The Ingenious Orisha, the Calabash & the Great Deluge: How the wisdom of Obatala prevailed over Olókun’s wrath.
[Collected African Mythologies III]
In the ancient land of the Yoruba, where gods and mortals mingled like raindrops in a mighty river, there lived a clever orisha {1} named Obatala {2}. Known far and wide for her wisdom and foresight, Obatala was a favorite of the great god Olórun, creator of the heavens and the earth.
One day, as Obatala walked along the shore, she noticed the sea growing restless. The waves churned and foamed, and the wind carried whispers of discontent from the depths below. Curious, Obatala cast her net into the water and pulled forth a shimmering fish. To her surprise, the fish spoke, revealing itself as a messenger from Olókun, the powerful orisha of the seas {3}.]
“Great Obatala,” the fish said, its scales glinting in the sunlight, “I bring a warning from the depths. Olókun has grown weary of humanity’s wickedness and plans to flood the earth, washing away all life in a great deluge {4}.
Obatala’s heart grew heavy with this knowledge, for she knew the might of Olókun’s anger. Yet, she refused to despair. With a determined spirit, she set forth to gather the most precious seeds, the most righteous humans, and the most noble beasts of the land {5}.
As the rains began to fall and the waters rose, Obatala worked tirelessly to craft a great calabash, a gourd of immense size and strength {6}. Into this sanctuary, she placed the seeds, the humans, and the animals, sealing them safely within its protective shell.
Higher and higher the floodwaters climbed, submerging the land beneath an endless expanse of blue. But the calabash, buoyed by Obatala’s wisdom and the prayers of those within, floated serenely upon the surface. For forty days and forty nights {7}, the deluge raged, Olókun’s fury manifest in each crashing wave and thundering downpour {8}.
At last, the rains ceased, and the waters began to recede. As the calabash came to rest upon the newly exposed earth, Obatala unsealed its lid, allowing the occupants to emerge, blinking in the bright sunlight. The humans, grateful for their salvation, knelt before Obatala, offering thanks and praise.
“Rise, my children,” Obatala said, her voice soft yet powerful. “The world is yours to rebuild, guided by the wisdom of the past and the promise of a brighter future. Remember the lessons of the flood, and let your hearts be filled with kindness and compassion.”
And so, under Obatala’s watchful gaze, the humans set forth to cultivate the land, sowing the precious seeds and nurturing the young saplings that sprung forth {9}. The animals, too, multiplied and flourished, filling the forests and plains with the sounds of life renewed.
From that day forward, the people of the Yoruba honored Obatala as the great mother, the savior of humanity. They passed down the tale of the flood and the calabash from generation to generation, a reminder of the enduring power of wisdom, foresight, and the indomitable spirit of hope. And they never forgot the might of Olókun, offering prayers and sacrifices to appease the goddess of the seas, lest her anger rise once more {10}.
Footnotes
{1} Orisha are the divine spirits or deities venerated in the Yoruba religion. Each Orisha is associated with specific natural elements, human activities, and moral principles, serving as intermediaries between the supreme god, Olórun, and humanity, guiding and influencing the lives of their devotees. Some of the most prominent Orisha include Obatala, the creator and god of purity; Olókun, the goddess of the seas; Shango, the god of thunder and justice; and Oshún, the goddess of love, fertility, and fresh water. The Orisha are not simply abstract deities but are believed to have once lived as human beings who achieved divine status through their extraordinary deeds and wisdom. As such, they serve as powerful archetypes and role models for their followers, embodying the virtues and challenges of the human experience.
{2} Obatala is a major Orisha in Yoruba mythology, often associated with creation, purity, and morality. In some traditions, Obatala is portrayed as male, while in others, the deity is female or androgynous.
{3} Olókun is a powerful Orisha in Yoruba mythology, ruling over the seas, oceans, and all aquatic life. Often depicted as a woman, Olókun is associated with wealth, fertility, and the mysteries of the deep.
{4} The flood story is common to ancient cultures throughout the world. While those in the West and Levant may be familiar with the biblical story of the flood, it can also be found in the legends (histories?) of the Mesopotamians, Greeks, Hindus, Aztecs, Maya, Chinese, Native Americans, Aboriginal Australians and the Norse.
{5} The gathering of seeds, righteous humans, and noble animals mirrors the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, highlighting the theme of preserving life and wisdom in the face of divine retribution.
{6} The calabash, a large, hollow gourd, is an important symbol in Yoruba culture, often used as a container, musical instrument, or ritual object. Its use as a sanctuary in this story underscores its cultural significance.
{7} The duration of the flood, forty days and forty nights, echoes the biblical narrative and holds symbolic importance in many cultures, representing a period of trial, purification, or transformation.
{8} The description of Olókun’s fury manifesting in the crashing waves and thundering downpour emphasizes her power over the elements and her central role in the story’s conflict.
{9} The act of cultivating the land and nurturing new life after the flood signifies the rebirth and renewal of the world, as well as the importance of agriculture and stewardship in Yoruba society.
{10} The inclusion of prayers and sacrifices to Olókun at the end of the story highlights the importance of maintaining balance and respect for the forces of nature, as well as the ongoing relationship between humanity and the divine in Yoruba culture.
