Orisha Nla

Orisha Nla was sent to create the world by the Supreme Deity of the Yoruba, Olorun. It is said that at the beginning there was nothing but a marshy wasteland with no definite Earth or water. There were many deities surrounding and attending to the Almighty Olorun, but only Orisha Nla was selected to carry out the task of creating a world.

Olorun gave Orisha Nla several gifts for his task. These gifts included a shell filled with Earth that had been infused with special energy, a five-toed hen, and a pigeon. These gifts were to [Page 506]accompany Orisha Nia wherever he went in his work of organizing the wasteland into an ordered world. The task was difficult because to bring order from chaos is not an easy activity.

Nevertheless, Orisha Nla threw the Earth down on the marshy wasteland, and the hen and pigeon began to scratch it until the sea and land were separated. The work of Orisha Nla was investigated by a chameleon who reported to Olorun. It was approved and accepted by Olorun, and Orisha Nla was given permission to continue his task. Of course, the first place that was made was Ilé-Ifè, the house of Heaven, the most sacred city of the Yoruba people.

Orisha Nla worked for 4 full days to create the Earth and then on the fifth day he took a rest. Thus, the Yoruba culture recognizes a 4-day work week and a fifth day of rest. Once Orisha Nla had completed the task of bringing order out of chaos to create the land, he was ordered by Olorun to plant trees on the Earth. Soon Orisha Nla was planting seeds that grew into trees and made huge forests. He sent rain to ensure the continued growth of the forest.

This was not the end of creation. People had to be made, and so Olorun created the first people in Heaven. Orisha Nla followed the model of Olorun and created people on Earth according to the pattern shown by Olorun. Once people were made on Earth, Olorun gave them the breath of life. Soon Orisha Nla wanted to have the secret of giving life. He hid in the forest that he had made and watched from afar to see how Olorun gave the breath of life. However, because Olorun was almighty and omnipotent, he knew that Orisha Nla was hiding and caused him to become unconscious so that he was unaware of Olorun's gift. Thus, even until now only Olorun has the ability to give life.