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.

Friday Ramblings- The One About Uncertainty

Rambling is defined by Webster as:

·      passing from one topic to another

·      using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea

Reality is defined by Webster as:

·      the quality or state of being real

·      a real event, entity, or state of affairs

·      totality of real things and events

·      something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

-Isms are just my own colloquialisms .

What did you miss so far?

On the Stage

Introducing the Audience to: African Gastrodiplomacy and Soft Power

In many ways that I say “YESSSSSSSSSSSSS”....I feel so unaccomplished like NADA. I arrived here the last week of April and this makes me 6 months old in the city of Seoul. I am like a 6-month-old unable to communicate verbally, I still do not speak Korean. Yet with a strange WTF form of assimilation, I understand the following Korean:

Coffee Shop Korean
Grocery Store Korean
Cab Driver Korean

I would not know how to tell you how I got here. I HONESTLY do not know. I think not knowing but understanding that I have nothing to fall towards drives me and honestly scares me to pieces. I was told that I looked so good, few days back and I thought to myself

“I AM NOT TO SURE HOW YOU SAY THAT, I AM BARELY SURVIVING HERE. I DO NOT NETWORK QUICK AND FAST ENOUGH. I CAN’T HANG OUT BECAUSE WELL I HAVE NO MONEY. ALL I HAVE ARE MY DREAMS.… DREAMS DO NOT PAY RENT”

— Person behind Water & Cassava

THE CASE OF $%^K BOYS....

I have dealt with so called men that are made not of heart, drive and soul but of misogyny and chauvinism. I was told by a #$%* boy that I should get married and have children. My husband would take care of me and I guess my degrees and professional background would just collect dust. However, after trying to oppress me, he wanted me to hear about the oppression “his people” are currently facing. 

He shared why I could not make in Korea in this order:-

I am not married to a Korean
I do not have a Korean boyfriend

“I DID NOT LEAVE THIS GREAT LAND”

— So I was born in Texas...

“OR THIS LAND THAT BIRTH THIS BLUE BOOK”

— Made of Corn Bread, Blue Corn and Beans

For a penis
 

“What does it say about the value of a woman in your society, if just their p&#$ is of value. I hope you did not think that was a bit harsh.. After all this guy here said.....”

— Water & Cassava

Anyway…..

The Better Together 2017 Event

I really cannot stress how moved I felt that I was invited. I spoke about Africa soft power within the context of Gastrodiplomacy. I was put in a hotel room!!!! How could this be?? ME????? I met some good people like set your soul on fire good. I have one more event coming up and I will be done for this year. I will post that on ESE & SEGYE this Sunday.

I get scared so many times because again, I left a job for uncertainty …..I really believe this could work, I mean really work you know?

The Korea Peninsula & Me

What can I say?. Honestly, I am more scared of Washington, D.C than the major players over here. I feel safer here than I do in the states, I know that makes no sense to someone not over here or invested in Asian affairs. I love Asia like people hold on to the idea that Jesus was not a colored man killed while unarmed. I am on a roll so just keep reading…

Beauty & Uncertainty

I am not to sure why some men think complimenting my or any woman’s aesthetics is the way to go. It makes me want to punch someone in the face…. I am not impressed by your aesthetics, I never asked you to be pleased or even compliment mine.  I do not say, “Oh you are so handsome and tall”. I am here for business, I do not care if you are handsome or tall.
 

Okay, I compliment tall people, everywhere I go. This is because I am tall, and I am awesome. I am 5ft 11inches and I feel my fellow tall people should see each other and acknowledge our height. I am also aware that there is a chance, I have a reverse napoleon complex. I just personally always saw myself as a giraffe. I was always complimented as a child on just how my neck was like a giraffe. I wanted to grow up just like giraffe!

While people might think giraffes are gentle giants, which they are so gentle and beautiful. Please understand a giraffe will kill you or any mammal with one kick. I grew up in Africa, what in the hell did you want me to be? Barbie????

Survival & Uncertainty

I do not know how I eat, pay rent and just live. Ahh to be fair, I really live on coffee and a bagel. I love Coffee, I do not understand the logic of people that believe Coffee can not be food. 

High in antioxidants and just makes the whole world better!

I am so scared of failure and just everything in between and sideways of my journey right now. I believe in #cassavadiplomacy with my heart and soul and I just know this could work!!

Shit I need to figure out rent and…….

See you next Friday Ramblings…..

Public Health Wednesdays (PHW) Health Month Observances: Sugar & Skin

National Healthy Skin Month- In the U.S.

Be proactive towards your health not reactive. 

See you next PHW

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

Water & Cassava- Out of the Office November 6th - November 12th

World Culture Open Calling all passionate visionaries around the world with a zest for positive impact and the greater good! Join us at a 3-day creative retreat in Cheongju, South Korea, that brings together​ ​500+ dreamers, practitioners and changemakers from around the world​ ​for an inspiring exchange of ideas and a celebration of being #BetterTogether!

Make sure to follow and like us on our Social Media Channels.

See you next week!