The Mythology and Folklore Database
H36GG - The coyote betrays man.
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Source Data from Berezkin's Analytics Catalogue, if using this data please acknowledge and link to it here:
Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.
Summary of Motif
The coyote is to blame for the fact that humans are mortal.Berezkin category: Paradise Lost
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 4, Origin of death, diseases and hard life
H36 has 17 other sub-motifsH36. A character is sent to deliver instructions or certain items. The messenger distorts the message, brings the wrong items, loses what he is carrying, delays (and is overtaken by another messenger). This has important consequences for him and for the future lives of the people. H36a. The character distorts the message conveyed to him, deliberately lies, brings the wrong thing, loses what he is carrying, delays (and is overtaken by another messenger). As a result, people become mortal (they do not revive after death). H36aa. The messenger must tell people what they should do if they want to avoid death, but he distorts the instructions and people become mortal. In Mesoamerican variants, it is not about people in general, but about a specific character. H36b. The chameleon is to blame for the fact that man is mortal or that he must labour; he loses the trust placed in him by the deity. See motif H36. H36c. The lizard is to blame for the fact that man is mortal. See motif H36. H36d. The hare distorts God's command and/or is responsible for the fact that humans are mortal. See motif H36. H36e. The rat is to blame for the fact that man is mortal. H36f. The raven is sent to deliver an important item or message. He distorts the message or loses what has been entrusted to him. H36ff. The raven (crow) or other large bird of prey tries to kill people and/or is responsible for the fact that humans (tigres: domestic animals) are mortal or susceptible to disease. H36g. God sends a messenger to the people to tell them to eat infrequently (once a day, once every three days, etc.). The messenger says that one should eat often – at least two or three times a day. H36g1. When a bull (ox, cow) is ordered to convey certain instructions to people, he confuses them or deliberately distorts them. H36g2. When a character, who later became a dung beetle, was ordered to convey certain instructions to people, he distorted them. H36gg. The coyote is to blame for the fact that humans are mortal. H36h. Creatures, including a frog or toad, must cross an obstacle. This does not go as planned and results in humans becoming mortal. H36hh. The frog or toad is to blame for the fact that humans are mortal. H36i. The goat or sheep is to blame for the fact that man is mortal. See motif H36. H36j. The lark is to blame for the fact that man is mortal. h36k. Trees try to prevent humans from appearing on earth, fearing that they will cut them down. Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of H36's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| A5A | 100.00% | The younger brother (usually the Sun) is made from the urine and swaddling clothes of his older brother (usually the Moon), who was kidnapped as a baby. See motif A5. |
| B107 | 100.00% | During the (world) fire, the oyster burns, which is why oyster shells are black. |
| B28B | 100.00% | The inhabitants of the area where the hero finds himself are afraid of creatures that are tools, utensils, and plants that are now harmless. The hero easily defeats these creatures and usually transforms them into what they are now. |
| B28D1 | 100.00% | Not understanding who he is facing, the man promises to kill the Transformer. The Transformer turns his weapon into deer antlers and him into a deer. |
| B61 | 100.00% | The mole had to hold up the fallen sky and sun. Since then, its paw (hand) has remained dislocated backwards. |
| B64C | 100.00% | Fish, together with other earthly creatures, wage war on the inhabitants of the sky. Falling to the ground, they break their bones, which is why fish have many small bones in their bodies. See motif B64. |
| B91 | 100.00% | The snail had (the most keen-eyed) eyes. Another character borrows them and does not return them. |
| D1A | 100.00% | A girl marries a man whose mother is fire. |
| D4I | 100.00% | The beaver obtains fire for humans. See motif D4A. |
| D4Q | 100.00% | The fly rubs its legs together and produces fire. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 26 traditions: Kiowa Apache, Comanche, Nez Perce, Kalapuya, Takelma, Oregon Athabaskans: Lower Umpqua, Tututni (incl Joshua), Upper Coquille, Galice, Tolowa, Shasta; Chimariko, Yuki (Yuki proper, Coastal Yuki, Huchnob), Pomo, Maidu, Nisenan, Konkov, Achomavi, Yana, Tubatulabal, Northern Paiute (=Paviotso), Washo, Western Shoshone, Gosiute, Upland Yuma: Walapai, Havasupai, Yavapai, Serrano, Cahuilla, Cupeño, Luiseño, Juaneño, Navajo, Chiricahua, Diegueño: Ipai, Tipai, Kamia (Kumeai), Cocopa, Seri, Pima