Whitney Swaim - Myth/Ritual (Outside Topic 4)

When looking back on class notes, I was intrigued by a lecture we had on the sacred qualities of myths and rituals. Prior to this class, I had viewed myths more plainly as significant religious stories. I discovered that myths are instead sacred, rather than merely significant. Myths are perhaps the closest link that primal peoples have to their spirits and creator. Since these myths had to be crafted and then carried down delicately through the ages, they are more than just stories. Myths are like cherished pieces of artwork from long ago. The tribes whom these myths belong to are responsible for taking care of them and making sure they stay accurate. Ritual is a form of preservation of these art forms. Since the myths are so meaningful, then there must be some appropriate way which they can be handled, experienced, and interpreted. Like literate societies cherish precious old documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, oral cultures cherish their myths and must take care of them respectfully.