Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures

Cosmic Creation Myths across Cultures Paper

Juanita Cartwright

HUM/105

May 2nd, 2013

Shante Miller

Cosmic Creation Myths across Cultures Paper

The student will pick at least two creation myths from two different cultures. This student will explain which world or worlds, such as sky, earth, and underworld, are represented in the myths that she chose. In this paper the student will also describe the creators and include the role of cosmic occurrences of the two myths and will compare their similarities.

The two myths that the student picked are Zulu Creation and Aboriginal Creation. The Zulu Creation begins with the earth being dark with only a large. Eventually the seed had sunk into the earth and from it, long reeds began to grow. The reeds were called “Uthlanga”, which means the source of all things. One reed grew into a man and he was called Unkulunkulu. He is the first man, and the creator of all things. He finally grown so heavy that he broke off from the reed and fell onto the earth. As he strolled the earth, he saw other growing reeds forming into men and women. Unkulunkulu broke off the first men and women. Then he pulled off cattle, fish, birds and fierce creatures. He began to create streams, mountains, lakes, valleys, wind, rain, the sun and the moon. Unkulunkulu had created everything we currently see around us. He taught the first men and women how to hunt, how to make clothes, prepare corn and make fire. He gave all of the animals their names. Unkulunkulu sent the languid chameleon out into the world with the message that his people will never die, but the chameleon moved too slow. Unfortunately, after several days Unkulunkulu became impatient and sent a speedy lizard out into the world with the message that death was on its way. The swift lizard arrived at the village first. Once the lizard brought its message to the people first, death arrived shortly thereafter....