Mythology functions as primitive science, religion, and history for the tribe.

Evidence

The oldest, the most traditional, is of course mythology. The term mythology as used at the present day covers a number of different things—primitive science, to explain such natural phenomena as birth and death and the rotation of the seasons; primitive religion, to answer questions about man, God, time and eter­ nity; and—our present concern—primitive history, to confirm identity, encourage loyalty, and, through legitimacy, to justify authority. The primary and most basic focus of history and religion is thus the tribe and the tribal cult. — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1828

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines mythology as threefold: primitive science, primitive religion, and primitive history serving tribal identity.