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In Yoruba mythology, the Great Flood is a significant event that marks a divine intervention by the Orishas, the gods of Yoruba culture. Here is a detailed account of the Great Flood and the events that led to it.
Events Leading to the Great Flood
Creation of the World
In the beginning, there was only a vast, endless expanse of water. The world as we know it did not yet exist. 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:
- A snail shell filled with sand
- A white hen
- A palm nut
- A pigeon
Obatala descended to the primordial waters using a golden chain given by Olorun. He poured the sand from the snail shell onto the surface of the water. The white hen was then released and began to scratch at the sand, spreading it across the waters to create land.
Afterward, Obatala planted the palm nut, which quickly grew into a palm tree. This tree bore more nuts, which Obatala used to plant more trees, creating a rich landscape. This newly formed land was named Ile-Ife, the sacred city that would become the center of Yoruba culture.
Creation of Humanity
Obatala felt that the world needed life, so he began to mold figures from clay. He shaped them into human forms and then brought them to Olorun, who breathed life into them. Thus, humanity came into existence.
However, during the creation process, Obatala grew tired and thirsty. He drank palm wine, which caused him to become inebriated. Under the influence of the palm wine, Obatala made mistakes in molding some figures, leading to the creation of individuals with physical deformities. Once he sobered up, Obatala felt remorse for his actions and vowed never to drink again. He also became the protector of those born with physical differences.
Discontent Among the Orishas
The earth flourished, and humanity began to grow. However, as human beings multiplied, they became increasingly disrespectful toward the Orishas. They began to forget the divine rules, causing disorder and chaos to spread across the land.
The Orishas, who were guardians and intermediaries between Olorun and the earth, grew dismayed at humanity’s lack of reverence. They warned the people repeatedly, but their pleas went unheard.
The Great Flood
The Decision to Cleanse the Earth
Seeing the disobedience and corruption on earth, Olorun decided that a drastic action was necessary to restore balance. He called upon Olokun, the Orisha of the sea, to unleash her waters and cleanse the earth of its impurities.
Olokun, who had long been dissatisfied with humanity’s disregard for the natural world and her domain, was more than willing to comply. With Olorun’s blessing, Olokun gathered her waters and sent a mighty flood across the land.
The Flood
The floodwaters rose and spread, covering Ile-Ife and beyond. All that had been built by humanity was swept away. It is said that the flood lasted for many days, and only those who sought refuge with the Orishas survived. The sacred city of Ile-Ife was almost completely submerged, leaving only a few high points visible above the waters.
Some versions of the story recount how the Orisha Orunmila, the deity of wisdom and divination, helped guide a few faithful individuals to safety. Orunmila provided these people with the knowledge they needed to survive until the waters receded.
The Aftermath
After the flood subsided, Olorun decided to give humanity another chance. He called upon Orunmila to descend to earth and help restore order. Orunmila used his divinatory powers to teach the survivors how to live righteously and in harmony with the Orishas.
The survivors rebuilt their lives, and Ile-Ife was restored as the sacred center of the world. Humanity was reminded of the importance of respecting both the Orishas and the natural world. The flood became a symbol of divine retribution but also of renewal and the chance to start afresh.
