Definition and Understanding of Myth

According to P.E. de Josselin de Jong (1980: 109-110), the definition of myth is interpreted as a sacred story which in symbolic form narrates a series of real events and managers about the origin and changes of the universe and the world, gods, goddesses, supernatural powers, humans, heroes and society. As an expression of a typical cultural semantic system, sacred stories, basic nature, meaning, and human existential reality and the function of forms of social life.

Thus, myths justify various ways of present action in certain cultures, generate mutual trust and strengthen a sense of togetherness in groups.

Understanding and definition Myth based on its characteristics.

The anthropologist P. kloos 1980 summarized the characteristics of myths as follows:

1. Myth often has a holy nature
2. The elements and events that play a role and occur in myths are only found in the world of myths and not in the real world of daily life or the past. In other words, myth is not just a historical story.
3. Many myths refer to important events, such as the origin of things, reality and important changes.
4. The truth of myth is not important, because the horizon and era / age of myth are not bound by the possibilities and limits of this real world. (P.loos, quoted from P.E. de Josselin de Jong 1980)

In this case a myth can clarify that the myth is very influential for people's lives. There are people who believe in a myth, but there are also people who do not believe it. If the myth is proven true, then people who believe in it feel fortunate. But if the myth has not been proven true, then the community can be harmed.

Other definition and assumptions about myths

Myth is a folklore prose which is acted out the gods or demigods that occur in other worlds and are considered to really occur by the community.

Myths in general tell about the occurrence of the universe, the world, distinctive forms of animals, forms of topography, the adventures of the gods, their love stories, customs and so on. The myth itself, some originating from Indonesia and some originating from abroad.

Myths originating from abroad in general have undergone changes and further processing, so it does not feel familiar anymore due to the adaptation process due to changing times. Myth in Indonesia usually tells about the occurrence of the universe, the formation of the gods, the occurrence of the first humans, the world of the gods, and the occurrence of staple foods.

Conclusion about the understanding and definition of myth

So that the myth itself can be interpreted as a people's prose story that tells a story set in the past, contains an interpretation of the universe and the existence of beings in it, and is considered to have really happened by the owner of the story or its adherents. So many think that if people do not believe or do not carry out existing myths, they will get a problem or a curse.