The Creation Myth of the Maidu Tribe of California
The Maidu tribe’s creation myth explains how the tribe believes the world was created and how it came into existence. The creation myth of the Maidu Indian tribe helps them find a sense of belonging. Their myth states that they were created by the earth maker and placed centrally on the earth where creation had begun. This myth describes their history, which they can pass on to their generations to keep their culture alive. The legend explains their origin and that of all that surrounds them and how they came to be. An example is the reason for their red soils. The myth explains that the coyote painted the earth red to represent the blood, which was the life-giving source of human beings and animals (Putova, 2017)
The myth gives them answers to all the questions and doubts they may develop, thus making them content with their culture and way of life. The tale enables them to define their culture and tribe, which represents their way of life. The Maidu Indian tribe has several cultural practices which all have an origin. The origins and reasons for these practices and their various forms of life are explained in the myths ( Von Franz, 2017). An example is the kindness and hospitability of the tribe to strangers. This practice dates back to their creation myth, where their creator instructed them to do this. It is an example of how their myths influence the lives of the Maidu tribe. They live in kindness and generosity as a way of respecting and obeying the instructions of their creator.
This creation myth of the Maidu tribe does make one think of their cultures differently. It has made me realize that the cultural practices in my community are there for a reason. They did not just start randomly, and there is a reason why they are being practiced. Through this myth, I have learned that each community has its own creation stories, and they are not the same. It made me realize that the myths in different cultures help each organization define itself and make it unique (Von Franz, 2017). Passing on the tales to generations enables the culture to stay relevant and alive.
Reference
Putova ,B.(2017).Historical Changes of the Coyote: An Anthropological Reflection on the Trickster. Identity, Tradition, and Revitalisation of the American Indian Culture,203.
Von Franz, M.L.( 2017) Creation Myths: revised edition. Shambala Publications.