Myth Elements
Identify the supernatural being.
1. Human
2. Cactus
3. God
4. Earth
God
Is a myth a traditional or nontraditional story?
Traditional
"Sometimes Enkai is Enkai Narok, the Black God, happy with us and blanketing the sky with dark clouds that pour out rain to nourish the plains. When angry, though, Enkai becomes Enkai Nonyokie—the Red God. In these times, the sun grows incredibly hot until the earth dries up and becomes barren. Because of this, we work to keep Enkai happy."
Why is this a good example of a feature found in a myth?
Features a supernatural being.
These cattle are sacred, because they are actually a divine gift from the sky god, Enkai. Our tribe makes a living by caring for the cattle, feeding them, and protecting them.
What is the purpose of this passage?
1. to explain the supernatural being Enkai
2. to explain where the tribe comes from
3. to explain why the culture honors cattle
4. to explain how Enkai cares for the cattle
3. To explain why the culture honors cattle
Poseidon is the God of the Seas. As he controlled the oceans, and tides, and was known for the wind. What natural phenomenons would he be responsible for?
Hurricanes, Tsunamis, etc
Which of these is a fantastic setting?
1. Golf Course
2. Hogwarts
3. Disney World
4. Japan
Hogwarts
Is this a myth?
Story that tells the adventures of a giant red dog.
No, supernatural characters are in the story, but there is no explanation of the belief system, natural phenomenon, or group of people.
Which excerpt from "The Beginnings of the Maasai” is the best example of a feature found in myths?
1. My job is important, so I work hard to do it well, even though the cattle can sometimes be troublesome.
2. You see, soon after I was born, a massive volcano erupted right in the middle of the cattle plains.
3. When we have rituals or community celebrations, I have to bring the cattle, because their presence is essential.
4. One by one, Enkai the sky god, sent the cattle walking down branches of the fig tree, all the way down to the roots at the ground.
4. Supernatural being
Sending cattle down a tree to the roots of the ground.
In "The Beginnings of the Maasai,” the daughter of the Maasai explains the relationship between the Maasai and their sky god Enkai. She explains how a volcanic eruption sent Enkai and the cattle into the sky. In order to save the cattle, Enkai created a giant tree that allowed them to walk back to earth. Then, Enkai entrusted Neiterkob, the narrator’s father, and his tribe to care for the cattle. As a result, the cattle are sacred to the Maasai, and the Maasai maintain a close connection with Enkai.
Is this an effective summary ?
1. Yes, because it includes key ideas from the beginning, middle, and end, and it explains the conflict and the resolution.
2. Yes, because it focuses on the details from the beginning, the obstacles from the middle, and the resolution from the end.
3. No, because it uses too many specific names from the beginning, middle, and end, and it has a vague resolution.
4. No, because it leaves out details from the beginning, the obstacles from the middle, and the resolution from the end.
1. Yes, because it includes key ideas from the beginning, middle, and end, and it explains the conflict and the resolution.
What did Prometheus give to humans that made Zeus angry.
Fire.
Prometheus gave humans fire. Zeus was so angry he cursed Prometheus to have his liver pecked out by an eagle for all eternity.
Name all four of the common elements of a myth.
1. Supernatural being
2. Fantastic Setting
3. Explanation of the Unexplainable
4. Conflicts between worlds, beings, the self or natural elements
What are the common functions of myths?
Hint: What is the purpose of sharing a myth?
Entertainment
Explanation
Share News
Warn of Danger
I am the daughter of the great Neiterkob, the Father of the Maasai tribe in Africa. You might think that this makes me special, but my father believes that I should live just like the rest of the tribe. Thus, he sends me to look after our tribe’s cattle with the other daughters and sons. These cattle are sacred, because they are actually a divine gift from the sky god, Enkai. Our tribe makes a living by caring for the cattle, feeding them, and protecting them.
What phrase from the passage refers to the key element in myths?
from the sky god, Enkai
Read the summary of the section of "The Beginnings of the Maasai,” where the volcanic eruption and its results are described.
As a result of a volcanic eruption, the sky god Enkai and the cattle were thrown into the sky. Enkai wanted to save his cattle. He grew a tree that bridged the sky and the earth. The cattle walked down the tree to Neiterkob. Neiterkob and the Maasai tribe took over caring for the cattle.
Why does the summary need to be revised?
1. The summary incorrectly restates the myth.
2. The summary includes too many minor details.
3. The summary lacks transitions that connect ideas.
4. The summary is missing important words and phrases.
3. The summary lacks transitions that connect the ideas.
What did Pandora release when she opened the box or jar?
Illness
What are the four types of conflict?
Hint: Think about conflicts as an issue or a battle.
Conflicts arise between:
1. Worlds
2. Beings
3. The Self
4. Natural Elements
Is this a myth?
Story of a god who fights other gods to protect humans.
Tricky, still no. The story my talk of gods that have a conflict with other gods, but this summary does not provide an explanation of a belief system, natural phenomenon, or world view.
How do we make this a myth?
Now Enkai lives at the top of Mount Kenya, and we Maasai still live below, herding cattle down in the plains. It’s not a bad life, especially when Enkai is the Black God, providing for us. And when the cattle or other children cause problems, I just warn them that they never know when I might suddenly develop my godly powers.
Which sentence contains the most elements of the final summary?
Now Enkai live at the top of Mount Kenya, and we Maasai live below herding cattle down in the plains.
Which information from this passage about Enkai is most important to include in a summary of the overall story?
1. The tribe’s relationship with Enkai is crucial to them.
2. The tribe’s behavior affects Enkai’s mood.
3. Enkai has moods that are reflected in the weather.
4. Enkai can be the Black God or the Red God.
1. The tribe's relationship with Enkai is crucial to them.
Cerberus is a three-headed dog that guards the underworld. What is the only thing that will allow passage past him?
Music
What are the three examples given for the element "explanation of the unexplainable."
Bonus if you can give examples of each.
3. Natural Phenomenon... Lightning by Zeus, Rain are tears of the Gods
What are the three explanations a myth can provide?
A belief system,
natural phenomenon,
the world view of a group of people.
I am the daughter of the great Neiterkob, the father of the Maasai tribe in Africa. You might think that this makes me special, but my father believes that I should live just like the rest of the tribe. Thus, he sends me to look after our tribe’s cattle with the other daughters and sons. These cattle are sacred, because they are actually a divine gift from the sky god, Enkai. Our tribe makes a living by caring for the cattle, feeding them, and protecting them.
Which is the best summary of the beginning of "The Beginnings of the Maasai”?
1. The Father of the Maasai introduces his daughter, explaining how the daughters and sons of the tribe care for the cattle and the sky god Enkai.
2. The daughter of the Maasai introduces herself and the Maasai, and explains their important relationships with their cattle and the sky god Enkai.
3. The Maasai tribe lives in Africa, where they care for their sons and daughters, their cattle, and the sky god Enkai by feeding and protecting them.
4. As a daughter of the Maasai tribe, the narrator makes her living feeding and protecting the cattle that are sacred to her father and the sky god Enkai.
2. The daughter of the Maasai introduces herself and the Maasai, and explains their important relationships with their cattle and the sky god Enkai.
When I was little I used to climb in the giant fig tree with the other children, but it was so tall that I couldn’t reach very high. Now that I’m older, I can climb much farther, but I will never find out if I could have climbed to heaven. You see, the tree is gone now. Neighboring hunters from the Kamba were jealous of Neiterkob’s special relationship with Enkai and the gift of our cattle. Out of vengeance, they hewed the fig tree into little pieces. It was heartbreaking to lose this strong bond with the sky god, but as long as we still have our cattle, we can still feel the joy of being connected to Enkai.
Which best summarizes the resolution of the conflict at the end of "The Beginnings of the Maasai”?
1. As a result of the fig tree being destroyed, the Maasai’s relationship with Enkai has been permanently damaged.
2. Although the Kamba chopped down the fig tree, the Maasai tribe are still connected with Enkai through their cattle.
3. After the fig tree died, Enkai moved to the top of Mount Kenya, leaving the Maasai and their cattle on the plains.
4. Since the fig tree was killed by the Kamba, Enkai uses his godly powers when the cattle or children cause problems.
2. Although the Kamba chopped down the fig tree, the Maasai tribe are still connected with Enkai through their cattle.
When Persephone was taken by Hades, the crops began to die and the people began to starve. Hades forged a deal with the god Demeter. Persephone would stay with Hades for the winter months and Demeter the summer months. What natural phenomenon does this story explain?
Seasons