Comparable myths Tower of Babel

1 comparable myths

1.1 sumerian , assyrian parallel
1.2 mexico
1.3 arizona
1.4 nepal
1.5 africa
1.6 other traditions

comparable myths

sumerian , assyrian parallel

there sumerian myth similar of tower of babel, called enmerkar , lord of aratta, enmerkar of uruk building massive ziggurat in eridu , demands tribute of precious materials aratta construction, @ 1 point reciting incantation imploring god enki restore (or in kramer s translation, disrupt) linguistic unity of inhabited regions — named shubur, hamazi, sumer, uri-ki (akkad), , martu land, whole universe, well-guarded people — may address enlil in single language.

in addition, further assyrian myth, dating 8th century bc during neo-assyrian empire (911-605 bc) bears number of similarities later written biblical story.

mexico

various traditions similar of tower of babel found in central america. writers connected great pyramid of cholula tower of babel. dominican friar diego durán (1537–1588) reported hearing account pyramid hundred-year-old priest @ cholula, shortly after conquest of mexico. wrote told when light of sun first appeared upon land, giants appeared , set off in search of sun. not finding it, built tower reach sky. angered lord of heavens called upon inhabitants of sky, destroyed tower , scattered inhabitants. story not related either flood or confusion of languages, although frazer connects construction , scattering of giants tower of babel.

another story, attributed native historian fernando de alva cortés ixtlilxóchitl (c. 1565–1648) ancient toltecs, states after men had multiplied following great deluge, erected tall zacuali or tower, preserve in event of second deluge. however, languages confounded , went separate parts of earth.

arizona

still story, attributed tohono o odham people, holds montezuma escaped great flood, became wicked , attempted build house reaching heaven, great spirit destroyed thunderbolts. (bancroft, vol. 3, p. 76; in history of arizona .)

nepal

traces of similar story have been reported among tharu of nepal , northern india (report of census of bengal, 1872, p. 160).

africa

according david livingstone, africans whom met living near lake ngami in 1849 had such tradition, builders heads getting cracked fall of scaffolding (missionary travels, chap. 26).

other traditions

in 1918 book, folklore in old testament, scottish social anthropologist sir james george frazer documented similarities between old testament stories, such flood, , indigenous legends around world. identified livingston s account tale found in lozi mythology, wherein wicked men build tower of masts pursue creator-god, nyambe, has fled heaven on spider-web, men perish when masts collapse. further relates similar tales of ashanti substitute pile of porridge pestles masts. frazer cites such legends found among kongo people, in tanzania, men stack poles or trees in failed attempt reach moon. further cited karbi , kuki people of assam having similar story. traditions of karen people of myanmar, frazer considered show clear abrahamic influence, relate ancestors migrated there following abandonment of great pagoda in land of karenni 30 generations adam, when languages confused , karen separated karenni. notes yet version current in admiralty islands, mankind s languages confused following failed attempt build houses reaching heaven.