The Mythology and Folklore Database
I119A - Earthquake – are there any survivors?




10 Myths, Legends and Folktales
10 Unique Narratives for Motif I119A
4 Cultures & Traditions where I119A is told
19 Mythemes Indexed
2 Sub-Motifs of Motif I119A


Please log on to view the narratives.




 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

Creatures 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 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


I11.  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).

 Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of I11's motifs?



Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
M152D98.68%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.
M152E98.65%A tiger (lion) and another animal compete to see whose roar is louder. The tiger roars louder, but ultimately loses.
E9B98.62%Before meeting the hero, his beloved (wife, helper) has the image of an elephant (elephant tusk).
K27ZZ298.62%Several wives of one man (several sisters) go blind – the older ones in both eyes, and the younger one in one eye.
H34C98.46%Rice flew (came) from the field to the house.
I8H98.36%The earth is supported by a man and a woman in the underworld.
K33A398.36%A woman, turned into a turtle because of her rival's intrigues, tries to establish contact with her children or husband.
A2B98.01%In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A.
H36G198.00%When a bull (ox, cow) is ordered to convey certain instructions to people, he confuses them or deliberately distorts them.
A297.95%There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time.

 See more...

Please log on to view the narratives.



Map of Motif Dispersal

Click here for a clustered map

Drag the map around by clicking and using the mouse, use the wheel to zoom



This motif has been recorded in 4 traditions: Tonga, Karen, Pa-O, Padaung, Kayah, Chin-Naga: Ao, Mao, Sema, Zeme, Kolren, Kom, Lhota, Rengma, Angami, Kabui, Tangkhul, Koirenf, Kuki, Chiru, Falam (Hallam), Chin (Meitei =Manipuri, Khami, =Kumi), Lakher, Mizo (Lushei), Anal, Pawi (Lai), Purum, Koireng, Milhiem, Kolhen, Mru


Please log on to view the narratives.