Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
I119A — Earthquake – are there any survivors?
Source data for narratives and traditions is drawn from Berezkin’s Analytical Catalogue. If you use this data, please acknowledge and link to it: Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.
Summary of motif
OverviewCreatures shake the earth, either upon learning that there are no longer any inhabitants on it, or to check whether they are still alive, or to show that they themselves are still there.
Berezkin category: Supernatural objects, objects and creatures
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 3, Cosmogony, the earth and the sky, etiology of the elements, natural and biological phenomena (fire, water, soil, thunderstorms, dream, etc.), cataclysms and cosmic threats, spirits of nature.
I11 has 2 other sub-motifs
RelatedI11. The turtle (toad, frog) serves as a support (embodiment) of the earth (sky), or the supports of the sky are made from its body.
I11a. Describes how, in the process of creation, the earth is placed on the back of a turtle or frog, which becomes its support.
I11b. The pillars of the sky are made from the legs of a four-legged animal (usually a turtle).
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| M152D | 98.68% | The elephant and the tiger (lion) engage in combat (usually competing to see who can roar louder). The tiger wins and is about to eat the elephant, but a small animal saves it. |
| M152E | 98.65% | A tiger (lion) and another animal compete to see whose roar is louder. The tiger roars louder, but ultimately loses. |
| E9B | 98.62% | Before meeting the hero, his beloved (wife, helper) has the image of an elephant (elephant tusk). |
| K27ZZ2 | 98.62% | Several wives of one man (several sisters) go blind – the older ones in both eyes, and the younger one in one eye. |
| H34C | 98.46% | Rice flew (came) from the field to the house. |
| I8H | 98.36% | The earth is supported by a man and a woman in the underworld. |
| K33A3 | 98.36% | A woman, turned into a turtle because of her rival's intrigues, tries to establish contact with her children or husband. |
| A2B | 98.01% | In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A. |
| H36G1 | 98.00% | When a bull (ox, cow) is ordered to convey certain instructions to people, he confuses them or deliberately distorts them. |
| A2 | 97.95% | There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time. |
See the 100 most similar distributions →
Map of motif dispersal
DistributionDrag the map to pan, use the scroll wheel to zoom — choose a texture or projection below
Traditions
11 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 11 traditions: Tonga, Aka, Baka (Badjue) and other Western (Bantu speaking) Pygmies, Timor: Amarasi, Tetum, Meto, Atoni (incl Mollo), Kedang (Lomblen island), Leti Islands (Leti, Moa, Lakor), Karen, Pa-O, Padaung, Kayah, Shan, Ahom, Khampti, Wa (incl Kawa), Bulang, SW Arunachal Pradesh: Sherdukpen, Tawang (Monpas), Aka (Hrusso), Miji, Kuki, Chiru, Falam (Hallam), Chin (Meitei =Manipuri, Khami, =Kumi), Lakher, Mizo (Lushei), Anal, Pawi (Lai), Purum, Koireng, Milhiem, Kolhen, Mru, Kachin (Singpho), Chak, Lepcha, Tonga (Tsonga; incl, Soli, Sala, Lenje)
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