Stories and Folklore surrounding Friction Fire
As part of this project, I'm collecting and exploring stories, myths and legends surrounding the origins of fire. There are many out there, and many variations of similar stories within the same cultures and different cultures. Common themes also run through many of the stories, such as fire being hidden in trees and it can only be released through friction.
I plan to collect as many stories as possible over time, and welcome people to share any stories they may know of .
You can find some of the stories linked below and also under the Sacred Fire>Stories and Myths menu.
I have deep respect and honour for the land and peoples from where these stories originate. I support Survival International, who fight for tribal peoples' survival - working in partnership with tribal peoples to protect their lives and land.
I plan to collect as many stories as possible over time, and welcome people to share any stories they may know of .
You can find some of the stories linked below and also under the Sacred Fire>Stories and Myths menu.
I have deep respect and honour for the land and peoples from where these stories originate. I support Survival International, who fight for tribal peoples' survival - working in partnership with tribal peoples to protect their lives and land.
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In this video I tell the story of How Rabbit Stole Fire - a story from the land now called America. There are many versions and this one is based on stories told by the Koasati, Hitchiti and Creek peoples.
I have also written by own adaption by Ian of “How Rabbit Stole Fire” for the UK / Europe. Stories have been passed along throughout time with each storyteller telling it in their own way! Feel free to adapt my version as you wish! |
Russian
Slavic Living Fire myth
Evenki Fire Myth
Fire SVAROŽICH (see also here more russian myths here
Australian:
Crocodile took the fire stick
How the Wongaibon obtained fire
How the Kamilaroi acquired fire
Water rat and fire
... and many more - see here
India - Hindu : Rig Veda (3:9.5), the hero Mātariśvan recovered fire through friction
Judaism - In the Book of Enoch, the fallen angels and Azazel teach early humanity to use tools and fire. (apparently but I've not yet found this and who knows whether it refers to any particular way)
Chinese - Sui Drilling Wood to make fire
Norse - Loki stealing fire
Greek - Prometheus stole fire and hid it in a fennel stalk
There is an interesting essay here comparing the Greek myth of Prometheus and Norse myth of Loki
Africa - The San of South Africa believe that Ostrich guarded fire under his wing until a praying mantis stole it.
and many more
Bumba showed the people how to make the firedrill
South America
Indians of the Amazon River basin in - Aboy stole a hot coal from the Jaguar's fire
Aztec
Pacific
Legends in the Caroline Islands of the Pacific link fire to Olofat, a mythical trickster hero
Maori\Polynesian - How Maui brought fire to the world, there are a few different versions of this story
Maui Fire Version 1
Maui Fire Version 2
Native American
How Coyote Stole Fire
Cherokee - Grandmother Spider
According to some Yukon First Nations people, Crow stole fire from a volcano in the middle of the water.
According to the Creek Indians, Rabbit stole fire from the Weasels.
According to the Navajo creation story Black God introduced the hand drill to human kind
In Algonquin myth, Rabbit stole fire from an old man and his two daughters.
In Ojibwa myth, Nanabozho the hare stole fire and gave it to humans.
How Rabbit Stole the Fire from the Sky People as told by the Creek, the Hitchin and the Kosati native Americans
and many more
Slavic Living Fire myth
Evenki Fire Myth
Fire SVAROŽICH (see also here more russian myths here
Australian:
Crocodile took the fire stick
How the Wongaibon obtained fire
How the Kamilaroi acquired fire
Water rat and fire
... and many more - see here
India - Hindu : Rig Veda (3:9.5), the hero Mātariśvan recovered fire through friction
Judaism - In the Book of Enoch, the fallen angels and Azazel teach early humanity to use tools and fire. (apparently but I've not yet found this and who knows whether it refers to any particular way)
Chinese - Sui Drilling Wood to make fire
Norse - Loki stealing fire
Greek - Prometheus stole fire and hid it in a fennel stalk
There is an interesting essay here comparing the Greek myth of Prometheus and Norse myth of Loki
Africa - The San of South Africa believe that Ostrich guarded fire under his wing until a praying mantis stole it.
and many more
Bumba showed the people how to make the firedrill
South America
Indians of the Amazon River basin in - Aboy stole a hot coal from the Jaguar's fire
Aztec
Pacific
Legends in the Caroline Islands of the Pacific link fire to Olofat, a mythical trickster hero
Maori\Polynesian - How Maui brought fire to the world, there are a few different versions of this story
Maui Fire Version 1
Maui Fire Version 2
Native American
How Coyote Stole Fire
Cherokee - Grandmother Spider
According to some Yukon First Nations people, Crow stole fire from a volcano in the middle of the water.
According to the Creek Indians, Rabbit stole fire from the Weasels.
According to the Navajo creation story Black God introduced the hand drill to human kind
In Algonquin myth, Rabbit stole fire from an old man and his two daughters.
In Ojibwa myth, Nanabozho the hare stole fire and gave it to humans.
How Rabbit Stole the Fire from the Sky People as told by the Creek, the Hitchin and the Kosati native Americans
and many more
This is a beautifully written and illustrated Chilldren's book about the Native American story How Rabbit Stole the Fire from the Sky People as told by the Creek, the Hitchin and the Kosati native Americans.
The Myths of the Origins of Fire by James Frazer contains many stories from around the world including Tanzania,
New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Madagascar, South America, Central & North America, Pacific/Polynesia, Australia.
It does take a little time to get used to the style of writing and you need to get past the early 20th century view of indigenous peoples but it is a good place to start for a reference of stories.
New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Madagascar, South America, Central & North America, Pacific/Polynesia, Australia.
It does take a little time to get used to the style of writing and you need to get past the early 20th century view of indigenous peoples but it is a good place to start for a reference of stories.