About

Mythology is a collection of Myths, especially ones belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition. For example, African American Mythology is a collection of myths specific to African American culture.

All communities and societies that develop collective cultural identities have formed and developed legend and superstition. As these communities grew larger into civilizations, so did their stories and their need to identify themselves with the world around them. Patterns of occurrence, be they innate in the nature on earth, or those consistently viewed in man’s behavior, became entities, embodied with names and characteristics. Human beings develop cultural identities that permeate their communities through rituals and traditions through myths. These stories became the earliest forms of religion, politics, education, law, etc. The civilization’s existence revolved around its relationship with the nature of the observable patterns or perceived realities around them.

From these mythological tales are born what we refer to as gods and heroes. These characters become recognizable beings or figures to which a particular culture can relate. They tend to embody what the culture or society views as both exceptional and acceptable in that specific time and place. The community then enforces actions they should strive to achieve through their acts, behaviors, morals, values, etc.

As time passes, perceived realities change. With those changes, so do societies’ views on civilization and culture. As a result, heroes, gods, mythologies, fairytales, folklore, legends evolve to suit the needs of the new cultural standards. Some gods, heroes, full myths, etc., die off as they lose their ability to apply meaning to the relationship of observable patterns.

The loss of cultural standards may occur due to conquest, migration, natural disaster, or any other external factor leading to the loss of knowledge and information within any group of people. Still, wherever the impacted community finds themselves after defeat, they immediately develop new stories which grow into legend, folklore, fairytale, and even new myths or religious beliefs. This behavior may be considered an aspect of human nature.

Mythologies and, more precisely, stories, in general, remain a central component of human existence. Without accounts that allow human beings to reflect on their relationship to the observable patterns of realities around them, they would neglect a need as natural as food and water consumption. Be they the depths of our emotions or the infinite conjuring of our imagination; we need stories to help us understand ourselves and the world around us. To be deprived of this fuel or sustenance is to be deprived of the literal energy of one’s soul.

Khalid Abdulqaadir