Bror Westman: Mataco Myths
Taking a point of departure in Levi-Strauss’
concept of the myth as movement in
different ways, the article deals with Mataco
myths as they have been recorded by Niels
Fock during his field work among the
Mataco of Gran Chaco in the northern part of
Argentina between 1958 and 1962. The form
of this body of myths is seen as one of
variation and movement, and the contents
are understood as dealing with becoming a
human being, a cultural being. The figures
Sipilak, the culture hero, and Tokuah, the
bungler, play important roles in the myths.
They incamate different principles, rule over
different domains, create different
phenomena, and act in different ways. Also
the elements fire, water, air, and earth are
dealt with in the myths. The universe of the
myths is static, moving however between
different levels, and the identities of the
figures of the myths change. The myths are
variations of each other and tell about the
sensuous sides of life. The myths deal with
concrete, tangible experience.
 
