In the concrete case of Mexico, and the broader case of Latin America, national myths were first and foremost founded upon the doctrine of 'mestizaje' or racial mixture/miscegenation. That is, as soon as the series of nation-states were formed in the region (early nineteenth century), the idea of a homogeneous and racially unitary society emerged. This myth had been the underlying definition of most Latin American societies, at least up until the incursion of liberal multiculturalism in the late 1980s and early 1990s. What is important to highlight is that this myth of 'mestizaje' defined all aspects of the public life--there was an inherent and cohesive desire to borrow folklore from indigenous peoples and their cultures (indeed, we saw the commodification early on) while aiming to borrow from European civilization its ideas of progress. In the case of Mexico, these ideas were epitomized by the idea of a 'cosmic race' (raza cosmica) by José Vasconcelos.

Interesting, Alejandra. What, if any consequences, do you think it has had?

Do either actually fulfill the question, as good as each is. Interestingly, I feel that the psychotherapies contain many myths-on experience, memory, maturation.

Each nation-state is founded on a discourse of uniqueness. A vaste literature in political science shows how political and intellectual elites contribute to this discourse (Smith, Anderson etc.). As each society is more or less heterogeneous in terms of status, income, culture etc., discourse of uniqueness is crucial for maintaining national unity facing external challenges (like globalisation, European integration etc.). Myths and folklore are means by which uniqueness is enhanced. However, sometimes, old myths lost strength and legitimacy and the discourse of uniqueness becomes a controversial issue. Nowadays, in Switzerland and in UK, the issue of the independent national roots is one of the most crucial in political field.

Politicians of course constantly employ myths to embed points-whether in support or not of liberal or extreme agendas.

The effects have been catastrophic for Latin American societies have been built upon this myth of mestizaje yet a sharp racial and ethnic stratification continues to define all realms of the public sphere.

Most Latin Americans see themselves as “mestizo” or mixed race. This comes with its own paradoxes, claiming descent yet perpetuating a racist logic: 1) denying the existence of indigenous peoples (e.g.,“pure indigenous peoples no longer exist”) 2) discriminating yet appropriating indigenous cultures and livelihoods.

Most Latin American societies are founded upon this paradox.

I have a question on Gandhi on here in which such myths, those perpetuated by the British in India and Gandhi were considered.

I’ll have a look at it.

Thanks, Stanley.

There are too many to list here. But the latest going around is that stated by an Indian Union Minister recently. Stephen Hawkins it seems had got all his knowledge from the Indian Vedas.

My ethnic identity, the Asante kingdom of Ghana has an interesting myth of our origin. It is asserted that our great ancestors came from the ground in the Asantemanso sacred grove in Essumeja in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The secret behind our origin is to extol our mightiness, warlike and ever increasing population- we are gods, they say. Thus, mightier and naturally cushioned to face every challenge on this earth! I am proud to be an Asante and a Ghanaian!

Following

Syria civilization dates as far back as 9000 BC

Several important legends and myths since 9000 BC

Pls. find the attached files

http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/mermaid-mythology.html

http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/mba/index.htm

http://mermaidsofearth.com/on-the-origin-of-mermaids/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inanna

Hello,

Generally speaking, myths and mythical figures, as you have rightly observed, play a pivotal role in maintaining national identities. As a traditional story, usually rooted in the early history of a nation highlighting heroic events involving supernatural beings, myths reflect epic heroes admired for great achievements or affected by grand events. In my country Iran, the most prominent myths are characterized by a great Persian poet called Ferdowsi in an epic narrative labeled as Shahnameh. In this poem, Rostam is an epic hero with extraordinary strength whose devotion to his country is very admirable. This legendary story portrays Rostam as a hero with fantastic qualities and involves both breathtaking events and supernatural beings like Simorq.

Best regards,

R. Biria

Iraq has one of the world's oldest cultural histories. Iraq is where the Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations were, whose legacy went on to influence and shape the civilizations of the Old World. Culturally, Iraq has a very rich heritage. The country is known for its poets and its painters and sculptors are among the best in the Arab world, some of them being world-class. Iraq is known for producing fine handicrafts, including rugs and carpets. The architecture of Iraq is seen in the sprawling metropolis of Baghdad, where the construction is mostly new, with some islands of exquisite old buildings and compounds, and elsewhere in thousands of ancient and modern sites across Iraq.

Unlike many Arab countries, Iraq embraces and celebrates the achievements of its past in pre-Islamic times. What is now Iraq was once the Cradle of Civilization in Ancient Mesopotamia and the culture of Sumer, where writing and the wheel were invented. In the 8th and 9th centuries, the Islamic Abbasid Caliph's presided over what was then one of the world's richest civilizations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Iraq

Mohammed, while granted true, where are the myths?

Emmanuel, well very good books, of course. But I have heard similar nationalistic claims from that source!

Dickson, I wonder how old those myths actually are? I suspect not quite as ancient as they appear.

This an interesting question. In addition to the answers already given, there is a great deal more to add.

On the bright side, we in Canada tend to perpetuate myths about our winters, which are really not as severe as our winter myths would have you believe. For more about this, see

Article Myths and Facts about Winter.

Here is a great source of common myths about winter in Canada:

is Canada not the second largest country in the world right after Russia and among the snowiest in the world? Are we not known in the world because of our famous winter, our snow? Yes! From:

Article Winter in New France: A Constant Battle (1535-1763)

Actually, the eastern part of the U.S. often gets hit with more snow than we have here in Winnipeg during most recent winters.

Still, as someone who hates both the cold and snow it is still not my choice of destination.

The encounters with bears in the forests of N. America has produced a lot of stories, some maybe exaggerated almost mythological. The same must be true for Russia where even the capital is named after the local word for a bear (Maskva, now Moscow, is identical to the Cree-north American native- word).

While working in the Canadian forest for many years I can understand how bears have provided the topic for conversation with countless stories among Canadians.

Michael, does this affect how Canadians view themselves, as in Russia?

Separation of majority from minority (creation of Bangladesh), Enrichment of U-235, Nuclear explosions