Norse and Navaho Myths and Cultures

Comparisons of the origin of the myths of the Norse and Navaho cultures
The Norse mythology entails the native pre-Christian religion, legends, together with the beliefs. The Norse mythology belonged to the Scandinavian people as well as the people who settled in the Iceland. The culture of the Norse mythology entails numerous tales of various deities, heroes, and beings (Schjødt 3). These tales were derived from different sources from and after the period of the pagan; that encompasses folk tradition, archeological representation, and the medieval manuscript. Besides, the Norse gods as one the mythological characters are the characters that are derived from the Northern Germanic tribe dating 9th century AD. Most of the Norse mythological stories were passed from one generation to another in the form of poetry between the period of an 11th century and the 18th century. Between these periods, several of the medieval texts were written, including the famous Eddas (Ciklamini 138).
However, the Navahos had settled on the Colorado Plateau for centuries before the legendary Christopher Columbus arrived in America. It is worth noting that the Navahos were not the first inhabitants of the Colorado Plateau because both the archeologist and the historians believed that the Ice-Age Paleo-Indian hunters had occupied the land earlier. Based on the cultural perspective, Navahos myth claims that they arrived in America by four salient levels of the world. As for the Navaho legends, they are said to be one of a fascinating folklores among the Native Americans.

This is because they are associated with mystical creatures such as the dreaded coyotes and the Skinwalkers. However, unlike the Norse mythological stories that were documented, Navahos mythical stories were passed from one generation to another generation by simple word of mouth. The Navaho folklores are associated with the magic and fantasies. Moreover, the Navaho culture believed in the sacredness of the rising and the setting of the sun. They purported that the sun is always most potent when rising explaining why they used to offer their prayers and sacrifices during this time. They also believed in the deity of the Father the Sun who had the responsibility of currying with him the sun (Boas 373).
The myths, culture, and their understanding of the world and the values it expresses
Both the Navaho and the Norse culture and mythology are derived from the existence of the divine force. This divine force can be said to be responsible for the existence of both the spirits and the personifications of all the spirits and gods that exist in the world. Therefore, the both the Norse and Navahos view the world and all the forms on it as a true reflection of the world and the universe. The different forms of the world that the two mythological views as the reflection of the divine force include the humans, the plants, mountains, water bodies, aquatic life, and even other animals (Schjødt 10). Therefore, the two mythologies believe that the world, the universe, and the lie in them is because of the work of the divine force that is beyond both the understanding as well as the control of the humans. Moreover, they also believe that even the existence of the humans is because of the same divine force (Ciklamini 142).
Navaho mythology and culture
Navahos culture has very many myths, one of them is the spirit woman that came from the North in the form of a white buffalo. This myth represented the Navahos desire to lead not only a holy life but also to remain connected with the Great Mystery. Therefore, the culture of the Navajos recognized and embraced the need for the world to remain faithful to the creator by exercising good deeds that can appease him. Moreover, the Navahos culture believed that doing good deeds that are in the position of pleasing the Great Mystery is the only way of continuing reaping from the bounties that come as a reward. Therefore, according to the Navahos, the world need to exercise both good deeds and values as a recipe for enjoying the abundances from the Great Mystery such as good health and an endless supply of food (Boas 375).
In the myth of the encounter, the two young men that encountered with the spirit portrayed two sets of different attitudes. The one that was oblivious of the spirit perished by being reduced to the bones. This showed that the world is not ready to accommodate foolish people. Moreover, from the myth, it can be deduced that the Navahos culture detested foolishness because they believed that the only reward for being foolish is death (Wyman 211). Additionally, from this myth, another dimension of how the Navahos perception of the world and its values is also revealed. Navahos culture holds it that anyone who has great attachments with the worldly things and its pleasures is susceptible to be consumed by the vices of the world. Consequently, the Navahos believed that the world always pays well with good and evil with evil. Therefore, it is of great importance for an individual to exercise good values to attract good fortunes of the world (Wyman 212).
Another Navahos myth is the pipe. According to them, the pipe is very significant because the smoke that comes from it symbolizes the link between them and the spirit world. It means that their culture is closely linked to the spirits that they regard to be very secretive. However, a scrutiny of this myth reveals one fundamental aspect of the Navaho’s culture (Wyman 212). It can be argued that they view the world in two aspects, namely the spirit world and the earthly world. However, there is a thin line separating these two worlds. That line can be argued to be death. After the death of the Navaho, the individual is believed to be joining the spirit world. However, the type of the spirit that one assumes after death depends on the individual’s deed while living. Consequently, it is without a doubt that the Navahos culture believed in the life after death (Wyman 213).
The Norse mythology and culture
The Norse mythology featured very many myths, and each of the myth represented their perception of the word and its values. For example, in the myth of the Gods and other beings, very many gods are featured, but one notable one is the Thor. The myth provides a perfect portrayal of the Thor to represent the ideal manner in which humans should interact with the world (Schjødt 11). As a result, humans must be ready to fight against his enemy, love and even marry. Furthermore, the cosmology of the myths reveals the relationship between the earthly world and the spiritual worlds. According to the cosmology myth. Nine worlds in total are interrelated. Just like the case of the Navaho, Norse also believed in the life after death. In addition, the Norse also advocated for the good deeds and values as a way of harmonious coexistence between the gods and the humanity (Ciklamini 148). Therefore, the Norse and the Navaho myths and cultures provide a better way of understanding the world we live in. Both cultures are to the idea that the world was formed, controlled by the most powerful force. The same force is also controlling the humans together with everything that is beneath it. Furthermore, the same force requires humans to live an upright life without either oppressing others or exercising evil deeds.
Works cited
Boas, Franz. “Northern Elements in the Mythology of the Navaho.” American Anthropologist
A10.11 (1997): 371-76. Web.
Ciklamini, M. “The Chronological Conception, in Norse Mythology.” Neophilologus 47.1
(2013): 138-51. Web.
Schjødt, Jens Peter. “Contemporary Research into Old Norse Mythology.” Reflections on Old
Norse Myths (2007): 1-16. Web.
Wyman, Leland C. “: Mythology and Values: An Analysis of Navaho Chantway Myths .
Katherine Spencer.” American Anthropologist 60.1 (2008): 211-12. Web.