Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif

E35 — Webbing between the fingers.

64 Myths, legends and folktales
64 Unique narratives for motif E35
41 Cultures & traditions where E35 is told
0 Sub-motifs of motif E35
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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

Overview

The first humans or creatures created by the Creator's rival were incomplete, not fully anthropomorphic (they resembled larvae, had webbing on their fingers, etc.).

Berezkin category: The origins of people and culture

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 5, Origin of human beings, ethnic groups, etiology of human anatomy, strange body configuration, ways of behavior, marriages before the establishment of the present norms.

Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns

Phylogeny
MotifSimilarityMotif summary
A2188.77%The sun and/or moon were objects that were thrown or placed into the sky.
I45B88.25%If you point your finger or stare intently at a rainbow, you will fall ill, or the finger you pointed with will rot or wither away.
I8C86.68%The earth is prevented from falling or swaying because it is tied with ropes.
F64B86.01%A woman pretends to be someone else in order to seduce her son, brother, daughter or grandson. See motif F64.
B4184.76%Because the dog spread certain information, argued with its owners, and spoke at inappropriate times, it lost the gift of speech.
I100B84.05%The Pleiades - a group of people of any gender and age. See motifs i99 - i100A, aggregate data.
L11183.81%The inhabitants of the sky or shamans catch or want to catch earthly people with a hook, net, noose, etc., dragging them up into the sky (somewhere above) like fishermen pull fish out of the water; the inhabitants of the earth fish with hooks for fish, which in their own world are people or domestic animals.
A1683.27%Every night, the sun passes by creatures or objects that try to swallow or destroy it.
H1283.18%The living visit the afterlife to bring back the dead (except for texts about a shaman bringing back the soul of a sick person), or, without a specific goal, go there accompanied by or following in the footsteps of the recently deceased.
A12D82.96%Birds attack the sun or moon during an eclipse (covering them with their wings) or (*) cover the sun during sunrise or sunset. See motif A12.

See the 100 most similar distributions →

Map of motif dispersal

Distribution

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Traditions

41 recorded

This motif has been recorded in 41 traditions: Tonga, Tasmania, Southeast Australia: Kamilaroi, Yualarai (Ualarai, Euahlayi), Milpulo (Mailpurgu), Wuradjeri (Wiradjurim, Wiradjeri, Wurundjeri, Yarra, Yarra Yarra), Wongaibon (Wonghibon), Noongahburrah (Narran, Narran River), Kurnai, and many others (see file 0.doc), Central Australia: Kaitish, Warramunga, Arunta (Aranda), Loritja (Kukatja), Pijandjara (Pitjantjara), Adnjamatana (Andjamathana, Wailpi), Aluridja, Walpiri (Walbiri), Aluridja, Matuntara (Maduntara), Nambutji, Wamma (=Wommana?), Trans-New Guinea and unclassified Papuan groups of Irian Jaya: Mejprat, Arandai-Bintuni, Inanwatan-Berau, Papua of Gelvink (Cenderawasih) Bay, Kamoró, Marind Anim, Sawi, Mafore; Korowai; Kwerba; Momina, Eipo, Yale, Awyu, Fiji, Samoa, Toraja (Toradja), To Mori, Baree (=Eastern Toraja), Batak (Toba, Dairi), Simeulue, Nias, Bidayuh (incl. Maloh), Iban (Sea Dayak), Sakarram; Brunei, Mindanao and Sulu: Blaan (Bilaan), Bagobo, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Hiligáynon, Binukid, Magindaan (=Magindanao: main Muslim population), Mandaya, Mansaka, Manobo (Agusan, Ata, Dibabawon, Sarangani, Ilianen), Maranao, Samal, Subanon (=Subanun), Subanen, Tboli, Southern Taiwan: Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Saaroa, Ketangalan, Wa (incl Kawa), Bulang, Eastern Arunachal Pradesh: Abor (incl Minyong, Shimong, Padam, Pasi, Panggi), Apa Tani (Apatani), Bori, Bugun, Dafla (=Nyishi, Nisi, Nishing, incl Tagin), Gallong (=Galo, Adi), Mishmi, SW Arunachal Pradesh: Sherdukpen, Tawang (Monpas), Aka (Hrusso), Miji, Nganasans, Tungus (Evenki): Baikal region, Evenks, Tungus (Evenki) of China (Solon, Birar, Oroqen, Manegir), Evenks, Tungus (Evenki): Russian Far East, Evenks, Western Tungus (Evenki), Western Siberia Tungus (Evenki): Sym River, Ket River, Kiowa Apache, Choctaw, Chicasaw, Western Apache (White Mountain, San Carlos), Hopi, Zuni, Tewa (San Juan, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Tesuque, Nambe; Hano), Tiwa (Taos, Picuris; Sandia, Isleta), Towa (Jemez), Yuma proper (Quechan), Mohave, Maricopa, Kogi (Cagaba), Sanha, Creols of Aritama Valley, Guiana Kariña, Kaliña, Galibi, Siona, Secoya, Coreguaje, Chayahuita , Tupari, Makurap, Sakirap, Ajuru (Wayoro), Paresi, Tonga (Tsonga; incl, Soli, Sala, Lenje), Tokelau, Ilimpii Tungus/Evenki, Yerbogachen Tungus/Evenki, Tungus/Evenki of Nercha - Chita area, Fiji

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