Content Warning: Brief discussion of poverty, famine, orphans, and indentured servitude. Brief mention of slavery and colonization.
In this episode, I tell an archetypal myth from Haiti: "Mother of the Waters". The titular character is likely a Haitian mixture of uniquely Caribbean themes and the West African character of "Mami Wata". The story's narratology is consistent with over one hundred other myths from across the world, mostly from Africa, Europe, the Middle-East, and the indigenous peoples of the Americas. However, representative myths exist among Austroasiatic peoples, just at a less frequent rate. This particular version was originally recorded by Suzanne Comhaire-Sylvain, one of the first Haitian anthropologists. It is one of the few versions to contain deception by the Mother and disobedience displayed by the protagonist.
Based on the characterization of the protagonist, we'll discuss the class differences in perception of food, agency, and attitude. We'll also talk about the importance of compassion, selective breeding in agriculture, and the privileges retained by the ruling class.
Thank you for listening!
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