In all of the creation stories, there is the belief of a deity that is responsible in creating the earth and man. However, unlike the Hymn to Aten and the excerpts from Genesis, the Yoruba religion starts off the creation stories with the belief that the god of creation, Obatala was sent by the highest God, Oludumare to create the earth. This I thought was significant because both the Hymn to Aten and Genesis seem to find the creator of the world to be the almighty and highest being, emphasizing the value of monotheism, while Yoruba shows polytheistic views. However, Obatala does play a large role in this creation, as “he placed the corn on the water, spread the earth over it and placed the cock on top…and thus the land spread far and wide” and “gives shape to the new babe in the mother’s womb (392). Oludumare was responsible for sending Obatala and also breathing life into his creations: “Obatala made man out of earth. After shaping men and women he gave them to Oludamare to blow in the breath of life” (392).
Another interesting aspect in these creation stories is the value of animals in the culture. Throughout the creation stories a rooster, a chameleon, a spider, a goat and a sheep were all mentioned. The cock or rooster is seen as assisting in the spreading of the earth in Obatala’s creation: “The cock immediately started to scratch and thus the land spread far and wide”. I don’t know exactly what role the chameleon plays but he is mentioned to have “found a human pair in his fish trap… (and) reported his discovery to Mulungu.” The spider however plays a large role as it “spun a thread up to the sky and down again…And Mulungu ascended to the sky on the spider’s thread to escape the wickedness of men.” The sheep and the goat are sent as messengers from God to humans about life and death: “God sent the sheep with eternal life and a gift to men. But the he-goat ran on ahead and gave them death as a gift from God.” So in a way the sheep and goat may have been seen as symbols of life and death in their culture.
Also, there is a negative view on the role of women during this time. In the creation stories, women were seen as responsible for separating man from God, as stated, “In primeval times, God had familiar intercourse with men and gave them all they needed. This state, however, came to an end when some women who were grinding their food became embarrassed by God’s presence and told him to go away…” (393)
Based on these aspects, we can infer that the Yoruba people were polytheistic and held a value for animals in their culture. From the portrayal of women in their creation stories, one can infer that they had a patriarchal society. They also had their own ways of explaining the phenomena in the world, such as how the earth was created, why man is separated from God, and the origin of death.
I agree with the fact that the animals are significant to the Yoruba culture. As you mentioned the story, Mulungu and the Beasts, the spider is the savior for Mulungu to escape the death and wickedness. The spider says “I have gone on high nicely, now you Mulungu go on high.” (392). I believe the chameleon serves as a precaution to Mulungu and the beasts. Since the chameleon has fish traps, he might be sending warnings about unfamiliar creatures. Although the traps may seem protective, I think that the chameleon can be a warning to the other creatures in the forest not an actual defender of the land. Also the cock in The Creation of Land passage is the beginning of the land and life. Obatala is responsible for the creation of the world. In Yoruba religion/tradition, it is clear that people in those times had their own interpretations of the creation of the earth.
I completely agree with you when you say that animals played a very big role in the Yoruba culture. Just like every society, animals are depended on for not only the purpose of eating, but they can also be used domestically. Although in those times, they were only seen as something to hunt. One can infer that civilization would pick up because of these things. Many different animals have several different meanings to the people of yoruba. How its not what they do for them that gives them a label, it is what hope they bring to the people of Yoruba that gives them there meanings.