South American star myths have not been added to this list as full reference has been made to them in the text.
MYTHS TO ACCOUNT FOR CUSTOMS OR RITES (ætiological myths), such as the general belief that water is the mother of all things. This accounts for sacred fountains, lakes, and rivers, baptism, etc. A few examples only can be given.
Greeks. Myth of Dionysus and Pentheus, to explain festival of the former. See Euripides, The Bacchæ.
A-Kikuyus (Bantu tribe, E. Africa). To explain sacrifices to Ngai (rain-god).
Todas (Southern India). To explain why the sacred dairyman sacrifices calf to Notirzi.
Blackfeet Indians. To explain sun-dance.
Pawnee Indians. To explain skull-dance, buffalo-dance, bear-dance (dramatized myths).
Wiradthuri tribes (Australia). Dhuramoolun and the bull-roarer.
Almost universal. Belief in ghosts accounts for funeral rites to prevent ghosts' return.