Introduction to Mythology

Read the passage from "The Beginnings of the Maasai." Our relationship with Enkai is essential to the tribe. Enkai is neither male nor female. The sky god is powerful, but can change from nurturing to vengeful depending on our behavior. Sometimes Enkai is Enkai Narok, the Black God, happy with us and blanketing the sky with dark clouds that pour out rain to nourish the plains. When angry, though, Enkai becomes Enkai Nonyokie—the Red God. In these times, the sun grows incredibly hot until the earth dries up and becomes barren. Because of this, we work to keep Enkai happy. Which information from this passage about Enkai is most important to include in a summary of the overall story?

The tribe's relationship with Enkai is crucial to them.

Sometimes Enkai is Enkai Narok, the Black God, happy with us and blanketing the sky with dark clouds that pour out rain to nourish the plains.

a people's culture

Which best summarizes the resolution of the conflict at the end of "The Beginnings of the Maasai"?

Although the Kamba chopped down the fig tree, the Maasai tribe are still connected with Enkai through their cattle.

Read the passage from "The Beginnings of the Maasai." Neighboring hunters from the Kamba were jealous of Neiterkob's special relationship with Enkai and the gift of our cattle. Out of vengeance, they hewed the fig tree into little pieces. It was heartbreaking to lose this strong bond with the sky god, but as long as we still have our cattle, we can still feel the joy of being connected to Enkai. Now Enkai lives at the top of Mount Kenya, and we Maasai still live below, herding cattle down in the plains. It's not a bad life, especially when Enkai is the Black God, providing for us. And when the cattle or other children cause problems, I just warn them that they never know when I might suddenly develop my godly powers. Which sentence contains the most elements of a final summary?

Now Enkai lives at the top of Mount Kenya, and we Maasai still live below, herding cattle down in the plains.

Read the conclusion about "The Beginnings of the Maasai," and then answer the question. One purpose of "The Beginnings of the Maasai" is to explain the weather. Which excerpt best justifies this conclusion?

Sometimes Enkai is Enkai Narok, the Black God, happy with us and blanketing the sky with dark clouds that pour out rain to nourish the plains.

Myths often function as a connection to ________, or the customs and beliefs of a group of people.

culture

Read the passage from "The Beginnings of the Maasai." I am the daughter of the great Neiterkob, the Father of the Maasai tribe in Africa. You might think that this makes me special, but my father believes that I should live just like the rest of the tribe. Thus, he sends me to look after our tribe's cattle with the other daughters and sons. These cattle are sacred, because they are actually a divine gift from the sky god, Enkai. Our tribe makes a living by caring for the cattle, feeding them, and protecting them. Which phrase from the passage refers to a key element found in myths?

from the sky god, Enkai

Read the passage from "The Beginnings of the Maasai." Now Enkai lives at the top of Mount Kenya, and we Maasai still live below, herding cattle down in the plains. It's not a bad life, especially when Enkai is the Black God, providing for us. And when the cattle or other children cause problems, I just warn them that they never know when I might suddenly develop my godly powers. The main purpose of the passage is to illustrate the relationship between the Maasai and

their god

Why does Neiterkob's daughter most likely tell the myth "The Beginnings of the Maasai"?

to explain to the reader the origin of Maasai culture

Read the passage from "The Beginnings of the Maasai." These cattle are sacred, because they are actually a divine gift from the sky god, Enkai. Our tribe makes a living by caring for the cattle, feeding them, and protecting them. What is the purpose of this passage?

to explain why the culture honors cattle