Islands and Whales

In folktales from various cultures there are tales of sea animals so big, that they get mistaken for islands. In some stories, sailors land on them and spend time on “land” before realizing that they are actually on top of a living, breathing animal. These islands accordingly appear and disappear, rise and sink into the ocean frequently. In the Irish Legend of Saint Brendan, Brendan of Clonfert, a monch and fabled navigator, and his disciples land on a giant sea creature called Jasconius. “Because of its size, Brendan and his fellow voyagers mistake it for an island and land to make camp. They celebrate Easter on the sleeping giant’s back, but awaken it when they light their campfire. They race to their ship, and Brendan explains that the moving island is really Jasconius, who labors unsuccessfully to put his tail in its mouth.”

In mythology sea animals often trick humans into believing that they are on safe, solid ground. But equally often, they rescue people from floods and offer their bodies as rescue boats. See for example the tale about the fish Matsya here.

Who inherits the sunken cities?

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَـٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَن مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ

“And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were the inheritors.” (translation: Saheeh International)

From Quran 28:58

Asia; 7. Century AD; Islamic; Text

The oldest dessert in the world: Ashura / عَاشُورَاء

Ashura/عَاشُورَاء is a popular Arab and Turkish dessert. It is believed to be the dish that Nuh/نُوْحٌ (Noah) and his family ate on the day the Ark landed on Mount Arrarat after the flood. It’s ingredients – grains, nuts, and dried fruits – are supposed to have been the only food left on the ark after the long journey. This is a recipe from a website called Arab America.

The word Ashura/عَاشُورَاء means “tenth” and refers to the tenth day of the month. According to the Quran/القرآن God split the Red Sea on the tenth day to save Musa/موسی ابن عمران (Moses) and his people. For Shia Muslims the day is mostly remembered for the Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali.

Turkey / Armenia; 7. Century AD; Islamic; Food; Mountain: Ararat