Even at this stage of the history of India the study of the contributions of the East Asian or 'Mongoloid' peoples has not been offered much importance to. It has remained a much neglected chapter of Indian history though the school of the subaltern dominates the realm of Indian historic discourse. But an exhaustive study in this field could bridge many gaps and could address many hitherto unanswered questions both linguistic and cultural. The impact of the Mongoloid culture on mainstream Indian culture is deeply rooted and indelible. And this impact has been assimilated into the course of living culture to such an extent that instances of such impact cannot be separated and easily looked upon.
Studies in this field will be helpful to a better understanding of these mongoloid people and their culture and at the same time these will come to use of understanding the Indian culture in a broader perspective.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Treatment of Geo-Cosmology in the Select Toto Myths
- The Totos and their Settlement
- The Totos and their Culture
- The Totos and their Myths
- The Birth of the Sun
- The Perpetual Life of the Stars
- The Creation of Rivers and Earthquakes
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper critically analyzes select Toto myths to give a brief outline of the Geo-cosmological views of this tribe to a wider readership. It aims to highlight the uniqueness of these views and explore the cultural life of the Toto people in relation to their geo-cosmological perspectives, along with identifying the socio-cultural factors that have shaped them.
- The Toto people’s understanding of geo-cosmology, as reflected in their myths and folktales.
- The cultural significance of the sun, moon, stars, rivers, and earthquakes in Toto mythology.
- The role of observation and imagination in Toto mythology, as a means of explaining natural phenomena.
- The potential of Toto oral literature for providing insights into their cultural identity and worldview.
- The influence of historical and socio-cultural factors on the development of Toto geo-cosmological beliefs.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The chapter begins by providing a brief overview of the Totos, their settlement, and their culture. It discusses their geographical location, history, and traditional practices.
- The chapter delves into the key themes and motifs found in Toto myths and folktales, focusing on their interpretations of the creation of the sun, the moon, and the stars.
- The chapter explores how Toto myths explain natural phenomena, such as rivers and earthquakes, highlighting the tribe’s inquisitive nature and their attempts to find meaning in their surroundings.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of the text include: Toto mythology, geo-cosmology, oral literature, cultural identity, creation myths, natural phenomena, socio-cultural factors, observation, imagination, and indigenous knowledge systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Toto people?
The Totos are a small tribal community in India, often categorized within the East Asian or 'Mongoloid' ethnic groups.
What is "Geo-Cosmology" in Toto myths?
It refers to the tribe's traditional views on the creation and structure of the earth, sun, moon, and stars as explained through their oral literature.
How do Toto myths explain natural phenomena?
Their myths use observation and imagination to provide reasons for events like earthquakes and the formation of rivers.
What is the significance of the sun and stars in their culture?
The myths describe the "birth" of the sun and the "perpetual life" of stars, reflecting their unique cultural identity and worldview.
Why is the study of Toto myths important?
It helps bridge gaps in Indian history regarding Mongoloid cultures and provides a broader perspective on mainstream Indian cultural heritage.
- Citation du texte
- B. D Mandal (Auteur), 2017, Treatment of Geo-Cosmology in Select Toto Myths, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/354177
