Historical Contexts, Myths and Culture

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Historical context shape myths
History of a family and king
History of gods
Defense
Celebrations
Craftwork and informal education
Historical contexts do not shape myths
Conclusion
Works cited

Introduction

This world is made up of many people who belong to different tribes. These tribes have different cultures that they practice. These cultures produce different myths. Myths are either or not shaped by historical contexts. It is important first and foremost to understand the meaning of the words myth, culture and historical context. Most scholars define them but Geoffrey (12), defines myth as a story that tells about a belief of a group of people. He further explains that myths mostly tell about gods and heroes. He discusses and concludes that myths are made up when people try to find explanations or reasons about something that happens in nature. Historical context is defined as a story or record of what has happened in the past. Culture is defined as beliefs, customs and arts that make up a way of life for a group of people at a certain time. This paper discusses how historical contexts contribute in shaping myths that a culture produces.

Historical context shape myths

According to Geoffrey (25), historical contexts shape myths that a culture produces. He strongly believes that people practice what has been happening historically. The following are historical contexts that have been shaping myths produced by certain cultures.

History of a family and king

Some tribes believe that a king must come from a certain family because it has been producing kings historically. Moreover, they believe that history of any family is very important in decision making concerning certain issues like marriage. Some examples of family history include a cursed family, a family of witchcraft among others. This trend of recording history of a family and production of kings continues over and over again. The children that are born learn and start practicing it as their parents do. With time, it becomes a belief to them hence accepting it as their culture. A good example is seen in the Irish myth Gods in Ireland where a family history and a king genealogy were recorded (Geoffrey 54). Another example is seen in Celtic myth in Ireland where historically it was believed that a family producing kings was going to produce over and over again (Geoffrey 41).

History of gods

The world is made up of many tribes. Historically, each tribe has its own god. Some have both god and goddess while others have only god. Most gods and goddess that are adored are made of wood carvings, mud models among others. The generation that comes in each time finds its tribe having either both god and goddess or only god. It receives and accepts it as its culture since its parents and forefathers used to believe in it. A good example is found in Celtic myth in Ireland where most tribes used to have both god and goddess. They believed that their gods had a leader called Dagda. This leader was believed to form the basis of all human males and gods because he had the exact Irish traits. The goddess had three divisions namely Nemhain, Badb and Macha. In most of their tales, god was known as Lugh and goddess Morrigan (Jackson 20). In the Irish myth Gods in Ireland, each tribe seemed to have had its own god. Few had goddess (Jackson 30).

Defense

Most tribes believe in training people for their defense. Most of them are referred to as the warriors. These warriors go to fight whenever the tribe is being attacked by its enemy. In some other tribes, they go to fetch cattle from neighborhood or other tribes. They also play the role of defending their families at night. It is a practice that has been carried on over and over again. This becomes history in that specific tribe. As a result, the generations that come in take and accept it as their culture. Such practices are evidenced in the Celtic myths in Ireland (Jackson 22). Another evidence if found in the Gaelic myths in Great Britain and Ireland (Jackson 50). Irish myth God in Ireland also brought in the idea of training warriors for safety and defense (Jackson 32).

Celebrations

Different tribes believe in doing celebrations on different days of the year. Some believe that they have to make a sacrifice to their god to receive rains. This sacrifice is done by the elderly people because they believe they are close to their ancestors. At the time of harvest, they also make a sacrifice to their god before any harvesting is done. They belief is a way of saying thanks to their god. Others do their celebrations before circumcising their young ones. In addition, other days that are celebrated are when a tribe wins a fight; warriors fetch and bring cattle, during marriage among others. This act becomes history in that specific tribe since is done over and over again. As children are born from generation to generation, they adapt to it as their culture. A good example is seen in the Irish myth God that talks of Ulster cycle. It was set around during the time of begging of Christianity era. It tells stories more of training, feastings, battles, birth, and death of people especially heroes and warriors (Geoffrey 57).

Craftwork and informal education

Tribes take the responsibility of educating their children about their norms and beliefs. They are taught different things at different age. During tribe session, male and female children are taught independently by male and female teachers respectively. At home, the male and female children are taught independently by their father and mother respectively. They are taught how things are done and why they are done in that manner. Such things include feeding the ancestors, treating diseases traditionally and so on. As the child grows up, is aware and knows about its norms and beliefs. Since historically it has been practiced in that specific tribe, the children that are born adapt to it hence becoming culture. Moreover, every tribe in this world is talented in different ways. Each tribe produces goods of different kinds. Some are good at producing wood carvings, mud models, iron sheet products among others. These tribes practice batter trade to exchange their goods. As children are born, they are trained how to produce this goods. They learn and start practicing as their parents do. With time it becomes culture to them. Such a situation is presented in Irish myth God in Ireland (Geoffrey 59).

Historical contexts do not shape myths

On the other hand, some scholars believe that historic contexts do not shape myths that a culture produces. Brian (12), believes that culture can be a practice that someone trains him or herself to do. A myth is something that one beliefs in. He gives examples such as one can train as a warrior of own and defend his or her family at night. Others can higher trained soldiers for defense. Historically, this did not exist. Otherwise it was done in a different manner. He further discusses that celebrations that were only done at specific days historically in different tribes, one can do them any day. He supports his idea by giving an example of making one day of the week as a day of celebrations.

According to Brian (15), a child is a child. Some cultures do not allow male children to cook. He finds it being important for every child to know how to cook. One can be blessed with only male children. In another instance, ones wife can fall sick. If one of these instances occurs, the male children or the husband will be required to cook. Moreover, he believes that modernization has been facing out cultures practiced by many people. This modernization is not a history context hence people have began to believe in it. He strongly supports the idea in that the world is getting modernized every second. People are adapting and changing with the world (Brian 20).

Christianity came in and did away with different gods that were being worshiped. Historically, Christianity never existed. People changed from worshipping their gods to the living God. It shows that historic contexts do not always shape what people have to believe and practice. In addition, a leader either a king, president, or prime minister among others can come from any family. Historically, the family might not have been producing leaders. The only way one can become a leader is to posses the qualities of a good leader (Brian 25).

Conclusion

In conclusion, historic contexts contribute a lot in shaping a myth that a culture produces. Many practices that are done today are imported from history. People belief and practice them because they found their parents and forefathers doing it. Others believe that failure to practice them will upset their gods and ancestors. As a result, they will get punishment from their ancestors.

Works cited

Brian, Alwyn. Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales. New York: University of Wales Press, 1961. pg. 12-25.

Geoffrey, Ronan. Early Irish and Celtic Myths. London: Penguin Books, 1981. pg 12-59.

Jackson, Kenneth. A Celtic Miscellany in Great Britain and Ireland. New York: Penguin Classics, 1971. pg. 20-50.

Click Here To Order Now!