Mesopotamia Religion Activity
Tell Me a Story
Make Up Your Own Creation Story
Remember that the Mesopotamians were polytheistic. That means that they believed in many, many gods. Each city-state chose a patron god, the “most important” god that watched over their city-state. However, there were dozens of others. Just like humans, Mesopotamian gods sometimes worked together and sometimes battled one another. The existence and activity of the gods explained the existence of all things - good things, bad things, all things.
A creation story explains how something comes to be. Creation stories explain the existence of really big things like the earth and the heavens, but they also explain somewhat smaller things like why a skunk has a white stripe down its back.
In the best Mesopotamian tradition, follow the directions below to write a Creation Story of your own.
First, open a Google doc and title it Mesopotamian Creation Story. Be sure to save it in your personal History folder.
Then, choose a natural phenomena that needs explaining. If you can’t think of one, consider explaining one of the following natural phenomena:
• Why pine trees have needles and not leaves
• Why pure water is see-through (transparent)
• Why elephants have really long noses (trunks)
• Why when you hold a shell up to your ear you can hear the sea
Remember that the Mesopotamians were polytheistic. That means that they believed in many, many gods. Each city-state chose a patron god, the “most important” god that watched over their city-state. However, there were dozens of others. Just like humans, Mesopotamian gods sometimes worked together and sometimes battled one another. The existence and activity of the gods explained the existence of all things - good things, bad things, all things.
A creation story explains how something comes to be. Creation stories explain the existence of really big things like the earth and the heavens, but they also explain somewhat smaller things like why a skunk has a white stripe down its back.
In the best Mesopotamian tradition, follow the directions below to write a Creation Story of your own.
First, open a Google doc and title it Mesopotamian Creation Story. Be sure to save it in your personal History folder.
Then, choose a natural phenomena that needs explaining. If you can’t think of one, consider explaining one of the following natural phenomena:
• Why pine trees have needles and not leaves
• Why pure water is see-through (transparent)
• Why elephants have really long noses (trunks)
• Why when you hold a shell up to your ear you can hear the sea
Creation stories are popular in all cultures and I know that many of you are familiar with a few. Remember, however, that this should be your story and, therefore, your explanation, not a traditional or common creation story you have heard before. Challenge yourself.
Next, select:
1. A hero, god, or goddess
2. A problem, and
3. (optional) A friend for your god
Your creation story should answer the question(s) how or why something came to exist.
Here's the challenge, the thing that is created - the thing that you are explaining - should solve the problem you identified in step 2 listed above.
Next, select:
1. A hero, god, or goddess
2. A problem, and
3. (optional) A friend for your god
Your creation story should answer the question(s) how or why something came to exist.
Here's the challenge, the thing that is created - the thing that you are explaining - should solve the problem you identified in step 2 listed above.
Example:
Natural Phenomena = Bees buzz.
Problem = Bees sting humans
Solution = Bees buzz as a natural alarm for humans.
Creation Story Challenge: explain how bees acquired their buzz.
If you'd like, you may give your god or goddess one or two supernatural abilities that will help that god or goddess do their job well, like being able to see in the dark or never sleeping. Don’t, however, make your god or goddess all-powerful.
Finally, practice good habits and edit your story, correcting for spelling, grammar, and punctuation before posting your story to your personal blog.
Natural Phenomena = Bees buzz.
Problem = Bees sting humans
Solution = Bees buzz as a natural alarm for humans.
Creation Story Challenge: explain how bees acquired their buzz.
If you'd like, you may give your god or goddess one or two supernatural abilities that will help that god or goddess do their job well, like being able to see in the dark or never sleeping. Don’t, however, make your god or goddess all-powerful.
Finally, practice good habits and edit your story, correcting for spelling, grammar, and punctuation before posting your story to your personal blog.