The Mythology and Folklore Database
B62 - Man and vulture.




36 Myths, Legends and Folktales
33 Unique Narratives for Motif B62
14 Cultures & Traditions where B62 is told
83 Mythemes Indexed
0 Sub-Motifs of Motif B62


Please log on to view the narratives.




 Motif Summary  -   Motifs with Simlar Dispersals  -    Map of Myth Distribution   -   List of Traditions  -   Myths



Source Data from Berezkin's Analytics Catalogue, if using this data please acknowledge and link to it here:
Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.



Summary of Motif

Man believes that vultures live better than humans, changes his appearance to that of a vulture. The former vulture lives with the man's wife, and the man usually does not like his new life.

Berezkin category: The Origins of the Characteristics of the environment

This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part group 10, Adventures



Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
A22A99.59%Two characters burn; one turns into the present sun, and the other into a less significant celestial object. See motif A22.
I27B99.54%A dog carries a person across a river to another world. See motif I27.
L2699.22%During the (first) initiation, supernatural beings teach boys rituals and kill them for violating rules related to the consumption and distribution of food.
M12199.22%A louse or other similar creature (flea, tick, firefly) is sent to follow a certain character.
B6799.15%A fallen tree and/or its stump turns into a mountain (mountain range) or rocks. (Usually, the branches of this tree bear the fruits and shoots of various cultivated plants, see motif G5).
A13B98.75%During an eclipse or at the first appearance of night, ants eclipse the sun.
A998.75%The moon-woman does not allow her son or husband, the Sun, to destroy people.
L3A98.75%Left alone, a woman carelessly calls for someone to help her with the housework; a demon comes and kills the woman or her child.
A22B98.57%The sun and its companion burn up. The companion burns in a less intense fire (is thrown into the ashes, etc.); therefore, the moon (or star) is cold. See motif A22.
K30A98.43%The wife of the first ancestor flies away with the vultures (usually voluntarily, after she has already cheated on her husband), and the chief (Uito: her brother) brings her back. See motif K30.

 See more...

Please log on to view the narratives.



Map of Motif Dispersal

Click here for a clustered map

Drag the map around by clicking and using the mouse, use the wheel to zoom



This motif has been recorded in 14 traditions: Trans-New Guinea and unclassified Papuan groups of Irian Jaya: Mejprat, Arandai-Bintuni, Inanwatan-Berau, Papua of Gelvink (Cenderawasih) Bay, Kamoró, Marind Anim, Sawi, Mafore; Korowai; Kwerba; Momina, Eipo, Yale, Awyu, Cherokee, Mayo, Yaqui, Sinaloa, Western Mexico Nahuatl, Mam, Ixil, Aguatec, Avakatec, Quiche, Achí, Cakchiquel, Pocomchi, Pocomam, Tzutujil, Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Chorti, Yucatec, Itza, Kekchi; Mopan, Kayabi, Caraja


Please log on to view the narratives.