Creation Myths from around the World

World Mythology:  An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics (25 Points)

You are going to be the teacher of one of the creation myths listed below.  You will be responsible for presenting a chosen myth to a small group of students.  The group members have not read your myth.  Therefore, you are the expert on your chosen myth.  Provide them with the significant characters, details, etc. that are important to the understanding of your creation myth.  Be creative!

The Creation, Death, and Rebirth of the Universe (India) Pages 291-295

The Creation of the Universe and Human Beings (China) Pages 324-329

The Creation Cycle (New Zealand – Polynesia/Maori) Pages 351-359

The Creation, Death, and Rebirth of the Universe (Northern Europe) Pages 459-466

The Creation of the Universe and Ife (Nigeria—Yoruba) Pages 509-514

The Origin of Life and Fire (Zaire-Boshongo/Bakuba) Pages 515-517

The Creation (Guatemala—Maya) Pages 595-599

1.  Create a Brochure/Newsletter for your presentation.  The brochure/newsletter should contain the following:

• The newsletter title or the opening page of your brochure should have the title of the myth and your name, date, and period

• Provide information to the students pertaining to the Historical Background and Appeal and Value sections before presenting your myth

• Provide a map showing the location from where the myth originated

• Provide a list of the main characters in your myth (if possible)

• Provide the important events/details of your myth – What do we learn?

• Provide the Questions for Response, Discussion, and Analysis from the end of the myth and a response for each.  You only have to pick three questions to answer.

The brochure/newsletter should be visually appealing and informative.

2.  Create a comic strip recapping the major events of your myth and provide the important characters, too.  This can be a part of your brochure/newsletter – you may have to draw it by hand after you finish the rest of the brochure.  If you don’t like this idea – you may create a 6 panel comic strip on a separate piece of paper.