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ATTENTION :) everything has been MOVED to the SECOND padlet, so please use that one if you're working on it (i found a way to have separate sections -allison) THANK YOUUU!

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ATTENTION :) everything has been MOVED to the SECOND padlet, so please use that one if you're working on it (i found a way to have separate sections -allison) THANK YOUUU!

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link to second padlet (in that padlet scroll down to see moon-prince)

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King commits polygamy, sleeping with ten wives, in order to raise chances of having a full-moon child. 

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King commits polygamy, sleeping with ten wives, in order to raise chances of having a full-moon child. 

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Cultural aspect: Throughout history, men often have the 'right' to commit polygamy, which allows them several, if not many wives. Polygamy was something women could not do, else face the consequences such as torture/death.

The king's actions demonstrate his power and authority; even though men are allowed many wives, ten is still a considerable amount. This shows that the king is rich as well as powerful. The significance of the king's polygamy is since this is essentially the root of the following events of the story – had the king been faithful, then his true heir would never have been nearly killed.

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King declares that only the prince born with a full moon on his chest will become heir. 

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King declares that only the prince born with a full moon on his chest will become heir. 

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Traditional aspect: The cultural significance of this tale, particularly the belief of a 'full-moon' prince becoming the heir, elucidate the power of superstitions, beliefs, and prophecies.

Historically, and even still now in many places, people sought out ‘signs’ from God(s), spirits, and ancestors’ guidance in making decisions, and more. The significance of following the superstition is conveyed after the king named no heir – as none had the moon disc.

Moreover, for Africa, a continent of diverse cultures, it was common for each tribe/village to have their own superstitions and beliefs regarding oracles/ancestors/gods. This was the reason the king punished his first wife because she gave ‘birth’ to a puppy – believing that this was due to some evildoing she had done. This elucidates the significant influence superstitions/beliefs had on one’s daily life. If something is against social norms and standards, the person (usually the groups that are discriminated against – women, those in poverty, and those of lower social class) would be be treated ‘accordingly’ – such as becoming a pariah, being punished, etc.

Connection to modern day: This belief, however, is still present in modern day, and prevalent in some countries. For traditional or religious communities, should women have a miscarriage or have a differently abled child, it would be seen mostly (usually solely) as the mother’s fault – for having bad karma, having done evil doings, and more. Thus, women are usually the victims should there be any issues with the baby – and this demonstrates the discrimination women face.

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Nine wives give birth to half-moon children whilst one births a full moon prince. 

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Nine wives give birth to half-moon children whilst one births a full moon prince. 

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The mother than gave birth to the full moon princess was Marengo.

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The King's first wife gives birth to the moon prince but passes out after giving birth

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The King's first wife gives birth to the moon prince but passes out after giving birth

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Due to the king's second wife's jealousy, she hides the moon prince and replaces him with a puppy, condemning the fate of Marengo.

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Due to the king's second wife's jealousy, she hides the moon prince and replaces him with a puppy, condemning the fate of Marengo.

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Theme: Jealousy (and gender inequality)

The theme of jealousy is portrayed clearly in this scene as the king's second wife goes to the lengths to ruin Marengo – and her child. This, however, is not a rarity in harems or situations where one had multiple wives in real life. Often times, women not only had to compete for attention, but also for their children's safety, power, and many more.

Thus, jealousy, a powerful emotion, corrupted the second wife's mind, and she went to the lengths to try and murder the full-moon prince.

Despite the second wife's action, it shows actually the unfair lives woman have to live – in order to not become a background object (and be actually cared about) they needed power/authority/recognition. The only way they could do that was give birth to a son – and in this case, a full-moon son. This depicts the gender inequality in marriages; not only do men have the right to have several wives, but women also have to fight for authority/love – and the only way to do this was to give birth to a son, which was the preferred in gender then (and in many places, still is), despite, this in truth, being entirely out of the woman's control.

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Leaving the king confused and worried of evil among the first wife he divorces her, forcing her to serve as a maid for the second wife

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Leaving the king confused and worried of evil among the first wife he divorces her, forcing her to serve as a maid for the second wife

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A kind merchant adopted the true moon prince whom survived with the help of the animals

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A kind merchant adopted the true moon prince whom survived with the help of the animals

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Theme: Generosity and kindness

The kind merchant and the animals of the forest had no reason to help the true moon prince, however decided to give the prince food and shelter. This shows how generous the animals were to give the moon prince the food that they caught themselves to allow him to survive. It also can be seen that the merchant was being generous taking care of the moon prince and adopting him from a baby. I would assume the kind merchant took really good care for the moon prince as the moon prince never decided to leave and find his true parents. Later on in the story the king and his advisor go to the kind merchants hut and the kind merchant being him allows them in without question, since the king and advisor have suspicions that the boy is the true moon prince. The story doesn't give in detail what happened but the king then takes the moon prince home which would mean that although the kind merchant took care of the moon prince from birth he still decided to let the boy go back to his family. This must've been difficult for the kind merchant as he worked hard to take care of the boy but all of a sudden needing to let the moon prince go back to his home.

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The King's second wife persuaded the king to name her child with a half moon the king's successor 

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The King's second wife persuaded the king to name her child with a half moon the king's successor 

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Suspicions from the kings advisor raised and he became aware of a possible moon prince in a town informing the king about him 

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Suspicions from the kings advisor raised and he became aware of a possible moon prince in a town informing the king about him 

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Realizing he found the moon prince, the king overjoyed, embracing his true heir, and took the moon prince home

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Realizing he found the moon prince, the king overjoyed, embracing his true heir, and took the moon prince home

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Exiling his jealous second wife and returning the first wife to her rightful place

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Exiling his jealous second wife and returning the first wife to her rightful place

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Theme: consequences (karma)

Like most endings to myth, this one ends happily. Readers see the antagonist being punished for their actions, and Marengo receiving her rightful place.

Because the second wife has lied and attempted murder, she had to face the consequence of exile – however, because Marengo was the one who birthed the baby and also endured through the hardship, she is now the queen.

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Myth 1: The Moon Prince (African mythology)

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Myth 1: The Moon Prince (African mythology)

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Themes (to be explored): reconciliation, superstition (beliefs), those who commit bad deed will face consequences eventually

Type of myth: hero's myth

Characters:

Cody Seffle Bang: The first king of the Basulto people of South Africa

The king’s first wife, Marengo

The king’s second wife (unnamed)

The moon prince, son of king and Marengo

Kind merchant who adopted the moon prince

The King’s advisor who was already suspicious of Marengo's supposed 'birth' of a dog.

Setting: South Africa (Basulto village)

Overall Plot:

Exposition (Introducing the first kind of the Basulto people)

Conflict (The king sleeping with 10 wives to birth a moon prince)

Rising Action (The moon prince being born by the 1st wife but not being able to see the child before passing out)

Climax (The second wife trying to kill and find the moon child to get rid of him, however the king finds him first and realizes that the moon child belonged to the first wife)

Falling action (The king exiled the jealous second wife and brought back the first wife to her deserved place in the village)

Resolution (The Moon prince would soon become the next king of basulto)