
Earthquakes
A brief retelling of an ancient animal myth explaining earthquakes through a cosmic chain of elephants, a tortoise and a giant cobra.
Animals, the avatars of gods and goddesses, are responsible for holding up the world.
Earth stands upon the shoulders of four elephants. The four elephants stand upon the shoulder of a giant tortoise. The giant tortoise stands upon the shoulder of a giant cobra.
Earthquakes happen when these animals become tired, and it’s usually the cumbersome tortoise when trying to move its weight from one leg to another. The elephant shakes, which in turn shakes the Earth.
Back to Myth, History & Cultural Memory
More from the archive:
Watching the Chicken Run for Life
Related podcast: