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In this West African myth, Mawus’ two sons, Sagbata and Sogbo, were supposed to rule together, but could not, because of their clashing personalities. Their constant fights were such a problem that Sagbata opted to leave his home in the sky and live on earth, but only if he could take his mother’s wealth. Sagbata was guaranteed their mother’s inheritance, as he was the eldest son. Mawu disagreed, and stated that Sagbata and Sogbo must rule as a whole, fit together like a closed gourd, called a calabash. Sagbata was to rule the Earth, known as Lower Calabash, and Sogbo was to rule the sky, known as the upper calabash.
As Sogbo lived in the sky with his mother and the other gods, he began to earn their trust, and the power went to his head. To mock his brother's foolish decisions, Sogbo stopped all rain on earth, causing a 3-year drought. Sagbata was unsure what to do, when all of the sudden, two sky-beings came down with the seeds of prophecy. The seeds were able help people answer important questions by studying the way they fell, when tossed. The seeds suggested that Sagbata summon Sogbo's bird messenger, Wututu.
Sagbata offered to let his younger brother be ruler of both worlds in order to save the people and land from the drought. Sogbo accepted the offer, only after teaching his older brother of his ignorance. Suddenly, thunder and lightning ripped through the sky and it rained and rained. The offer was accepted. For his duties, Wututu became a sacred bird. The brothers remain friends, and it rains every year allowing the lands and the people to be fertile!
My personal opinion on the myth is how that crave for power is so dangerous, it can destroy families and cause so much tension and harm not just to you, but it affects everyone around you.
As Sogbo lived in the sky with his mother and the other gods, he began to earn their trust, and the power went to his head. To mock his brother's foolish decisions, Sogbo stopped all rain on earth, causing a 3-year drought. Sagbata was unsure what to do, when all of the sudden, two sky-beings came down with the seeds of prophecy. The seeds were able help people answer important questions by studying the way they fell, when tossed. The seeds suggested that Sagbata summon Sogbo's bird messenger, Wututu.
Sagbata offered to let his younger brother be ruler of both worlds in order to save the people and land from the drought. Sogbo accepted the offer, only after teaching his older brother of his ignorance. Suddenly, thunder and lightning ripped through the sky and it rained and rained. The offer was accepted. For his duties, Wututu became a sacred bird. The brothers remain friends, and it rains every year allowing the lands and the people to be fertile!
My personal opinion on the myth is how that crave for power is so dangerous, it can destroy families and cause so much tension and harm not just to you, but it affects everyone around you.