Buran Origin of Death

The Origin of Death is a mythological story of the Buran people that serves as an explanation for death on Earth.

The Story

In the beginning, it is stated that neither death nor disease existed. One day, a single man became ill and died. The people saw this and decided to ask the sky what action they should take. The people then told a worm to go and ask the sky what they should do with this man. When the worm goes to the sky, the sky tells the worm to have the people hang the corpse in the fork of a tree and throw mush at it until it comes back to life.

While the worm is making his way back, a lizard named Agadzagadza hurries ahead of the worm. It is said that he purposely intended to deceive the people on earth. When he arrives at the village, he tells the people that the sky sent him instead. He then tells them that sky ordered they dig a grave, wrap the corpse in cloth, and bury it in the grave. The people follow his advice and the worm returns afterwards.

When the worm arrives, he immediately tells the people that they were wrong to accept the wisdom of Agadzagadza and that they should promptly unbury the corpse, place it in a tree, and throw mush at it. The people refuse to do this out of laziness and so it ends that death remains on Earth.

Aetiology

While it is true that the Buran people blame Agadzagadza for deceiving them and allowing death to remain, the story also indicates that mankind is at fault for listening to the lizard and being too lazy to listen to the true directions.

References

*Thury, Eva M. & Devinney, Margaret K. (2005). "Introduction to Mythology" . Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-517968-2