the primordial waters, creates Shu and Tefnut
from his tears or his spittle in two versions

2. Greek
It is written that Uranus, who in one version, hid his children away in the bowels
of the earth (Tartarus) as he was aghast at the sight of them, in reality he was
fearful of their great strength and power. Gaia found her offspring
uncomfortable and also painful and when she found the discomfort too much
to bear she hatched a plan, which was to end the passions of Uranus, so no
more offspring could be produced and that would be the ending of her hurt.
But to achieve this she required the help from one of her children. She asked

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Creation Myths

them all, but only her youngest child Cronus would heed her call. To help
Cronus accomplish his task Gaia gave him a adamantine sickle to serve as his
weapon.
Cronus lay in wait hidden from view, and when Uranus came to lay with Gaia
Cronus struck. With one mighty blow from the sickle Cronus severed the
genitals from Uranus' body. From the blood which fell to the earth (Gaia)
where born the Erinyes (Furies), the Giants and also the Meliae (Nymphs of the
manna ash trees). In other versions Aphrodite was born from the foam created
from the sex organs of Uranus, after they had been thrown into the sea by
Cronus.

C. Sacrifice
A divine entity sacrifices himself to start or finish the creation of the universe.

1. Chinese
Pan-Ku emerges from the cosmic egg and continuously grows for 18,000 years.
In the process of growth, his body separates the lighter and brighter yin
elements from the heavier and darker yang elements which symbolizes the
separation of the heavens from earth. When the universe is sufficiently
expanded, Pan-Ku dies, his skull becomes the dome of the sky, his flesh the soil,
his bones become rocks and mountains, and his hair becomes vegetation. The
story concludes with people knowing unhappiness because the creator has
died.

2. Aztec and Mayan

Nahuatl version: The gods realize that two among them must throw themselves
into the fiery furnace, Teotexcalli to create the sun and moon. A brave man,
Nanauatzin goes willingly when the gods were too timid; the god Tecuciztecatl
goes next out of shame that a mere man went first. The man became the sun
and the god became the moon.

D. Division or conjugation
The primal matter or cosmogonic egg is divided into the different parts of the
universe

1. India
The Rig-Veda, one of the oldest of Indian sacred texts, cites the most common
Indian creation myth. The Hindu creation myth cites Purusha, the being
beyond all others, as the creator of the basic elements of the world. He is a
part of all aspects of the Earth. When he was sacrificed, the seasons, holy
writings, and animals were his ritual accompaniments. His body formed the
castes of Indian Hindu society. Castes were strict stratifications in society that
members marry and live within in order to supposedly fulfill their purpose in life.
Purusha's mouth was the highest caste of Indian society, the Brahmans -priests
and leaders. His arms became the second highest caste-Kshatriyas, the
warriors. Vaishyas, farmers and merchants, were formed from Purusha's thighs,
while his feet created the Shudras, the lowest caste created to serve the
higher castes. Purusha's body went on to form the rest of the known Universe in
Hindu mythology. His mind was the moon, his eye was the sun, the storm and
fire gods Indra and Agni were from his mouth as well, his breath was the wind,
his head was Heaven, his feet were earth, and his navel became the
atmosphere.

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2. Africa
The Krachi people of Togo in West Africa speak of a giant, the vast blue god
Wulbari, more familiar to us as the sky. There was a time when he lay just above
the Earth, but a woman pounding grain with a long timber kept prodding and
poking him until he raised himself above the nuisance. However,Wulbari was
still within reach of humans, who used his belly as a towel and snatched bits of
his blue body to add spice to their soup. Gradually, Wulbari moved higher and
higher until the blue sky was out of reach, where it has remained ever since.

E. Earth-diver
A god or his agent dives to the bottom of the primordial deep, from which most
cosmogonies begin, and returns with a few grains of sand or a bit of mud from which
the earth and the rest of the cosmos eventually arise. Some stories already
mentioned include this typology.

1. Romanian
In the majority of Rumanian folklore versions, before the earth existed, a
boundless ocean called Apa Sâmbetei was the abode of God and the Devil,
seen as master and servant rather than equals. Upon deciding to create the
earth, God sent the Devil to bring a handful of clay from the ground of the
World Ocean in his holy name. The Devil set forth and tried to bring it to the
surface in his name instead, but could not succeed until he brought it up in the
name of God. As this piece of clay grew into the earth, God laid himself down
to sleep. The Devil tried to push him over the side, but the ever expanding
earth would hinder that. After trying to throw God off the earth in every one of
the four cardinal directions, he shied away from the cross he drew in the
ground himself

2. Native America
Native American stories usually depict a beaver, a duck, a turtle, or a frog who
exists before all else and solves the problem of finding suitable land upon
which to develop

F. Emergence
Emergence myths typically depict the first people or first person as journeying from
an original, cramped world or womb into this world. Many Native American myths
take this form

1. Mesoamerica
Hopi myth says that Tawa created insect like beings and placed them in the
First World. Dissatisfied with these creatures, Tawa sent Spider Woman to lead
them, first to the Second World and then to the Third World, where they turned
into people. Spider Woman taught the people how to plant, weave, and
make pottery. A hummingbird gave them fire to help them warm themselves
and cook their food. However, when sorcerers brought evil to the Third World,
Spider Woman told the people to leave for the Fourth World. They planted
trees to climb up to the Fourth World, but none grew tall enough. Finally, Spider
Woman told them to sing to a bamboo plant so that it would grow very tall.
She led the people up the bamboo stalk to the Fourth World, the one in which
the Hopi currently live.

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2. Mesoamerica
A Navajo tale places the gods Coyote, First Man, and First Woman in the
cramped and dark first world. They decide to make the journey to the second
world, where they discover Sun Man and Moon Man. They soon find this
second world to be too crowded and decide that they should climb the sky
ladder to the third world. The third world, as it turns out, is very spacious,
containing mountains, rivers, canyons, trees, lakes, and the Mountain People
who welcome the strangers but also warn them not to disturb Tieholtsoti, the
water monster. Coyote, the trickster, finds it impossible to leave Tieholtsoti
alone and eventually kidnaps the monster’s two children, wrapping them in his
blanket. As a result, Tieholtsoti begins to cover the entire third world with water.
Quickly, the Mountain People pile all the mountains together and make the
arduous climb up into the fourth world. In this world, they find human and
animal people and, despite a lengthy dispute between the men and women
living there about whose role was most important to the survival of the tribe,
they live in peace and security for some time. Coyote, however, still has
Tieholtsoti’s children wrapped in his blanket, and eventually people begin to
notice that water has begun to seep up from below. Again, mountains are
moved and the people climb out of danger, with Badger leading the way
because his claws are sharp enough to dig through the sky. When the people
arrive in the fifth world, they discover nothing but a vast sea of mud. So, Locust
flies around the new world and discovers four swans, occupying each of the
four directions. The swans say that the people must pass a test in order to stay
in the fifth world. Locust passes this test on behalf of the people, and, just as
the Swans are about to give the people permission to enter the muddy fifth
world, Tieholtsoti rises from the mud on a roaring torrent, demanding that he
be allowed to inspect ever yone’s bundles. Coyote’s misdeed is finally
discovered, and he is forced to return the water monster’s children. Tieholtsoti,
in great delight, takes his children and returns to his place without further
trouble. But the world is still too muddy for comfortable habitation. To remedy
this, the people pray until a great wind comes and blows for four days, causing
the mud to dry and form mountains and valleys, plains and swamps. As a
finishing touch, the people throw Sun Man and Moon Man into the sky and the
fifth world, our world, becomes a home.

G. Two creators
This type of cosmogony depicts two gods creating the world through cooperation or
competition

1. Mesoamerica
The Acoma Pueblo tell of two creator sisters, who were born underground.
When they are old enough, a spirit, Tsichtinako or Thought-Woman, tells them
to be patient and that, when everything is ripe, they will emerge from the earth
and complete the creation their father, Uchtisiti, began when he threw a clot
of his blood into space and exerted his power to make it become the earth.
After some time, the sisters discover that Tsichitinako has given them each a
basket filled with seeds and carved figures of animals. Thought-Woman then
instructs the sisters to give life to the figurines of Badger and Locust who, once
they come to life, dig and smooth a path for the sisters to follow up out of the
earth. After emerging, the sisters set about the work of invoking the Sun and
giving life to the seeds and animals in their baskets. In this version of the myth,
the sisters work cooperatively.

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2. African
The African Basonge tribe tells of the rivalry of two creator gods, Kolombo mui
fangi and Mwile. The latter god was the highest of the divine tribe and
became angry that people kept talking of Kolombo, who claimed to have
made himself. Mwile sends for this upstart and challenges him to prove his
claims through a series of tests. In the first test, Mwile takes dust and spits into it,
creating clay from which he fashions a living human being. “Do that,” the high
god taunts. But Kolombo is up to the challenge, duplicating Mwile’s effort.
“Make yours speak,” demands Mwile. Kolombo at first refuses and the two
quarrel. Finally, after Mwile makes his clay-man speak, Kolombo makes also
makes the attempt, but his man can only move his lips, lacking the power of
articulate speech. But humiliating his rival is not enough for Mwile. Rather he
challenges Kolombo to go into a hut and allow Mwile to burn it down around
him. “If you survive this trial,” Mwile says, “I will acknowledge that you,
Kolombo, have made yourself.” Kolombo entered the hut with his animals (for
Kolombo seems more closely associated with animal than human life); but,
once he is hidden from view, he directs two of the animals to dig a tunnel
back to their village and he tells a bird to lay some eggs on the floor of the hut.
Meanwhile, Mwile sets fire to the hut, hearing the eggs exploding in the inferno
and congratulating himself at the thought of putting an end to the pretender,
Kolombo. But, by the time Mwile discovers the charred eggshells among the
ashes, Kolo mbo is safely back in his own village.

H. Deus Faber
Maker God, the quintessential architect, artisan, or craftsperson

1. Hebrew genesis story

2. Eskimo
A man and a woman came down out of the sky and lived on Diomede Island
for a long time, but they had no children. At last, the man painstakingly carved
five dolls out of ivory and five more out of wood. He set them on his table and
the next morning they were people. The ivory dolls became men and the
wooden dolls became women.

I. Ex Nihilo
Creation “from nothingness” or “from spirit”. This describes cosmogonies in which the
creator brings the world into being through speech, breath, dream, thought, or
laughter

1. Hebrew genesis
2. Yuki
Solitude Walker, Taiko-mol, creates a rope and walks along its length, and
dragging up the earth. He did this four times, but each time the waters
overwhelmed the land. So Taiko-mol formed a new plan; he fashioned four
crooks and planted them in the four directions (which formed the swastika
shape that had sacred meaning for the Yuki). Then he spoke a word and the
earth appeared which he lined with whale hide so it wouldn’t wash away this
time. But the earth was barren, so Taiko-mol created all the animals and plants
from the eagle feathers in his headdress. Even then he felt that his work was
incomplete. So, fashioning a house from mahogany, Solitude Walker said
“tomorrow there will be laughter and singing in this house.” When the sun arose
the next morning, the house was full of people.

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