Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
M3 — Human chain
Source data for narratives and traditions is drawn from Berezkin’s Analytical Catalogue. If you use this data, please acknowledge and link to it: Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.
Summary of motif
OverviewThe character crosses a water or air barrier on the backs of chained animals, birds, or fish.
Berezkin category: Adventures: Tricks and episodes
This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part of group 10, Adventures.
M3 has 2 other sub-motifs
RelatedM3. The character crosses a water or air barrier on the backs of chained animals, birds, or fish.
M3a. The character invites aquatic creatures to count them, and to do this, form a chain; crosses it to the other side or climbs to land. See M3 motif.
M3b. Trying to grab a hare, another animal tears off (bites) its tail. It's been short ever since.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| E5B | 97.35% | The first human (a group of brothers) or the first human couple emerge from underground (from a cave) or from a small object on the surface (a mound, a reed, a tree, a stone, a pumpkin). Cf. motif E5A: people from the underworld. |
| E32 | 96.27% | The first humans or the first woman (progenitor, goddess) are born from trees, emerge from a tree, stump, flower, or reed. |
| M3A | 95.44% | The character invites aquatic creatures to count them, and to do this, form a chain; crosses it to the other side or climbs to land. See M3 motif. |
| F86A | 94.20% | The character cares for a fish, crab or other creature. Others watch the character, kill and eat his pet, or try to do so. |
| G24A | 92.25% | The character steals cultivated plants for people, hiding the seeds on/in his own body. |
| C8C | 91.60% | After a global catastrophe, at the beginning of time or when settling a new land, a woman and her son give birth to humans. |
| M29O | 90.53% | See the motives in square brackets. |
| L85B | 89.97% | A pregnant woman curses the Sun, Rain or another powerful character. Because of this, the child is born physically disabled. He possesses magical powers and usually acquires a normal body. |
| I81A | 89.81% | The giant crab causes earthquakes or floods, closes or can close the water outlet. |
| B1D | 89.81% | Two characters are building the world, one works poorly, the other well, so different parts of the universe (or a specific island) have different appearances. |
See the 100 most similar distributions →
Map of motif dispersal
DistributionDrag the map to pan, use the scroll wheel to zoom — choose a texture or projection below
Cite this map
Distribution of the traditions attesting motif M3, ‘Human chain’, as recorded in the Berezkin–Duvakin Analytical Catalogue of Folklore Motifs (38 traditions mapped). Geolocation and cartography by Jonathan Fielder-White, Folklore Database, release 1.26206.1 (25 July 2026), https://www.folkloredatabase.com/motif/M3 (accessed 8 August 2026). Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Traditions
38 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 38 traditions: Ganda, (Ba)Nyoro, Nyankole, Masaba (Gisu), Luia (=Luyia, Haya, Luhya, Bantu Kawirondo; incl. Vugusu, Maragoli), Lingala, (Ba)Ngala, Ntomba, Kioque, (Ki)Bangi, Bolia, Balolo, Boloki, (Ba)Akwa, (U)Poto, Zulu, Swazi, Dan (=Gio), Guro (=Kweni, incl Gagu, Neio), Toura, Mano, Ngere, Beng, Guro , Sangir Islands, Toraja (Toradja), To Mori, Baree (=Eastern Toraja), Numfoor, Warope, Wamesa (Wandamen, Windesi), Minahasa (incl. Tondano, Tentemboan), Bantik, Batak (Toba, Dairi), Aceh (Acheh), Malay; Temuan (incl Mantra or Mentra), Jakun (Moken), Lampung (Lampong); South Sumatra Malays (incl. Bengkulu), Mentawai, Dusun, Murut, Kelabit, Tombonuwo, Bajau, Tidong, Northern Luzon: Apayao, Bontoc, Nabaloi (Ibaloi), Ifugao, Igorot (highland people, not specified), Ilocan, Ilongot, Isneg, Kalinga, Kankanay, Tingian (Tinggian, Bilongan Itneg); Ibanag, Kasiguran Agta, Keley-i Kallahan, Sora (Savara, Saora), Parenga, Kachin (Singpho), Chak, Early Chinese written sources, Mongols (Khalkha), Tungus (Evenki): Baikal region, Evenks, Tungus (Evenki) of China (Solon, Birar, Oroqen, Manegir), Evenks, Tungus (Evenki): Russian Far East, Evenks, Udeghe, Oroch, Nanai, Negidal, Nivkh, Chukchi, Iowa, Pame, Jonaz (Chichimeca-Jonaz), Mazahua, Otomi, Huastec (Teenek), Gulf Nahuatl, Lacandon, Waiwai, Barasana, Taibano, Macuna, Yamana (Yaghan), Alacaluf, Sundanese, China
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How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com
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