Ms. Gokturk

Mythology

Creation Around the World

DIRECTIONS: After having read and compared Genesis to Theogony, please use the Big Myth Program in the English Lab (123) to view two creation stories of your choice. All of the stories may be accessed form the lab, but only some are available from home: www.bigmyth.com. Compare and contrast BOTH creation stories to Genesis/New Testament and/or the Greek Theogeny. You will be asked to make an educational poster based on your findings and present to the class.

1. Babylonian
2. Sumerian
3. Norse
4. Celtic
5. Egyptian
6. Dogon
7. Yoruba
8. Zulu
9. Hindu
10. Chinese
11. Japanese
12. Ceram
13. Aborignal
14. Maori
15. Mapuche
16. Inca
17. Aztec
18. Mayan
19. Vodoun
20. Hawaiian
21. Inuit
22. Iroquois
23. Navajo

Answer the following questions for each creation story. Next class, you will turn your findings into a poster.

1. What is the basic story? Note characters’ names and story events.
1. What was there before the world was created?
2. How is the universe/world created? Provide specifics and names when possible.
3. What living creatures were creatures (besides man)?
4. How is man created? Provide specifics and names when possible.
2. Themes/motifs:
1. Is it a succession story?
2. Does the theme of usurpation occur? Has power been “stolen” by a character? How?
3. Is there any evidence of disobedience like in the New Testament Story? If so, what is the transgression and punishment that appear?
4. In the New Testament, evil appears in the form of the serpent, who tempts Eve. Does the story have any evidence of evil? Explain.
3. How is the story etiological (besides being about the creation of the cosmos/world/life)? Consider what natural events are explained. What does the story tell you about this culture? Consider characteristics (i.e., docile or warring), geography, religious beliefs, etc.