The Iroquois Creation Myth
I am writing my first reflective paper on the creation myth of the Iroquois. In this reflection I will summarize the myth, explain the Iroquois and their relation to this myth, and finally discuss how I respond to the meaning and importance of this myth.This myth focuses on how the universe was created according to the Iroquois. The story starts out with "sky people" living on a floating island. A woman, on the island, falls down to the water below and helps create the earth and the sky with the help of sky people turned animals. She has twin sons who create the rest of the world, seasons, animals and all remaining aspects of nature. One son is good and one is evil. The two sons create a balance of ease and happiness with difficulty and hardships. This myth is obviously a creation myth because it explains how the earth and sky are first non-existent and then created through the steps in the myth. I perceive this myth as having "fairy-tail" elements, which seem fictional, but nonetheless entertaining.Through research I have found that women pla
This myth also shows how all of nature, and the animals in it, are sacred and should be respected. The versions are similar, and usually only vary in small ways. y a very important role in Iroquois societies. For example the giant turtle, that the earth grew on, is a symbol of the earth and is considered a sacred totem of the Iroquois. The women own all the property and determine relationships and leaders in their clans. This myth is simple, but I believe that part of its purpose is to show that there are difficult paths and there are easy paths. Women are the ones that carry and give birth to children, so in a way they are constantly creating new life. I think that one reason that there are many different versions is because the Iroquois are made up of six nations, originating in upstate New York. I am sure that this story was well traveled between all of these nations, and picked up minor differences along the way. I have found that there are many versions of this myth. I believe this myth also strives to show the importance of women, especially in their roles as mothers and wives. This association is similar to that in the myth because the women who created the earth and the sky led the animals and ordered them to help create the earth. After learning more and more about indigenous cultures and their religions I can start to see the symbolism of some of these myths. Many Iroquois still call North America "Turtle Island".
Common topics in this essay:
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Iroquois Iroquois,
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