Human race attaches so much importance to the light of the sun that cutting the sunlight for a minute or two as it happens during an eclipse has has been given rise to myths, superstitions and religious interpretations. Different cultures around the world have believed in almost anything from demons to dragons swallowing the sun in anger to associating it with all sorts of calamities, war and epidemics.

Indian Myth
Rahu a notorious demon during the war between the gods and demons, managed to get in between the sun and the moon to steal a portion of nectar. This cut the light off the sun for a while.

Chinese Myth
A dragon swallows the sun. It needs to be frightened away by beating of drums.

African Myth
A snake emerged from the ocean and grew so large that it moved to the sky and swallowed the sun. The snake can be scared by beating of drums.