Genre// Myth
What is a myth?
A genre focused on the beginning of the world or another (origin story) like a natural phenomena in this world.
This stories are typically explained as a natural occurrence, they elaborates on a social rule or spiritual rite, and they follow the oral tradition.
The rules of an Origin Story and Creation Myth overlap. They both elucidate why certian aspects of the universe project certian properties. They both have characters such as deities and first people. They both relay on exposition and personification.
Native American Creation Myths by Jeremiah Curtin
The creation myths of America form a complete system: they give a detailed and circumstantial account of the origin of this world and of all the things and creatures contained in it.
Myth: A visible result and expression of unseen power.
The creation myth is a tangible revelation and an undoubted connection with the world which preceeded the present one. It’s narratives explain how in one place and another the first people revealed the tale of the worlds transformation.
The Myth-Maker looked at the universe around him and saw throughout every part individualities having qualities, desires, and passions in varying degrees.
The Myth-Maker observered these qualities and gave a detailed account and history of how this world arose.
The Myth-Maker gave this history by projecting existence into a past which was remote and passionless.
Article on Native American Oral Traditions
https://research.dom.edu/NAS/myth#:~:text=Oral%20literature%20was%20passed%20down%20through%20generations,humans%2C%20landforms%2C%20food%2C%20and%20death%20*%20Tricksters
How the World Was Made
“Among the earliest North Amerian folktales are stories that explain the phenomena that make up the natural world. Tales, especially among Native Americans, often revolve around godlike characters with mysterious origins, who appear suddenly to mortals, dwell on the earth for a while, and then disappear. As these culture heroes move through the world, and as they leave it, they create marvels such as celestial bodies or prominent features of the landscape. Tales that explain the peculiar attributes of particular animals sometimes make a culture hero of the creature who brings light or fire to people. More often such stories include a cast of characters whose exploits lead to a change in appearance that become a permanent physical feature for an entire species.”
- A Treasury of North American Folk-Tales Compiled by Cathrine Peck.