How do people from different cultures view themselves, the world, and their origins? The answer to this interesting and important question can be found at the Big Myth Web site.
Funded by the European Socrates Commission and the Dutch Ministry of Education and Culture, this site uses animated graphics, music, and rich design to bring the backgrounds of various cultures to life.
The site starts with a large map of the world showing different areas that can be chosen. Go to North America and choose Iroquois, Navajo, or Inuit. Or, scan the world for Celtic, Greek, Hawaiian, Zulu, Japanese, Inca, Aborigine, and many more. The creation myth, the culture, and the pantheon of each of these groups is presented in an interesting and informative manner.
The Web site also has a teacher’s guide, discussion forum, and exercises that offer questions on the chosen culture. Each visitor is encouraged to write their own creation myth for an imaginary country from any time period, even the future. The best of these are posted online and can be read in the Gallery of Myths . This is a great educational site for youngsters, but it also offers insightful information for learners of all ages.
