1. Myths and Mythology

2. Origin Stories--Genesis
Role of the Creator
Role of Humans
God creates by his will and his word. Takes six days—creates light/dark, heaven/earth, land/seas, plants, sea life, animals, and finally man, in His own image.
Humans are given dominion over all of God’s creation—plants, animals, everything.

3. Origin Stories—Old Man
Role of Creator
Role of Humans
Old man travels and shapes the world, by impulse and accident. Makes decisions upon chance—will buffalo poo float?
Created out of clay; takes several days to form. Woman is first created. Get to make decision if they live or die.

4. Origin Stories—Ugandan/African
Role of Creator
Role of Humans
Kabezya-Mpungu creates/instructs his children and then leaves. Children Sun/Moon/Darkness/Rain are left in charge.
Humans are vessels for Mutima, a longing for the vanished god.

5. Origin Stories--Chinese
Role of Creator
Role of Humans
P’an Ku divides the heavens/earth from Chaos but then dies (after 36,000 years). His body creates the planet, plants, sun and moon, rivers.
Created by Nu-kua out of clay, for her amusement.

6. Origin Stories--Uranus
Role of Creator
Role of Humans
Gaea has a son Uranus; she marries him and they create monsters (hundred-handed giants and cyclops) and titans. Son Kronos attacks his father for imprisoning his monster brothers.
Titan Prometheus creates humans out of clay.

7. Origin Stories-Kronos/Zeus
Role of Creator
Role of Humans
Kronos marries Rhea and gives birth to Greek gods; he eats all of them but Zeus, who defeats him with help of giants and cyclops.
Gods teach the humans how to act and behave.

8. Origin Stories--Norse
Role of Creator
Role of Humans
Frost-giant Ymir creates trolls (feet) and giants (armpit); cow Audumla licks Buri into being. His son Odin kills Ymir and creates the world from his dead body.
Made from trees by Odin; live in Midgard, which was created out of Ymir’s eyebrows.