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Sun-Earth Day 2009: Total Solar Eclipse, China

Sun-Earth Day 2009: Total Solar Eclipse, China

The Path of TOTALITY: A Storytelling Activity

Storytelling is an art form that has been passed down from generation to generation and has existed for as long as humanity has had language. They were meant to teach, explain and entertain and were often used to explain natural phenomena too difficult to explain from basic observation.

During this activity you will listen to professional storyteller, Jordan Hill, as he shares five incredible 'eclipse' stories with you that originated from Mongolia, Turkey, Africa and Egypt. Pay special attention to how Jordan is able to enhance the storytelling experience through his use of 'voice tone' and 'gesture'.

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Directions:
In each story, identify the plot, characters and narrative point of view. We have provided guiding questions below to help you get started. Teachers, you may wish to have your students develop their own stories based on subjects you have taught in the classroom.

Story One

Arakho
  1. What was Arakho’s problem?
  2. Identify the key plot points in the story.
  3. Describe each character and the humanness of each.
  4. What was the terrestrial phenomenon described in the story?
Arakho: told by Jordan Hill
Arakho
Combining different Mongolian solar eclipse legends into one, this is an exciting tale of the monster responsible for eating the sun or moon and his dangerous dealings with humans and the gods.

Story Two

The Battle of the Eclipse
  1. What was Madia’s problem?
  2. Identify the key plot points in the story.
  3. Describe the main characters. Emphasize the importance of each in the development of the plot.
  4. What was the terrestrial phenomenon described in the story? What importance did it have to the plot?
  5. How did Madia’s feelings about war change during the story? How did his feelings about his home change?
Battle of the Eclipse: told by Jordan Hill
The Battle of the Eclipse
Probably in the year 585 BCE, a battle took place between the Lydian and Mede empires on the banks of the Halys River, which flows through modern day Turkey. In the midst of the battle, a shocking event took place—the sun went dark up in the sky and day turned to night! This account describes the feelings and experiences of a young Mede soldier, named Madya, who bore witness to this stunning occurrence and its historic aftermath.

Story Three

Mawu and Lisa
  1. What was Mawu’s problem?
  2. Identify the key plot points in the story.
  3. Describe the main characters. Emphasize the importance of each in the development of the plot.
  4. What was the terrestrial phenomenon described in the story? What importance did it have to the plot?
  5. Do you think people today make up stories to explain what they observe about the world around us? (The reason for Day and Night? Why we have tides? Why the cricket sings? Why the grasshopper hops?) Explain your answer.
Mawu and Lisa: told by Jordan Hill
Mawu and Lisa
This story is a creation myth of the Fon, a people that dwell in the West African nations of Benin and Togo. In it Mawu and Lisa create the world with the aid of the great rainbow serpent, Aido-Hwedo. The Fon hold the belief that eclipses are moments when the love between the moon (Mawu) and the sun (Lisa) can be seen. The myth told here speaks of how this came to be.

Story Four

Kuiyecoke and Puka Puka
  1. What was the main problem in this story?
  2. Identify the key plot points.
  3. Describe the main characters. Emphasize the importance of each in the development of the plot.
  4. What information found in this story concerning terrestrial objects is based on fact?
Kuiyecoke and Puka Puka: told by Jordan Hill
Kuiyecoke and Puka Puka
According to the Batammaliba people of Benin, West Africa, Kuiyecoke and Puka Puka were the first women in the world. They are a part of our very beginnings, and in this myth we hear their story. It is the wisdom of these first mothers that helps their people make peace in response to the fighting of the sun and moon during an eclipse.

Story Five

Horus and Seth
  1. What was the main problem in this story?
  2. Identify the key plot points in the story.
  3. Describe the main characters. Emphasize the importance of each in the development of the plot.
  4. What moral lessons in life are emphasized in the story?
  5. From the story, what did you learn about the terrain in the area of the River Nile?
  6. What information found in this story concerning terrestrial objects is based on fact?
Horus and Seth: told by Jordan Hill
Horus and Seth
Hear of the legendary battle between two of the most powerful Egyptian gods vying to be the next Pharaoh. This story of betrayal and redemption, violence and justice, has often been interpreted as a mythical take on solar eclipses. In it we can hear allusions to both the appearance of the sun's corona (a great winged disc) and effects viewable only during full solar eclipses (e.g. the diamond ring effect).