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AFRICAN MYTHS: EXPLAINING DEATH
"One day God asked the first human couple who then lived in
heaven what kind of death they wanted, that of the moon or that
of the banana. Because the couple wondered in dismay about
the implications of the two modes of death. God explained to them.
the banana puts forth shoots which take its place, and the moon itself
comes back to life. The couple considered for a long time before they
made their choice. If they elected to be childless they would avoid
death, but they would also be very lonely, would themselves be
forced to carry out all the work, and would not have anybochj to work
and strive for. Therefore they prayed to God for children, well aware
of the consequences of their choice And their prayer was granted.
Since that time man's sojourn is short on this earth."
(From Modagascar)
"Formerly men had no fire but ate all the food row. At that time
they did not need to die for when they became old God made them
young again. One day they decided to beg God for fire. They sent a
messenger to God to convey their request God replied to the
messenger that he would give him fire if he was prepared to die
The man took the fire from God, but ever since then oli men must
die."
From Ethiopia
Q What cultural values are reflected in each of these myths?