above image: Buso, Demons in Mindanao who devoured the flesh of the dead.

Mythology from around the world.

I recently was going through an old Mythology dictionary I own and decided to share some of the more unique stories I found. I have posted some of these myths in my older blog about five years ago. I love ancient myths and mythology and it was my fascination with the ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian pantheon that got me into history. I love sharing these kinds of things and hope you enjoy reading about them. I especially like researching ancient African myths since they are probably the closest thing to what our ancient ancestors believed long, long ago. I love researching about their beliefs and rituals because they are most likely the closest thing to our ancient ancestor’s beliefs.  The hunter/gatherer tribes that still exist in Africa still practice the same beliefs and rituals that our ancient ancestors began hundreds of thousands of years ago that is what makes reading about their culture so fascinating.  I would love to get to spend some time there studying them first hand but until that happens I will have to be satisfied reading about them.  Tribes like the San and Hutu have not changed in thousands of years and as the last of the hunter/gatherers are being assimilated into the 21^st century it is nice to know that some of them still hold onto our ancient ancestors beliefs.

Holawaka: Ethiopian, a messenger-bird from god.

This bird was sent to tell the Galla tribes that they could become immortal by removing their skins when they grew old but the bird, in return for some food, gave the message to a snake who thereafter was able to grow by sloughing off its skin.  As, punishment the gods inflicted a painful disease on the bird.

I like the myths that have to do with explaining how animals got a certain trait.  I can just imagine some inquisitive kids sitting around a fire tens of thousands of years ago asking an elder why a snake sheds.  The ingenuity and imaginations of our ancestors have contributed greatly to not only our beliefs but the expansion of our creativity itself.

Paguk, North American, a moving skeleton in the Algonquin and Ojibwa tribes.

This apparition, said to be the skeleton of a hunter who starved to death, is said to move through the woodlands at fantastic speed with much bone rattling.  Its presence portends the death of a friend.

As I wrote in the intro I grew up hearing tales like this and spending a lot of time in the very woodlands these stories originated and I will be the first to say that there are some crazy noises in the deep forest and I have been frightened more than a few times.  I know next time I’m out taking pictures I will be on the look out for the Paguk and if I do find one I will be certain to share it with you all.

This entry immediately caught my attention and I knew I had to share it. One of the CRAZIEST myths yet!

Iniriri, West Indian, a woodpecker, once there were men but no women.  Then one day four beings with no sex organs fell out of the trees.  The men tied these beings up and the Iniriri, thinking they were trees, pecked holes in their bodies, forming vaginas.

This next one seems like it may have inspired a certain cartoon and song that come around Christmas time…..

Moowis, North American, a snowman that came to life, A man named Elegant nearly died of grief when the maiden Handsome, rejected his love, so he made a snowman which he bedecked with feathers and fine clothes and then gave it life, calling it Moowis.  The maiden fell in love with Moowis and accompanied him when he left on a long journey.  As the days grew warmer, Moowis melted in the heat of the sun and the girl was left with nothing but a handful of feathers.

Abiku, African, Dahomey tribe.  This is the spirit born with each child, which tries to take the child to its forest home.

To prevent a child from being taken, some parents put them in chains while others disfigure the child’s face so the spirit will reject or fail to recognize the child.  These spirits are said not to like bells so some parents fix bells to a child harboring an abiku or rub pepper into the child’s skin, hoping the pain will drive the spirit away.  In some accounts these demons eat children.

 The name “Abiku” which literally means born to die. These are supposed to belong to a fraternity of demons living in woods.

Buso, Demons in Mindanao
These fearsome, one-eyed beings had long-bodied and flat nosed and live in trees.  They dig up corpses which they eat by tearing the flesh of the dead with two long pointed teeth.

This is one of those myths that probably had stemmed from real world problems, animals were more than likely the culprits but the ancient Mindanaoins used superstition to rationalize their fears.  That is what makes these stories so fascinating to me.  I love seeing how our ancient ancestors explained scary or unexplainable problems.

This one comes from the Pacific Islands:
 Gimokod, the soul, when the person dies the soul bathes in the Black River at the entrance to the underworld in order to wash away all recollection of the former life.

To me this one is the Pacific Islanders explanation for reincarnation and I am interested to do a little more research on this particular belief.

Well I hope you enjoyed these little snippets of Mythology from around the world, I plan on diving deeper into these and other myths during the next week or so. I cannot wait to share what I find with you all. Until then have a pleasant day and remember to always question everything until you get the answers you are satisfied with and of course……..PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

above image: Holowaka, an Ethiopian myth.

From the Dictionary of Mythology, an A-Z of themes, legends and heroes.  J.A. Coleman