Animistic Representation of Myth in Traditional Tharu Songs

Abstract

This research entitled Representation of Myth in Traditional Tharu Songs explores myths as the process of identity construction of indigenous Tharus in their traditional songs namely: Hurdungwa songs and Astimki songs in Kalram Tharu's Pothy. Myths represent tradition and culture of a specific community that forms their identity by differentiating them from other cultural groups. Indigenous Tharu people have their own type of myth. The study of the Tharu songs shows that myth is created and recreated according to cultural groups' belief system. So, the researcher applies the theoretical approach of myth with the ideas of theorists like Joseph Campbell, Northrop Frye, Mircea Eliade, James George Frazer, Cope Laurence, Robert A. Segal and Devdutt Pattanaik. Specific myths are enacted on specific rites and occasions to create a situation of primordial time. Myths unite people psychologically and physically that relates human beings with universe through society. It represents the understanding of world of a certain ethnic group. Particular ethnic group has distinct types of forlklores and myths that bind them within belief system, culture and tradition that form their identity. Keywords: Myth, Identity, Culture, Rituals, Primordial