The son of Olorun, Oxalá, is associated with the sky and considered the creator of humanity.
Olorun, the supreme, cast breath over the void.
Yoruba (southwest Nigeria):At the beginning of time, there was only the sky, ruled over by the orisha (god) Olorun, and the waters below, ruled by the female deity Olokun.
He planted palms, asked Olorun to create the sun, and, in time, created people from sculpted clay.
She challenged Olorun to a contest of clothmaking, at which she excelled.
Olorun sent Agemo, the chameleon, as a messenger, asking Olokun first to show some of her cloth.
Seeing such a power in a mere messenger, Olokun wondered at Olorun's powers and acknowledged his greatness.
Olorun (also known as Olodumare), the supreme god of the Yoruba pantheon, decided to create the earth.
Olorun summoned Obatala, one of the Orishas, and tasked him with creating solid ground so that humanity and all other living things could inhabit the earth.
Olorun provided Obatala with essential tools for creation:
Obatala descended to the primordial waters using a golden chain given by Olorun.
He shaped them into human forms and then brought them to Olorun, who breathed life into them.
The Orishas, who were guardians and intermediaries between Olorun and the earth, grew dismayed at humanity's lack of reverence.
Seeing the disobedience and corruption on earth, Olorun decided that a drastic action was necessary to restore balance.
With Olorun's blessing, Olokun gathered her waters and sent a mighty flood across the land.
After the flood subsided, Olorun decided to give humanity another chance.