Lesson 8 - Short Essay (4)

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1 1 GERM_3520W Monika Fischer Lesson 8 - Short Essay The Comparison of Mongolian and Māori Folktales The thematic elements of folktales are deeply rooted in the historical, cultural, environmental, and geographical characteristics of the region from which they emerged. These components exhibit both similarities and differences across regions due to the influence of diverse cultures and historical experiences. An area surrounded by the sea has a higher probability of containing more stories with themes of sea creatures or water than a landlocked domain. Regional folktales can reflect historical aspects, as evidenced by the emergence of tragic epic stories in regions experiencing turmoil. New Zealand’s isolation as an island nation has contributed to its limited expansion and peace. Mongolia, on the other hand, being landlocked, has a history of frequent militaristic expansion into adjacent countries like Korea, China, or Russia. Essentially, this examination will focus primarily on the folktales of “How Maui Slowed the Sun” and “The Legend of Erkhii Mergen, the Archer” from these two distinct cultures. Despite their differences, the Māori of New Zealand and the Mongolians share enlightening similarities in their folktales. In Māori folklore, there is a story called “How Maui Slowed the Sun.” This story follows Maui, who notices that the sun is moving too quickly across the sky, causing there to not be enough daylight. Thus, Maui decides to slow down the sun himself. He creates a giant net made of flax and sets sail with his team to confront the sun in its nighttime cave. Maui and his team wait until the sun emerges from its cave and begins its journey across the sky. They then capture the sun in their net and beat it with a magic jawbone until it surrenders. The sun promises Maui and his team that it will not move so quickly anymore, allowing for more daylight. On the other hand, in Mongolian folklore, there is a story called “The Legend of Erkhii Mergen, the Archer.” This story takes place in a time when multiple suns appeared

2 2 in the sky, causing great harm to the Earth and its inhabitants. The only person who could save the Earth was the famous archer Erkhii Mergen. Erkhii Mergen vowed to shoot down each sun with one arrow. If he failed, he would cut off his thumbs and live the rest of his life as a lowly marmot. Nevertheless, Erkhii Mergen failed to shoot down the last sun and was forced to live out his days as a thumbless marmot. Despite their origins from vastly diverse cultures and perspectives, the Mongolian folktale “The Legend of Erkhii Mergen, the Archer” and the Māori folktale “How Maui Slowed the Sun” share striking similarities. Both tales revolve around the sun and its influence on human life. In the Mongolian tale, multiple suns scorch the Earth and its inhabitants. Erkhii Mergen, a skilled archer, vows to eliminate these destructive suns, promising to sever his thumbs if he fails. While successfully vanquishes all but one sun, he is banished to live as a thumbless marmot. Conversely, the Māori tale narrates Maui’s quest to tame the sun, whose rapid movement across the sky limits daylight hours. Maui and his crew capture the sun in a flax net and subdue it with a magic jawbone, forcing it to slow its pace and provide ample daylight for the people. Both tales underscore the theme of humans interfering with the natural world. However, the Māori seek to extend the sunlight while the Mongolians wish to rid the sunlight to prevent the immense heat from destroying the world. The landlocked nature of Mongolia implies that the multiple suns could represent other regions attempting to harm Mongolia. Therefore, their historical background of war is displayed through the multiple suns damaging the people. Another similarity involves the hero obtaining wounds regardless of self-infliction. In the Māori tale, Maui’s hair and skin are seared by the sun. On the other hand, Erkhii cuts his thumbs off. In the Mongolian story, the excessive number of suns disrupts the delicate balance of nature. Similarly, Maui’s actions alter the sun’s natural course, albeit with beneficial intentions. The absence of fishing and the ocean in the Mongolian tale reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Mongols, who were primarily landlocked. Similarly, in the Mongolian tale, only the land and rivers are mentioned to be affected by the sun with no mention of oceans. In contrast, the Māori tale’s emphasis on fishing highlights the importance of the sea to Māori culture. Lastly, the sun is not personified in the Mongol tale. In the Māori tale, the sun talks to the natives of New Zealand. Hence, this difference

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