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The Yoruba religion originated between 500-300 BC in West Africa in the area which used to be known as Yorubaland, which now covers the countries of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Ashe, the life force in all living things, is a central concept. This force created Earth and can be found in both humans and Divine Beings. People can also become one with the Creator, Who is the source of this Divine energy. Yoruba spirituality also includes the concept of reincarnation and the idea that virtuous people who do good deeds have the opportunity to be reborn again. The Odu Ifá, a sacred spiritual text passed down orally by the Ife priests, was in 2005 designated by UNESCO “as one of the world’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” Yoruba spirituality has also influenced other belief systems worldwide, including Santeria, Candomblé, Trinidad Orisha, as well as the Umbanda religion. Today, we are pleased to present the Creation story from the book “Myths of Ífè” translated by John Wyndham from recitations by the high priests of Ífè. THE BEGINNING “[…] Before this World was made There reigned Arámfè in the realm of Heaven Amidst His sons. Old were the hills around Him; The Sun had shone upon His vines and cornfields Since time past reckoning. Old was Arámfè, The Father of the Gods: His youth had been The youth of Heaven. Once, when the King reclined Upon the dais, and His sons lay prostrate In veneration at His feet, He spoke Of the great things He purposed: ‘My sons, you know But fair things which I made for you before I called your spirits from the Dusk: for always Your eyes have watched the shadows and the wind On waving corn, and I have given you The dances and the chorus of the night— An age of mirth and sunrise (the elixir of Heaven) Is your existence. […]”
