Micronesian

= Oceania [Micronesia] =



=**Micronesian creation myth** = = **The story** =

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**How do creation myths stay alive?**

Even though many people don’t believe in myths, they still exist. In Micronesian creation myth, Nareau, the spider god created Earth, heaven and two beings who brought 6 more gods. These gods each played an important role in creating the world that we are living in now. The skills and beliefs that each god performed was taught to Micronesian people which is why it is still remembered. Many creation myths are still remembered by people because skills and techniques that the God performed in its creation myth were practiced by people in its region even if the myth was unrealistic. For example, in Micronesian myth, Alulei is the god of seafaring, who had numerous eyes which later became the stars of the night sky that were used by sailors to navigate at the sea. The myth explains some of the skills that Alulei performed which was later used for training navigators. Another example is shown in the creation myth of Marshall Island which is also a part of Micronesia. This myth explained some of the techniques that are used to forecast weather and determine position at sea by observing natural phenomena. Apart from the skills and techniques that were performed in myths, it was also used to teach a group of people about particular belief. For example, in Micronesian creation myth, there is a part where they express their belief about the earth and sky, the afterlife and the roles of gods and culture heroes. Even though a spider creating earth and heaven, and separating earth and sky is unrealistic, due to people’s belief about the earth and sky, after life and the roles of various gods and culture heroes, Micronesian creation myth was able to stay alive. Many myths, especially creation myths encompass some impractical parts. However, people of its region have been taught to use skills that were displayed by some of the main characters and beliefs that were expressed in its creation myths. Such skills have been adapted since so long ago, that now, they have become imperative to living.

= Motif-Separation and division =

Each writing has it's own motif. For creation myths, there are four different motifs which are: 1. Land emerging from ocean 2. Separation/division 3. Fractionation of things from primordial chaos 4. Creation ex nihilo-creation out of nothing

The Micronesian creation myth supports the motif that the world was created through separation and division. In the Micronesian myth, Nareau, the young spider was one of the best-known creator gods. Nareau not only created the heaven and earth, but also two beings, Na Atibu and Nei Teukez. He also separated the earth from the sky and created what we know as the stars, islands, trees and creatures of the Earth. The act of Nareau separating the earth from the sky portrays the motif of separation and division.

=** Annotation ** =

Her, By Discovering. "Micronesian Mythology - Myth Encyclopedia - God, Story, Tree, Famous, Animal, Creation, Hero, People, Children, Creatures, Evil, Culture, Fire, Monster, Strength." // Encyclopedia of Myths //. Web. 3 Dec. 2010. .  A. It gives brief introduction to what Micronesia and it's religion. It explains the creation myth and the 6 gods' job in detail. B. This website's purpose is to inform readers which is why it's reliable. It also has contact information which allows readers to comment or ask questions. C. The creation myth on this source was more specific than the one I read from the book. Beside the creation myth, it also had specific explanation for each god telling the readers what they did, and how people used some of the skills that was shown in the myths. This website also helped me to answer my research question by explaining how Micronesian people used some of their creation myths in their life. "Culture of Federated States of Micronesia - Traditional, History, People, Traditions, Women, Beliefs, Food, Customs, Family, Social, Dress, Marriage, Men, Life, Population, Rituals, History and Ethnic Relations."// Countries and Their Cultures //. Web. 5 Dec. 2010. .  A. This website gives detailed information about Micronesia and its people. I used it to learn more about their beliefs and culture. B. This website has contact information which allows readers to comment or ask questions. It only gives information about Micronesian culture which is why it's more trustworthy than other sources that I looked at. C. Some sections in this source was really helpful in answering my research question. In the belief section, there was a short paragraph about Micronesian creation myth and how their people were taught about the skills and beliefs of the creation myth. I also used this source before researching to read a brief introduction for Micronesia.  =** Bibliography ** =

"Culture of Federated States of Micronesia - Traditional, History, People, Traditions, Women, Beliefs, Food, Customs, Family, Social, Dress, Marriage, Men, Life, Population, Rituals, History and Ethnic Relations."Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 5 Dec. 2010. .

Her, By Discovering. "Micronesian Mythology - Myth Encyclopedia - God, Story, Tree, Famous, Animal, Creation, Hero, People, Children, Creatures, Evil, Culture, Fire, Monster, Strength." Encyclopedia of Myths. Web. 3 Dec. 2010. .

"Micronesian Mythology - Myths and Legends of the World | HighBeam Research - FREE Trial." Research - Articles - Journals | Find Research Fast at HighBeam Research. Web. 6 Dec. 2010. .

"Oceanic Mythology: Part IV. Micronesia: Chapter I. Myths of Origins and the Deluge." Internet Sacred Text Archive Home. Web. 8 Dec. 2010. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/om/om21.htm>.

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