The Concept of Myths in Cultures Essay

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Introduction

A myth can be described as a story which explains something, an event or a certain situation in the world people live in, with people believing in it. A myth is sometimes referred to as a folk tale. Mostly myths include supernatural or spiritual beings, heroes, historical information and forces of nature. Traditionally, myths were unquestioned and people believed that myths held true explanations of what they experienced in life. However, with the current advancements in science and technology, people usually question things happening in their lives in terms of proven scientific accuracy. Therefore some myths can be proved true while those without any proven are referred to as fictions (Myths and truths, n.d).

Cultures and myths

Majority of the typical ancient cultures, and particularly African cultures, explained the relationship between them and almost everything happening in their lives in terms of myths. In particular, the presence of an unusual event, rare object or an animal was an indication of something new, good, or bad on the way or about to happen. For example the ancient Africans cultures associated almost every aspect of life with myths. They taught their children through the use of folk tales. African American culture adopted myths associated with the African cultures as they were passed through in the form of folk tales and songs, by the descendants of African origin who were enslaved in America myths like ogres who would come to homesteads and eat up a crying child, were supposed to explain to children that crying at night was a bad habit. These folk tales of something bad happening to someone with unaccepted habit were to intend to caution them or instill discipline among people in a certain culture. There is this common myth

in almost every culture, about bad omen associated with the hooting of an owl. Many cultures still hold to the believe that whenever the bird hoots near people’s residents, it’s a sign of something bad about to happen, though there is no any scientific justification.

Myths and mythology greatly influences ones personal and professional life, since what one believes and focuses on in mind, usually happens. A person’s perception on something in life, actions and relationship with other people, can be greatly be influenced by the believe held on particular myth, whether justified scientifically or not.

Conclusion

Myths can be true or false and those which hold some truths or which can be proven scientifically should be inculcated in people’s modern day and civilized lives. They should be used to shape ones personal and professional behaviors, to be morally and socially acceptable in the society. Even those which don’t stand scientific tests but are intended to explain a positive behavior and good relationships between individuals should be encouraged, and not disregarded.

Reference

Myths and Truths. (n.d). 2009, Web.

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IvyPanda. (2021) 'The Concept of Myths in Cultures'. 7 December.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "The Concept of Myths in Cultures." December 7, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-concept-of-myths-in-cultures/.

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IvyPanda. "The Concept of Myths in Cultures." December 7, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-concept-of-myths-in-cultures/.

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