The Mythology and Folklore Database
F22 - Studying the partner's body.




64 Myths, Legends and Folktales
62 Unique Narratives for Motif F22
32 Cultures & Traditions where F22 is told
120 Mythemes Indexed
1 Sub-Motifs of Motif F22


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 Motif Summary  -   Motifs with Simlar Dispersals  -    Map of Myth Distribution   -   List of Traditions  -   Myths



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 character asks a person of the opposite sex about the purpose of the part of the body used for sexual intercourse (usually after asking questions about other parts). Alternatively, the character tries out different parts of the body for sexual intercourse or for placing the genitals. Cf. motif M63.

Berezkin category: Gender and sex

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part 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


F22 has 1 other sub-motifs


F22.  The character asks a person of the opposite sex about the purpose of the part of the body used for sexual intercourse (usually after asking questions about other parts). Alternatively, the character tries out different parts of the body for sexual intercourse or for placing the genitals. Cf. motif M63.
F22A.  The character repeatedly asks the woman about the names and/or functions of her body parts until he reaches the genitals.

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Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
F1797.39%Human genitals were initially located, should have been located, or could have been located under certain circumstances not where they are now; either there were no genitals initially, or people did not know their purpose and copulated using other parts of the body.
M6395.81%Before reaching the part of the body that is most suitable for certain purposes, others are named or tried. (Cf. Motive F22: The enumeration is related to finding the partner's genitals).
F9A94.82%There are teeth, blades or sharp stones in a woman's vagina or on the inside of her thighs; the vagina is a toothy mouth. (Only texts with a focus on authenticity are taken into account, not anecdotes).
K1I91.77%Near the cliff, at the bottom of the pit, or in the underworld, a tree, reed, or vine grows, which the character uses to descend or climb to the ground.
I6991.63%Luminous celestial objects or atmospheric phenomena are bodily secretions of celestial beings.
L5391.34%The terrifying creature is killed or neutralised by throwing (red-hot) stones, pieces of iron, etc. into its mouth or anus, or the creature retreats when threatened with a stone being thrown into its mouth.
I10B91.23%Individual layers or categories of earth differ in colour (and other characteristics).
C12B90.76%All people or individual ethnic groups, lineages, families are considered descendants of dogs (with which a man mated).
I82A90.67%The Morning and/or Evening Star – a male character.
B75A90.65%The voice of a character who once lived can still be heard (most often it is an echo; A1195, The origin of Echo).

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Map of Motif Dispersal

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This motif has been recorded in 32 traditions: Bilin (Blin, Bilen), Nyatutu, Kiniramba, Isanzu, Bemba (Wemba, Babemba; incl Ambo, Lala, Lamba, Bisa), Holoholo, Kaonde, Bushmen (all groups), Mangareva, Hawaii, Truk, Eastern Fayu, Losap, Pulap, Puluwat, Mortlock (incl. Satawan), Bugi, Macassar, Northern Taiwan: Atayal (Tayal; Taruko (Toda, Taokas, Torok, Taroko), Pazeh, Sedeq (Sediq, Seedeq, Sazek), Saisiyat (Saixia), Sora (Savara, Saora), Parenga, Konds (Khonds; language is Kui, incl Kuttia, Konda-Dora), Koya; Pengo, Lepcha, Koreans, Bulgarians, Balkarians, Western Ukrainians, Iglulik, Assiniboine, Thompson (Nlaka'pamux), Lower Chehalis, Upper Chehalis, (Lower) Cowlitz, Tillamook, Oregon Athabaskans: Lower Umpqua, Tututni (incl Joshua), Upper Coquille, Galice, Tolowa, Luiseño, Juaneño, Jicarilla, Zuni, Tequistlatec, Kekchi; Mopan, Sicuani, Piaroa, Desana, Siriano; Tatuyo, Bara, Tuyuca, Chipaya, Cashibo, Amahuaca, Cashinahua, Sharanahua, Yaminahua, Yawanahua, Capanahua)


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