Which mythical features are present in "The Beginning of the Maasai”? Select four options.

Question

cows flying through the air among the dusty clouds
a giant tree connecting the earth and the sky
a volcano erupting
the narrator climbing a fig tree as a young girl
the cattle walking down the branches of the fig tree
the narrator being the granddaughter of a god Things would have remained peaceful this way, all of us tending to our cattle and living together with Enkai, if it hadn’t been for the volcano. You see, soon after I was born, a massive volcano erupted right in the middle of the cattle plains. My father tells me that the eruption was so violent that it broke the earth away from the sky and flung Enkai and all of the cattle high up into the heavens. Imagine that! Cows flying through the air! Every time my father tells this story, part of me wants to laugh a little.

But for our people, the Maasai, there wasn’t anything funny about what happened. As the ruler of the sky, Enkai could live well enough up there, but the cattle could not survive in dusty volcanic clouds. The cows became parched and hungry up there. They had no solid earth for roaming and no grass for grazing. Enkai had to do something or risk losing his sacred herd.

Enkai called down to Neiterkob, my father, and said, “Blessed father of the Maasai! My cattle are dying here in the clouds. There is nothing I can do to help them in the sky. I am going to send them down to you so that you can keep them safe and sacred.” Enkai birthed three sons who became the fathers of the three tribes. Enkai gave each tribe a gift to help them succeed in their new home.

Answer 1

The mythical features present in "The Beginning of the Maasai" include:

1. Cows flying through the air among the dusty clouds - This element highlights the fantastical aspect of the cows being flung into the sky due to the volcanic eruption.

2. A giant tree connecting the earth and the sky - While not explicitly mentioned in your excerpt, giant trees are often symbols in mythology that link different realms, which is a common theme in many cultural stories.

3. The narrator climbing a fig tree as a young girl - This detail adds a personal, mythical dimension to the narrator’s experience and connection with nature.

4. The narrator being the granddaughter of a god - This suggests a divine lineage, which is a common element in various mythologies, signifying the special status of the narrator and her people.

These features create a rich, mythical narrative that reflects the Maasai cultural context and their relationship with the divine and nature.

Answer 2

What does the myth attempt to explain? Select four options.

why the Maasai herd cattle
why there is rain and drought
why caring for cattle can be troublesome
why a volcano erupts in the middle of the cattle plains
how the Maasai interact with nature
what the relationship is between supernatural beings and humans

Answer 3

The myth attempts to explain the following:

1. Why the Maasai herd cattle - The story emphasizes the significance of cattle in Maasai culture as sacred and essential for their way of life.

2. Why there is rain and drought - While not directly mentioned in your excerpt, myths often address environmental conditions affecting communities, including the reasons behind such changes.

3. How the Maasai interact with nature - The narrative reflects the relationship the Maasai have with their environment, particularly in the context of cattle, land, and natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions.

4. What the relationship is between supernatural beings and humans - The involvement of Enkai as a ruler of the sky and his connection to the Maasai people illustrates the interaction and relationship between humans and divine beings.

These elements help to frame the cultural understanding of the Maasai people regarding their existence, their environment, and their beliefs.

Answer 4

Who is the central character introduced in the beginning of the myth?

What major conflict is introduced in the beginning?

How is the major conflict developed in the middle?

How is the conflict resolved in the end?

Answer 5

Here’s an analysis of the myth based on the provided excerpt:

1. Who is the central character introduced in the beginning of the myth?

   • The central character introduced in the beginning of the myth is the narrator, who is a young girl and the granddaughter of Enkai, the divine being and ruler of the sky.

2. What major conflict is introduced in the beginning?

   • The major conflict introduced is the violent eruption of a massive volcano that disrupts the natural order, causing Enkai to be separated from his cattle, who are flung high into the sky where they cannot survive due to lack of food and resources.

3. How is the major conflict developed in the middle?

   • The conflict is developed as Enkai realizes that his cattle are suffering in the clouds after the eruption. He recognizes that they cannot survive in a place lacking solid ground and grass for grazing. Enkai's concern for his sacred herd leads him to seek a solution, highlighting the stakes involved in the conflict.

4. How is the conflict resolved in the end?

   • The conflict is resolved when Enkai decides to send the cattle back down to the earth under the care of Neiterkob (the narrator's father). This decision signifies a restoration of order, allowing the Maasai people to care for the cattle once again, thus reestablishing their way of life.

This structure of the myth encompasses the introduction of key characters, the emergence of conflict through natural disaster, the development of that conflict through divine concern, and ultimately, a resolution that restores balance.

Answer 6

Who is the central character introduced in the beginning of the myth?
1. The father of kamba
2. the father of kikyu
3. the father of maasai

What major conflict is introduced in the beginning?

A volcano erupts, sending the cows flying into the sky.
Neiterkob must figure out how to control the herd of the cattle.
Neiterkob cannot figure out how to grow a fig tree that will reach the heavens.

Answer 7

Based on the provided excerpt:

1. Who is the central character introduced in the beginning of the myth?

   • 3. The father of Maasai - The narrator, who is a young girl and the granddaughter of Enkai, relates her story connected to the father of the Maasai, Neiterkob.

2. What major conflict is introduced in the beginning?

   • A volcano erupts, sending the cows flying into the sky. - This event creates the central conflict in the myth, as it leads to the separation of the cattle from the earth and their suffering in the sky.

Answer 8

How is the major conflict developed in the middle?
1. the 3 sons must figure out how to control weather.
2. The cows are starving so they must be returned to the earth.
3. children become stuck after climbing a tree to see the cows.

How is the conflict resolved in the end?
1. The maasai are given the gift of the cattle.
2. the maasai given the ability to contriol weather
3. the maasai are given godly powers

Answer 9

Based on the provided excerpt:

1. How is the major conflict developed in the middle?

   • 2. The cows are starving so they must be returned to the earth. - The development of the conflict focuses on the dire situation of the cattle that are flung into the sky and how Enkai realizes they cannot survive there, emphasizing the urgency of returning them to the earth.

2. How is the conflict resolved in the end?

   • 1. The Maasai are given the gift of the cattle. - The resolution involves Enkai deciding to send the cattle down to Neiterkob, allowing the Maasai to care for them once again, which restores their way of life and honors the sacred connection to the cattle.

Answer 10

Which is the best explanation for why Neiterkob is called the "Beginner of the Earth”?

Neiterkob keeps Enkai happy.
Neiterkob saves the cattle by creating a giant tree to shade them from the volcano.
Neiterkob is the connection between the tribe and the sky god.
Neiterkob cuts down the giant fig tree to keep the cattle on the earth.

Answer 11

The best explanation for why Neiterkob is called the "Beginner of the Earth" is:

• Neiterkob is the connection between the tribe and the sky god.

This title likely reflects his role as a mediator or essential figure linking the Maasai people with Enkai, the sky god. His connection to both the divine and his people emphasizes his importance in establishing the relationship between them and the earth, particularly in caring for the cattle.