IntroductionIntroductionto to

Mythology Mythology

Prepared by: Linda R. WilliamsPrepared by: Linda R. Williams

Resource: 2010 MythlopediaResource: 2010 Mythlopedia

What is mythology?What is mythology?

““Mythology” is the word used to describe all the Mythology” is the word used to describe all the myths of a particular society.myths of a particular society.

People who specialize in studying myths are called People who specialize in studying myths are called “mythologists”.“mythologists”.

From the Yoruba of West Africa to the Inca of South From the Yoruba of West Africa to the Inca of South America, from the Norse of Europe to the Navajo of America, from the Norse of Europe to the Navajo of North America, every culture has its own myths that North America, every culture has its own myths that help us understand its customs and ways of viewing help us understand its customs and ways of viewing the world.the world.

What is a myth?What is a myth?

Simply put, a myth is a kind of story.Simply put, a myth is a kind of story.

A traditional story rooted in primitive folk A traditional story rooted in primitive folk beliefs of cultures that uses the beliefs of cultures that uses the supernatural to interpret natural events.supernatural to interpret natural events.

A myth explains the culture’s view of the A myth explains the culture’s view of the universe and the nature of humanity.universe and the nature of humanity.

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a MythMyth

Myths are usually about gods, goddesses, or Myths are usually about gods, goddesses, or supernatural beings with greater powers and abilities supernatural beings with greater powers and abilities than ordinary humans.than ordinary humans.

Myths explain the origin of the world or how humans Myths explain the origin of the world or how humans customs came to be.customs came to be.

Myths take place in a time long, long ago, usually in the Myths take place in a time long, long ago, usually in the earliest days of humanity (or just before humans earliest days of humanity (or just before humans showed up on Earth).showed up on Earth).

Myths were usually thought to be true by their original Myths were usually thought to be true by their original tellers- no matter how wild or strange they seem to us.tellers- no matter how wild or strange they seem to us.

What is the Purpose of What is the Purpose of Myths?Myths?

Myths can:Myths can:

explain how things came to be – like the origin of the universe or explain how things came to be – like the origin of the universe or the creation of humans;the creation of humans;

teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in their society; andtheir society; and

contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and believe in them.believe in them.

Perhaps most importantly, studying myths can teach us about Perhaps most importantly, studying myths can teach us about people around the world – their cultures and what is (or was) people around the world – their cultures and what is (or was) important to them.important to them.