Write an essay in which you compare and contrast The Earth on Turtle's Back, When Grizzlies Walked Upright, and The Navajo Origin Legend. Focus on two areas; discuss what each myth reveals about customs, attitudes, and beliefs

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Unit 1 Essay Test                                                                               Zohra Sayani

                                                                                       09/20/04

Topic: Write an essay in which you compare and contrast The Earth on Turtle’s Back, When Grizzlies Walked Upright, and The Navajo Origin Legend. Focus on two areas; discuss what each myth reveals about customs, attitudes, and beliefs pr each tribe that created it and also, compare and contrast customs, attitudes, and beliefs within the three stories.

 

        When this world came to being, there was no single explanation of its origin. Many Native American tribes and other religious groups throughout the world created their own origin or creation myths for the earth on a whole or just the people of the earth. The basis of these myths was cultural and social beliefs of the many different tribes around the world. The Earth on Turtle’s Back, When Grizzlies Walked Upright, and The Navajo Origin Legend are the three creation myths by the Onondaga, the Modoc, and the Navajo. Each of these myths are by far original and different, yet at the same time share many of the customs, attitudes, and beliefs of each of the individual groups, which were revealed to us throughout the stories. Origin Legends not only teach how a natural aspect of the world came to being, but also dives into the soul of the tribe that created a specific legend. If read closely enough, so much can be learned about the lifestyle of a whole group of people, from a single myth.

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        The Earth on Turtle’s Back is created by the Onondaga, from Northeast Woodlands. This myth portrays many beliefs and attitudes that are found in the Onondaga culture. No customs could be picked up from this myth because the legend did not go in depth describing whether a social or individual, idea or action was repeated over a period of time. This myth reveals to us that these people are hard-working and find joy in helping others, rather than being self-centered. When the animals noticed that a lady was falling from the sky, the swans immediately flew up to her rescue. ...

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