Week 4 Discussions: Introduction to Creation Myths; Dogon Myth; Flood Myths

This discussion is in two parts. First respond to each of these two topics:

• Creation myths often answer the question of identity, particularly group identity: Who are we? How did we come to be here? During the holiday season, it is common for families to gather together, sometimes after long absences. A common ritual at such gatherings is the telling of family stories. What stories does your family tell? What are some of the defining moments in the life of your family?

• Which of Weigle's creation types can you see operating in the creation myths we are studying? Identify a couple from different myths and show how you think the type is illustrated in the myth.

THEN, based solely on a close reading of the Dogon creation myth as it is presented in the textbook, respond to any three of the following:

• What is the significance in the Dogon myth of the "rape" of the earth? What are its consequences? How did that event affect Dogon culture?
• Who or what is the origin of evil in the Dogon myth?  What appears to be the nature of evil in this myth?  What appears to be the role of humans with regard to evil?
• What role does circumcision play in Dogon culture? Why was it begun? How do they view circumcision? Why is it practiced? What does the ritual of circumcision in Dogon culture suggest about the relationship between the sexes?
• Who is the Jackal, and what is his significance?
• What is significant about Nummo?  How many are Nummo?  Why are Nummo different from Jackal?  What role do Nummo play in this myth?  How are Nummo described? What are Nummo similar to in our myths, or what do Nummo appear to represent?
• Who are the eight ancestors, and what is their role in Dogon culture?  What gender are they?
• There are several references to the "word": the first word, the second word, and the third word. What are each of these words, and what is their significance and importance in Dogon culture? What parallels to their view of the "word" exist in our culture?  Why would the idea of "word" be so important?  In what other myths does the concept of word appear significant?
• What is the significance in Dogon culture of various numbers? Do these numbers have parallels in other cultures?
• What is the significance of the Granary, and what role did it play in Dogon culture? What story from our culture is parallel to the story of the Granary?  What terms from sacred space (see Module 5) could be used to describe the Granary?
• What is the role of Lebe? Who is he similar to in other cultures, including our own?

In responding to any of the above, be sure to support your response with specific references from the textbook. You are forbidden from using or referring to any other sources about the Dogon culture or its myths.

Be sure to give well developed responses, and respond to the posts of at least two of your classmates.