Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
J15A — Woman among the Jaguars.
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
OverviewSetting off on a journey (usually in search of a fiancé, husband, or relatives), a woman finds herself in the lair or settlement of large dangerous predators - pumas or jaguars. See motif J15.
Berezkin category: Avenger heroes: The amerinday cycle
This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part of group 10, Adventures.
J15 has 2 other sub-motifs
RelatedJ15. Having set out in search of their husband, relatives, etc., a woman, girl or children accidentally take the wrong road and encounter creatures that kill or harm them.
J15a. Setting off on a journey (usually in search of a fiancé, husband, or relatives), a woman finds herself in the lair or settlement of large dangerous predators - pumas or jaguars. See motif J15.
J15b. While travelling, a woman finds herself in the house of a frog or toad. See motif J15.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| L88 | 99.99% | A man kills a demon, but when he touches its remains some time later, it comes to life. |
| B99 | 99.97% | A person or their head left on a tree turns into an insect nest. |
| B24 | 99.95% | People who have entered into conflict or violated a prohibition are transformed into wild boars or peccaries. |
| B63 | 99.95% | Children lie to their mother, pretending to work in the fields. When the deception is revealed, they are left without a harvest and are transformed into atmospheric phenomena or celestial objects. |
| E19 | 99.95% | Narcotic plants arise from the body of a human being torn to pieces by others. |
| F75 | 99.95% | A hunter sees a tapir summoning a woman who lives in the water with a secret signal; she emerges from the lake or river, and the tapir mates with her. The hunter himself summons the woman and becomes her lover. |
| J9 | 99.95% | Even before they are born, children speak from their mother's womb, showing her the way. |
| K27YY3 | 99.95% | The hero must bring the fruits growing on a tree that is dangerous to approach. |
| L76 | 99.95% | When a female cannibal attacks a man, she devours or tears off his testicles. |
| I5A | 99.89% | The tapir is associated with the upper world (thunder, sky, moon). |
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
17 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 17 traditions: Tewa (San Juan, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Tesuque, Nambe; Hano), Tiwa (Taos, Picuris; Sandia, Isleta), Towa (Jemez), Yanomamo (Yanoama): Yanomam, Yanomami, Wapishana (incl Ataroi); Mapidian; Taruma, Napo (Quijo), Kanelo (“Jungle Kechua”), Barasana, Taibano, Macuna, Machiguenga, Piro (Yine), Suruí, Gaviâo, Zoro, Arua, Cinta Larga, Bakairi, Kuikuro, Kalapalo, Calapalo, Kamayura, Trumai, Bororo, Kaingang, Xokleng, Caduveo, Mbaya, Guarani of Paraguay and Brazil: Caygua, Mbia, Apapocuva, Nyandewa, Chiripa, Manao, Katawishi (Teffe lake); groups of uncertain affiliation mostly from Rio Jamunda
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