Muldays Mondays: Water Mythology- Spirits & Deities Nigeria, Thailand & Japan

Folklore & Mythology

Last time on Folk & Mythology, I spoke about the result of the uninterrupted imagination birthing folklore and mythology.  This birth of the uninterrupted imagination shapes the identity of people. It allows us to understand a society's traditional identity but more importantly their understanding of relating to other groups.

What happens to the interrupted imagination of a society after colonialism or war? 

Have you observed the prevalence of Western folklore and mythology in Asian and African Spaces?
What about folklore and mythology from Africa and Asia in Western Spaces? Do you remember learning about panchatantra stories? What about Bantu fables? 
 

“What are the consequences from ”modernization” and technology towards societies that abandon traditional folklore and mythology? ”

— Water & Cassava

Asian countries have made significant strides to celebrate their folklore and mythology out loud in public spaces. They do not feel "uncivilized" or that their "salvation" might end. 

THAILAND

Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok, Thailand (Departure Gate)-Samudra Manthan
(The Churning of the Ocean of Milk)

A Short Video on how just how this started

The short movie here: the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, is the introduction to a Keynote/ slideshow introduction on Ayurveda. (The link to view the whole presentation is below). I have tried to present the story of Ayurveda, so that, like its name (Ayu-Life and Veda-Knowledge) the story would give anyone an understanding of the fundamental principles of this ancient Medical system.

Folklore and Mythology are part of a society's cultural heritage and  play a  role in the branding of the country.  Developed countries have mastered the art of making their mythology and folklore romantic and  marketable to the global community.  

Snow White, a Germanic classic fairy tale is currently marketed to young girl as this:

However, this is the Original Story of Snow White

Disney World has mastered the art of marketing European Folklore and Mythology in Western spaces and in Asia with locations in Japan and China. However there are no such theme parks  in the West, or in Asia and Africa that continuously promote the folklore or mythology from those spaces. Disney World resorts worldwide allow guests to meet Snow White, Ariel and even sleep in Cinderella's Castle. Disney World resorts in 2016 made a profit of $4.6 billion dollars. 

The Cinderella Castle Suite at Walt Disney World. 

“Should we blame Cultural Cringe for the absence of theme parks that promote folklore & Mythology originating from Africa & Asia?”

— Water & Cassava

SPIRITS & DIETIES OF THE OCEAN: JAPAN & NIGERIA

JAPAN

As most stories found in mythology and folklore often begin, it stems from the imagination’s desire to survive and create a habitable world in this life and the afterlife. Without further ado, here are the Gods of the Ocean from Nigeria and Japan. 

SUIJIN(SUITEN-水天), GOD OF WATER IN JAPANESE shinto MYTHOLOGY

Suijin Festival

Suijin in Shinto mythology is the force found in water. This force manifests sometimes as a snake, whale or fish and has a pair of funa fish as messengers. Suijin is part of the divinity force that makes up the shinto divinity of water. This manifestation can be found in ocean, lakes, ponds and is god or goddess to all mythical creatures found in bodies of water. Suijin is also prayed to by expecting mothers to be during childbirth. This force is also charged with the responsibility of fertility, motherhood, and easy childbirth. It should be noted that Suijin is described as male or female . 

NIGERIA

OLOKUN-NIGERIAN-THE YORUBA GOD(GODDESS) OF WATER

Olokun Seniade

I grew up knowing this entity as a God(shaped like a merman) but there are populations that refer to this entity as a goddess. As our mentioned Japanese counterpart, he is expected to help women conceive. He appears as a mudfish as well as a black mermaid. Olokun is a manifestation known as a Orisha. Orisha's are manifestations of the universal GOD known as Olorun. He is also responsible for all mythical creatures found in bodies of water. 

Olokun Festival

There is a profitable market for the commercialization of cultural heritage tangibles and intangibles such as folklore and mythology unfortunately African countries have not mastered the art of this unique form of branding.

Muldays-Mondays : The Mythical Water Reptilians of Egypt and Korea

Over a month ago, we looked at the Mer-Ladies of Asia & Africa. We discussed the importance of Folk & Mythology and why such stories are important. Would you like to understand the importance of the uninterrupted imagination? Visit our Mul-Mondays entry on the Merladies of Asia and Africa. 

“Water is an intrinsic part of most spiritual beliefs...its spiritual and healing properties are seen in rites and rituals; and its representations are as numerous as they are diverse. These different.....[cultural aspects of water reflect the vast array of civilizations that have made water the central element in their practices]. ”

— UNESCO Water and World Views

So often African and Asian Folklore and Mythology gets lost in narratives and popular culture. 

SOBEK, "CROCODILE EGYPTIAN GOD"

Sobek offspring of Neith, Set and Khnum. Yes, all three siblings created him!! The Egyptian Gods have nothing on the ancient Mesopotamian Gods and their constant lack of sexual boundaries. He was worshipped and respected as the creator of the Nile. He was the God of Birth, Rebirth, and fertility.

He is depicted as a crocodile or a crocodile headed man. He was a complicated God, because based on the time-period and region of Egypt, he was either respected or feared. He also appears in the Book of the Dead, anytime you guest star in that book, well you are not remembered for love. Speaking of love, Sobek was also viewed as a protective God and he was respected in the underworld as he protected the dead from Set's wrath. Sobek was not know for his patience, something he shares with his friend in Korea.

“Sobek in crocodile form laid eggs on the Nile banks, thus starting creation as we know it....”

— Egyptian Mythology from a long time ago

“Depending on who is telling the story, Sobek and the Egyptian God Amen are the same people. Oh you didn’t know Amen was a God?”

— Water & Cassava

Temple of Sobek

Sobek

IMUGI, IMOOGI 이무기

이무기 are very old serpants that come from Korean Folklore and Mythology. In the development and growth of dragons, 이무기 is the first stage and dragon is the last stage. 이무기 stay under cold water for 1,000,000 years in order to become a dragon. They also do not breath fire but create storms from their roars. The sight of  이무기 means good luck. 

WORLD KINDNESS DAY......

On behalf of everyone here, Happy World Kindness Day! Depending on your location this is a week event.

See you next Mulday

Silk Road Thursdays

Silk Road Thursdays because the Silk Road was the most powerful display of cultural interaction between Africa and Asia. Both cultures were present in each other spaces through the exchanges of commerce, culture, religion, arts, theology, food, technologies, sciences, textiles and so much more!  The cultural diplomacy between the two occurred via land and sea routes connecting both civilizations for thousands of years.

The countries of South Korea, Japan and China have practiced varieties of Soft Power with Africa for quite some time now.

This cloud map is a nod to just about everything that made up the Silk Road. However my focus will be on the big three and as always I will touch on any interesting practices, I observe by Southeast Asia or even Central Asia.
 

Shah Abbasi Caravanserai - Meybod, Iran

Caravanserais were extremely popular for travelers along the silk route, they were inns found in desert regions. 

Cassava Diplomacy: Before we start......

Cassava Diplomacy will be the term I use for African Soft Power. Soft Power in Africa countries is impossible, I have heard this so many times. The problem with the interrupted imagination is the inability of to see self in another framework outside of the imposed interruption.

Did you read the first entry of Mul-Day? That was my first time using the word interrupted imagination referring to self.

Every African country has the capability of using this cultural diplomacy tool known as soft power.  However due to current affairs of certain countries and regions out of the 54 countries, only 20 countries have the capability of sustaining this method of diplomacy. There is a possibility with proper strategic management and leadership that out of the remaining 34, 10 of those countries can start this conversation.

Source Nana Adwoa Sey.

I have observed that there is a hierarchy of appropriate professions in Africa and throughout the diaspora.
Professions in Fields such as: Medicine, Law, Engineer and Business are praised. 
Professions in Fields such as: Sociology, Anthropology, Arts & Languages are shunned.

“Would you care to guess who continues the narrative of African countries, cities and regions as dangerous, primitive and the breathing metaphor of hell on earth?”

— ??

“ Governments are responsible for communicating cultural diplomacy globally but the people share a responsibility in educating and promoting their culture as well.
”

— Water & Cassava

Until next time,

Let me know your thoughts on soft power and cultural diplomacy.