Oduduwa and the Creation of the Earth

In the beginning, there was only water—endless, dark, primordial waters stretching in all directions. Above sat Olodumare in the heavens with the Orishas.

Olodumare summoned Obatala, the wisest Orisha, and gave him a golden chain, a calabash filled with soil, a five-toed chicken, and a palm nut. "Descend," said Olodumare, "and create dry land where humans may live."

Obatala began his descent, but along the way he stopped at a feast where palm wine flowed freely. He drank deeply and fell into a stupor, his sacred mission forgotten.

Seeing this, Olodumare sent Oduduwa to complete the work. Oduduwa took the chain, the calabash, and the chicken from his sleeping brother and descended to the waters below. He poured out the soil onto the waters and set the chicken upon it. The bird scratched and spread the soil in all directions, creating vast expanses of dry land.

Where Oduduwa first touched the earth became Ile-Ife, the sacred city, the navel of the world. There he planted the palm nut, which grew into the tree of life. There he established the first kingdom, becoming the ancestor of all Yoruba rulers.

When Obatala awoke and discovered what had happened, he was filled with shame. Olodumare, in mercy, gave him dominion over the creation of human bodies—though he must never drink palm wine while doing so.