In the beginning, the universe consisted only of the sky, the water, and the wild marshlands. The God Obatala believed that the world needed more–he goes to Olorun, ruler of the sky and creator of the sun, asking for permission to create mountains, valleys, forests, and fields. Olorun grants Obatala permission to create solid land on Earth.
Obatala goes to Orunmila, the God of Prophecy. Orunmila tells Obatala that he will need a gold chain to reach from the sky to the waters below. Obatala goes to the goldsmith, who agrees to build the chain, if Obatala brings him the gold. Obatala goes to every god, asking for gold. When the chain in complete, Obatala descends onto Earth, carrying a snail shell filled with sand, a white hen, a black cat, and a palm nut. When Obatala climbs down, he realizes that the chain is not long enough. Orunmila calls out to Obatala, and tells him to dump the sand onto the Earth and drop the hen. The hen scratches at the sand, spreading it all around and forming the first solid land on Earth.
Obatala lets go of the chain and falls to earth, naming the place where he landed “Ife.” He plants the palm nut, which immediately sprouts into a palm tree. Obatala keeps the cat for company. Although Obatala keeps the cat, he still becomes lonely. He begins to make clay figures in the likeness of himself. Obatala grows tired while assembling the clay figures, and decides that he needs something to drink (wine). He makes wine from the juice of the palm tree, and he becomes drunk. He continues to make clay figures in his drunken state, and the figures then become deformed. Olorun breathes life into Obatala’s figures, and they become living human beings. Obatala realizes that his drunkenness has resulted in deformity, and he feels so bat that he vows to be the protector of all who are born deformed. The humans created by Obatala then came together to form the first Yoruba Village in Ife. Obatala decided to return to the sky–thereafter, he splits his time between Ife and his home in the sky.
Obatala’s kingdom of Ife was created without Olokun’s permission. As such, Olokun becomes very angry. She sends a great flood to destroy Obatala’s kingdom. The flood destroys most of Obatala’s kingdom. The remaining people send Eshu, the messenger god, to Olorun and Obatala, asking for help. Orunmila goes to Earth, causing the waters to retreat.
Olokun challenges Olorun to a weaving contest. Knowing that he was no composition for Olokun, Olorun devises a plan to accept the challenge, without actually participating. He sends a chameleon to judge Olokun's skill; every time Olokun weaves a new cloth, the chameleon would then mimic the fabric. Olokun finally accepts her defeat.
Obatala goes to Orunmila, the God of Prophecy. Orunmila tells Obatala that he will need a gold chain to reach from the sky to the waters below. Obatala goes to the goldsmith, who agrees to build the chain, if Obatala brings him the gold. Obatala goes to every god, asking for gold. When the chain in complete, Obatala descends onto Earth, carrying a snail shell filled with sand, a white hen, a black cat, and a palm nut. When Obatala climbs down, he realizes that the chain is not long enough. Orunmila calls out to Obatala, and tells him to dump the sand onto the Earth and drop the hen. The hen scratches at the sand, spreading it all around and forming the first solid land on Earth.
Obatala lets go of the chain and falls to earth, naming the place where he landed “Ife.” He plants the palm nut, which immediately sprouts into a palm tree. Obatala keeps the cat for company. Although Obatala keeps the cat, he still becomes lonely. He begins to make clay figures in the likeness of himself. Obatala grows tired while assembling the clay figures, and decides that he needs something to drink (wine). He makes wine from the juice of the palm tree, and he becomes drunk. He continues to make clay figures in his drunken state, and the figures then become deformed. Olorun breathes life into Obatala’s figures, and they become living human beings. Obatala realizes that his drunkenness has resulted in deformity, and he feels so bat that he vows to be the protector of all who are born deformed. The humans created by Obatala then came together to form the first Yoruba Village in Ife. Obatala decided to return to the sky–thereafter, he splits his time between Ife and his home in the sky.
Obatala’s kingdom of Ife was created without Olokun’s permission. As such, Olokun becomes very angry. She sends a great flood to destroy Obatala’s kingdom. The flood destroys most of Obatala’s kingdom. The remaining people send Eshu, the messenger god, to Olorun and Obatala, asking for help. Orunmila goes to Earth, causing the waters to retreat.
Olokun challenges Olorun to a weaving contest. Knowing that he was no composition for Olokun, Olorun devises a plan to accept the challenge, without actually participating. He sends a chameleon to judge Olokun's skill; every time Olokun weaves a new cloth, the chameleon would then mimic the fabric. Olokun finally accepts her defeat.