Question

What does this creation myth tell us about Yoruba culture? How does it enhance the brief amount of historical information given in the introduction to the Creation of the Universe and Ife? Instructions: As you discuss this story with your classmates you might consider the following questions in developing your posts: • Why would a god desire companionship? • How do the Yoruba gods care for the world and the people? • How do the events of the myths demonstrate the concerns of the Yoruba tribe? . Are those concerns still vital today? The chameleon is an interesting character. What is the significance of the contest between Olorun and Olokun, and the way that the chameleon participates in the trickery? How does that reflect on the proclamation that Olorun is the greatest of the gods? 2:19 PM E

Answer 1

The work is a creation myth and discusses the way Yoruba culture had gods with human imperfections. The place Ife was created by Obatala in the state of drunkeness and their gods even had their own fights and ways of expressing anger. However they needed companionship because like human beings they had to make up each other's imperfections by companionship. Yet the gods were concerned about humans and they formed teams to help them come out of problems or to create a world where they could live in. Since the gods had human imperfections, the Yoruba people could even today fear the wrath of the gods and their city could be subject to destruction. The contest is significant because it shows that creation of material objects could easily be mimicked or copied but what prevails in goodness and intelligence. With proper intelligence and good intention for saving the people Olorun wins the contest.