timeline similarities Blog #4

The origins of the United States, Australia and New Zealand are all extremely similar.  The three of us began with natives and we were all inhabited by the British.  In New Zealand’s case “James Cook first visited the Maori in 1769, [he] opened the door to European (chiefly British) settlement” (Culture Grams).  Then 19 years later “Great Britain [had] laid claim to Australia and established penal settlements beginning in 1788”(ABC CLIO).  Of course we know that our country started with 13 British colonies, and then along came war and our independence was born. There was also war between the natives of New Zealand and the British as well. All three countries began with British settlers which in my opinion, gives our three countries a connection through time.  A commonality of our origins is fascinating.  Another commonality between our histories are the gold rushes that occurred in each country.

 

Edward Hargraves found gold during the California gold rush and “returned to Australia… in 1851 determined to discover gold in New South Wales, and by February, he had paned a few grains from a creek near Bathurst. He advertised his find in newspapers throughout the country, and by May, the Australian gold rush was under way” (ABC CLIO).   This one person created a connection between our countries by starting the Australian gold rush after being at the one in our country. Then, a few years later, in New Zealand “The discovery of gold in 1860 brought a new tide of settlers” (ABC CLIO). Overall each of these three countries attracted Europeans with the offer of a new world to enter. People flooded to each country for colonies and gold. All of our countries connect in the sense that our beginnings were based on adventure into the unknown and the desire to discover new and exciting things. 

 

creation stories discussion questions blog #3

1.      1) I think that natives form creation stories because they were the earliest civilized people and they felt the need to have a reason to how they came to be.  They wanted something to believe in because they probably felt that they needed it. It gave them a sense of purpose. I think that this shows how humans need to have reason in their lives. I don’t exactly know why but I believe it’s a comfort thing. I would say that the myths still have a place today in the sense that women are still considered lesser than men.  In the stories that we read it was really apparent that women were thought of as lesser beings.

2.      2) From the aborigine story I get the sense that Australia is very environmentally conscious and they really value our planet. The way that the story glorifies the sun and the earth by talking about how much the creatures on earth love “mother sun” reveals that the people of Australia place great value in how the sun takes care of us and our planet. They show us how we should appreciate our world because it takes care of us.  From the Maori stories I got the feeling that they placed value in progression. The story begins by stating that “there was only darkness” and nothing else. As the story goes on earth and sky are separated and light is seen then the creation of a female comes about. The Maori keep wanting to move forward and have more. This reveals that New Zealand could be a very progressive nation.  Although seeing as I haven’t been to either Australia or New Zealand I wouldn’t know if this is true or not.

 

3.     3)  The biggest similarity between the two stories is the idea of creation.  Both stories revolve around it and I’m not just saying that because they’re creation stories. In both the world is progressing and the only way for that to happen is for things and life to be created.  For things to get better things had to be created. In both the creators had pride in what they created therefore creation is highly valued. Also the idea of a mother is placed in both worlds.  It seems like a caregiver is also important. The biggest difference is that in the aboriginal story the geography and animals were created first, whereas in the Maori story humans were created first. This shows a difference in values of the two cultures.

4.    4)   These stories reveal universal themes of sexism. In my opinion this theme is the most relevant. In the Maori stories woman was created second and used just to create more humans. How sexist is that? And in the aboriginal story the woman was bossed around by the man.  Sexism still exists today we may deny it but it is still there. Women are still thought as less than men.

5.  5)     Honestly I account for human life based on evolution. There are real facts from science all over the place and that’s what I believe because it is proven. But as to the creation of actual life on this planet I have no clue I guess there could be a higher power but who really knows. For the most part I believe in science.