Cadi Ayyad University
Polydisciplinary Faculty of Safi
Department of English Studies
Academic Year 2024/2025
Semester 3
Module: Readings in Global Cultures
Pr. Mohammed Saissi
Section IV
Types of Creation Stories: Emergence/ Earth Diver
1. Emergence.
Emergence myths posit a pre-existent world from which humanity emerges. This primordial
realm is frequently symbolized as the womb of the Earth Mother, and the process of emergence is
likened to a cosmic birth. Female deities, such as the Spider Woman, often assume the role of
midwife in these narratives. These myths, centered on feminine power and cyclical regeneration,
are frequently juxtaposed with male-oriented creation myths that involve creation ex nihilo
The sipapu, a small aperture in the kiva floor, represents the point of emergence from the
underworld in Pueblo cultures. Emergence myths often describe a staged ascent or
metamorphosis of beings from nascent forms through a series of subterranean worlds to their
current state. This process, frequently driven by internal forces, can be likened to germination or
gestation. The genre is most commonly found in Native American cultures, where the myths
often link the final emergence from the underworld to subsequent migrations and settlement in
the people's current homelands.
Emergence myths, common in many Indigenous cultures, often depict a
journey from a primordial realm to the current world. These myths
frequently involve a series of subterranean worlds, through which beings
ascend to their final form (Bruchac, 2000). The process of emergence is
often likened to a cosmic birth, with divine midwives guiding the way.1
2. Earth-diver.
Many traditional creation stories feature the earth-diver, a divine being who sends an animal to
retrieve earth or mud from the primordial waters. This act marks the beginning of the world.
Scholars interpret these myths in various ways, either as psychological symbols or as
cosmological explanations for the universe's origin. Regardless of the interpretation, these myths
emphasize the idea of creation emerging from the depths. Found in diverse cultures, from Native
American tribes to Siberian peoples, these stories likely originated in eastern Asia and spread
through migration.
Many Native American creation myths involve an earth-diver who awakens in a primordial
realm. This divine being initiates the process of creation by diving into the cosmic waters to
retrieve earth or mud, which is then used to build land. Often, these myths depict a series of
unsuccessful attempts before the earth-diver finally succeeds in creating a suitable world for
future generations.
The Earth-Diver myth invites us to contemplate the nature of creation and the role of the divine in
shaping our reality. It reminds us that even the most complex and diverse worlds can emerge
from the simplest of beginnings. As we delve into the depths of this myth, we uncover timeless
truths about the human experience and our connection to the natural world.
"The Earth-Diver myth is a widespread motif in creation myths
worldwide, symbolizing the emergence of order from chaos. In this myth,
a divine being or animal dives into the primordial waters to retrieve a
particle of earth, from which the world is created. This act represents the
transition from a formless, aquatic state to a solid, terrestrial one. It's a
1
Bruchac, J. (2000). The world on Turtle's Back. Philomel Books.
symbolic journey into the depths of the unconscious, a quest for the
foundations of existence."2
2
Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press.
