The Dogon myth Amma and Nummo Prepare the World focuses on the story of the world’s creation. However, the Dogon creation myth is unique because it closely intersects with the theme of differentiation between genders, which affected the daily lives of Dogon women. In particular, the myth emphasizes the evil source of women’s menstruation by explaining that it resulted from Jackal’s attempt to acquire the gift of speech (Leonard and McClure 49). Furthermore, Dogon women were forced to stay in huts during their menstruation period because it represented their fertility status to the community (Sole-Smith). Thus, the myth significantly contributed to the perception of women in Dogon culture by positioning women as the divine source of fertility and subjects to sins and evil. In my opinion, the myth presents an interesting case of spiritual connection with human body processes, which defined women’s position in society.
On the other hand, the Iroquois myth Out of the Blue primarily focuses on women’s role in the creation of the world. Contrary to the Dogon myth’s portrayal of Earth, women in the Iroquois myth are described as powerful and self-sufficient beings. For example, when the sorcerer deliberately tries to push his wife into the void to regain his power, she voluntarily jumps down not to show obedience but to explore the new and beautiful world (Leonard and McClure 71). The myth does not negatively affect the perception of women in Iroquois culture because it positions them as equal to men in society. Furthermore, the myth strengthened the rights of Iroquois women to inherit and transfer land and represent the interests of the clan. Thus, comparing the two myths shows how culture and the nation’s understanding of the world’s creation contribute to women’s positions in society.
The modern culture in the U.S. also plays an important role in shaping the population’s perception and understanding of women. However, it is evident that instead of myths, the modern culture heavily relies on popular culture. During the 80s, when more women had an opportunity to get higher education, the wage gap between men and women narrowed significantly. Popular culture, such as music and TV shows, created the image of a strong and independent American woman who serves as the main source of support for her family.
Furthermore, more women in the 80s challenged gender stereotypes in different spheres, such as science and politics. The period was marked by many stories of success from female pioneers. For example, Sandra Day O’Connor became the first female Supreme Court justice associate, and Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly to space. The popular culture of that period continued the trend of representation of strong female figures, contributing to the creation of a more positive perception of women’s position in society in future generations. Therefore, I think that modern pop culture shapes the population’s perception of women similarly to the way myths determine women’s position in society.
Works Cited
Leonard, Scott, and Michael McClure. Myth and Knowing: An Introduction to World Mythology. McGraw-Hill Education, 2004.
Sole-Smith, Virginia. “What Is the Point of a Period?” Scientific American, Web.