Ocean Myths, Legends and Tales

Show notes

No matter where you go, there will always be a tale about the ocean; whether it is to warn you about danger, to share the story of the community or to teach a lesson, ocean storytelling has always been present in the heart of our coastal societies. On this episode of GenSea, Joelle, Charlotte, Lennard and Gilbers sit around to share different stories coming from very different parts of the world like Greece, Japan, Scotland and the pacific ocean to illustrate that everywhere on the world, there will always be an ocean story to be told, you just to ask about it.

First, Charlotte will talk to us about Greek myths and how they influenced Mediterranean cultures and what is known as western society. Who hasn’t heard of Poseidon and the oceanids ? Then, Joelle takes us to the other side of the world to share with us how Japanese folklore found an explanation to the catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis they sustained thanks to an enormous fish that doesn’t come often to the surface. Afterwards, Lennard tells us about how Polinesian people explained the phenomenon of a vanished island on the pacific ocean. Atlantis, is that you ?. Lastly, Gilbers takes us to Scotland and Ireland, where the tale of the selkie people came to be. If you see a seal, be aware, because you might fall in love with its human version. As the episode is wrapped up, the importance of storytelling is brought to the table as well the importance of keeping myths, legends and tales alive as they define a society, specially a coastal one.

This episode is a handover episode to let the floor to your new host for the next months, Lennard and Charlotte, two great scientists with a lot of great new topics to bring to the table. Joelle and Gilbers will come back later in the year and thank every single listener they have had over the last few months as well as all their invites. Keep connected for more!