Two Worlds Become One How does the Iroquois Creation story show similarities and differences from the Christian Creation story? In “The Iroquois Creation Story” by David Cusick, connections can be made with the Christian Creation story. He begins by discussing that there were two worlds that existed before the creation of the universe. The two worlds were known as the lower world and the upper world. The lower world consists of great darkness and monsters, while the upper world contains mankind and a woman who was to give birth to twins. Later the twins were born, but their mother died giving birth to them. They were given the names Enigorio meaning the good mind, and Enigonhahetgea meaning the bad mind. The two twins disagreed on everything
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In the Bible, the Christianity Creation story touches on how the entire ocean was covered in total darkness until God commanded, “Let there be light” (Bible Gateway NIV, Genesis 1:3). He then separates the light from the darkness and created Heaven and Earth. However, the Iroquois Creation Story began by stating, “Among the ancients there were two worlds in existence” (Cusisk 23). The upper world was full of light, while the lower was complete darkness. Although it is clear that each story begins with a separation of light and darkness, they were presented differently. In the Christian story, light was brought out of the darkness by God, and in the Iroquois story, they were already separated into two worlds. The difference between these two stories concerning light and darkness is whether light and darkness came before or after the universe was …show more content…
The Iroquois Creation story focuses on the two worlds in particular the lower world because this is where the woman gave birth to her twins: “The woman was in painful condition during the time of their disputes, and the infants entered the dark world by compulsion, and their parent expired in a few moments” (Cusick 23). The woman was said to have suffered from pain and died while giving birth, which compares to the Christianity creation story in how Eve experiences much pain while giving birth. For example the Bible states, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. (Genesis 3:16). A comparison between the women can be made because they both experienced travail pains, however, only the Iroquois creation story states the woman actually dies after having her children. Next, the twins in the Iroquois story were meant to symbolize the good minded and bad minded, and how Heaven and Hell came into the picture. This is another example that compares to the biblical story about Cain and Abel, though they were not twins. Abel is known as the good loving one, and Cain is more like the bad minded, evil one. Therefore, both creations stories follow similar details such as, having the good and bad children and the mothers who experienced birth
In the Bible, the Christianity Creation story touches on how the entire ocean was covered in total darkness until God commanded, “Let there be light” (Bible Gateway NIV, Genesis 1:3). He then separates the light from the darkness and created Heaven and Earth. However, the Iroquois Creation Story began by stating, “Among the ancients there were two worlds in existence” (Cusisk 23). The upper world was full of light, while the lower was complete darkness. Although it is clear that each story begins with a separation of light and darkness, they were presented differently. In the Christian story, light was brought out of the darkness by God, and in the Iroquois story, they were already separated into two worlds. The difference between these two stories concerning light and darkness is whether light and darkness came before or after the universe was …show more content…
The Iroquois Creation story focuses on the two worlds in particular the lower world because this is where the woman gave birth to her twins: “The woman was in painful condition during the time of their disputes, and the infants entered the dark world by compulsion, and their parent expired in a few moments” (Cusick 23). The woman was said to have suffered from pain and died while giving birth, which compares to the Christianity creation story in how Eve experiences much pain while giving birth. For example the Bible states, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. (Genesis 3:16). A comparison between the women can be made because they both experienced travail pains, however, only the Iroquois creation story states the woman actually dies after having her children. Next, the twins in the Iroquois story were meant to symbolize the good minded and bad minded, and how Heaven and Hell came into the picture. This is another example that compares to the biblical story about Cain and Abel, though they were not twins. Abel is known as the good loving one, and Cain is more like the bad minded, evil one. Therefore, both creations stories follow similar details such as, having the good and bad children and the mothers who experienced birth