Itanife: The Book Of Ifa (Orisha Chronicles) #NaNo2015Winner

The Creation Story - Part 19

"The story goes that the Orishas lived in harmony under a baobab tree where all their wants were easily at hand. They had all they could eat and wore the best silks and jewellery they desired. They danced and sang and loved and were happy to be close to their Father and one another. They were content under the guardianship of their Father and wanted for nothing. But there was one for whom this was not enough".

"Oh oh, I just knew you were going to say something like that. It all sounded too good to be true". Abi says in a wary tone. I want to tell her to shut up but I have to admit I agree with her. Sounds to me like the garden of Eden story. Every thing all hunky dory until one person decides things could be better. It would seem even the gods are predictable.

" Yes Abs you're right. Obbalata the curious searched always for more knowledge. He looked down from the sky and through the thick mist saw only a vast body of water. He wanted to explore and like a good son went to Olorun and asked if he could go down to the unknown and make the water solid.

Now Olorun was a dotting Father and sought to encourage all his orishas to live to their full potential. He was proud of Obbatala's need for knowledge and so blessed his endeavour.

Obbatala knowing the best way to gain dominance over the unknown is to be equipped with the most information, sought out Orunmila who he asked what he would need to be successful in his adventures. Orunmila consulted his sacred tray which had been sprinkled with the powder of the baobab tree and tossed sixteen palm kernels onto the tray. He studied carefully the patterns they made until he saw the answer to Obbatala's question. Orunmila told him he would need a long gold chain, palm nuts, maize and sand from the sky. In addition, he would also need to take with him the scared egg which contained the spirits of all the Orishas."

I hear Abi snort beside me but I am thankful she makes no further comments. Sheni chooses to ignore her and continues his story. I realise I like how he is retelling this story. It reminds me of the TV show 'tales by moonlight' we used to watch as children. I wonder if he remembers and is doing 'the voice' for my benefit. We always told each other stories with that voice, it used to be our favourite show.

"Obbatala went to his fellow Orishas and asked for their gold. Now the Orishas at that time all lived as one family and were happy to give their brother all the gold they had. Obbatala took the gold to the goldsmith who melted it all down to make a long chain with a hook at the end.

In preparation for his journey, Obbatala gathered all the sand in the sky, mixed with a little baobab powder which he put in an empty snail shell. He collected palm nuts, maize and other seeds he found around the baobab tree and put them all in a pack he hung across his shoulders. The sacred egg he wrapped in his shirt and kept close to his chest for safety and warmth during his travel.

After saying his farewells to Olurun and the other Orishas, Obbatala hooked the chain into the sky and began the long climb down. It took him seven days and seven nights before he reached the end of the chain. When he got there, he hung on, unsure what to do as he stared at the seemingly unending flow of water. Suddenly he heard Orunmila's voice telling him to throw the sand down onto the water below. He did and to his amazement, the sand spread and solidified to make a vast land.

So excited was Obbatala to see this that his heart pounded so hard it cracked the sacred egg. From it flew Sankofa, the bird bearing the spirits of the Orishas. Like a storm they blew the sand to make dunes and hills and lowlands, giving the earth different unique shapes and textures just as the Orishas themselves are unique.

"Wow! I've never heard that version before". Abi says quietly.

"Me neither". Kemi whispers back. They both seem very impressed.