Modern Myth: Seneca Indians Creation Myths

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Thesis Statement
The modern myth
The creation myth by the Seneca Indians
Conclusion
References

Introduction

People worldwide are usually held up in debates revolving around the issue of belief in myths and mythology, and up to now the issue of myths still mystifies and baffles many, and continues to be mysterious on how it influences individual’s lives globally. The main sides of the debate are those in favor of myths (traditional cultural theorists), and those against myths (modern scientists). Many hold strong believes on myths and how they(the myths) dictate their lives, while others criticizing myths to be typical traditional ways of thinking which have been overtaken by the modernized lateral thinking, which are complemented with scientific justifications on explaining a certain phenomenon. Parker, n.d attempted to give a succinct meaning of a myth as a typical story usually sacred, aiming at giving an explanation or a basis to justify why a certain event occurs or happens. The phenomenon usually being a natural event or a practice based on a certain people’s culture. The traditional mythology usually revolved around heroes as well as the workings of gods.

Thesis Statement

In my opinion, mythology and myths resides in every human being’s mind, in thoughts either consciously or unconsciously, and even though modern scientists deny the fact, at some extend they are unable to scientifically justify some phenomena in life, like the origin of life.

The modern myth

The modern myth distinct itself from the traditional perspective in that it is more supported by religious faiths as well as some scientific bases, but not always (Walters, n.d).In North America like any other region of the world, myths were and are usually associated in the explanation of various phenomena. Among these myths, majority revolve on the issue of man’s originality, a supreme power above all, land, spiritual forces as well as cultural events such as ceremonial practices. For instance the native Indians of the northern woodlands of the United States of America hold mythic thoughts in almost every aspect of life (Seneca History, n.d). According to these people, the issue of power mythically dictates other phenomena such as life, seasons, originality of man and the earth the linkage between the living human beings and their ancestors and spirits (Donald-Grim, 2005).

The creation myth by the Seneca Indians

The Seneca Indians in North America believed on the existence of different worlds and other celestial bodies. In one of these worlds, there existed a supreme person who was the chief of the world. The floatation and movements of this world were commanded by this great chief. This world had a great celestial tree, and onetime in his sleep, a dream ordered him to uproot it to appease his spirits The chief’s anger provoked by his wife’s dissatisfaction during the uprooting of the tree led to her expulsion from the celestial world, which led to her fall into another world under the celestial world which was full of water and creatures. All the creatures then decided to seek way to the bottom with the aim of making a new world for the woman. It’s from this point that a creature called Muskrat found the bottom by his nose where after touching the bottom, the earth was formed.

This myth attempts to explain the origin of the land or the earth by the Seneca people, and like many other myths on the issue of the originality of land, these people held to the believe that there existed a supreme being with powers to command everything residing below it. Their believe that there were other celestial bodies around earth, is fact which can be justified scientifically. This myth is in line with many believers in the modern world that some being somewhere which is more powerful than all is responsible. This myth has greatly shaped people’s values especially in the theological aspect of life. For instance Christians and Muslims hold to the believe that the earth was created by a certain being whom they refer to as God and Allah respectively. The myth influences people’s theological faiths as well as modeling their worshiping practices and other values dictated by this believe of the sacred most high being. Such values are like respect to everything created by this being, which in turn implies respect to the people around an individual. The social impact of respect is evidenced in a peaceful society void of crimes and all other social misconducts (Parker, n.d).

Conclusion

In a traditional perspective, myths were among some ways of explaining and justifying events and even though some lacked scientific justification, most of them were aimed at cultivating important values such as respect of life in the society. Myths dictate every thought in individuals either consciously or unconsciously, and even though some people try to criticize myths, it is evident that there is a deeper meaning in myths and this should not be eroded by the modern lateral thinking in modern human beings. Therefore myths should be adopted in a modernized way and complimented with scientific processes if applicable, otherwise they should be geared in reinforcing people’s positive believe.

References

Donald, John & Grim, John (2005). North American Indians: Indians of the Northeast Woodlands. Encyclopedia of Religion, Vol. 10.(2nd ed). Pp6679-6688.

Parker, Arthur, Seneca Myths and Folk Tales. 2009. Web.

Seneca Indian Tribe History. 2009. Web.

Walters, Samuel, Lost In Faith and Science – Modern Myth. 2009. Web.

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Modern Myth: Seneca Indians Creation Myths

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