SKU: G-MYOP20081

Myths, Magic, and Meaning
Using myths and legends from Africa (Yoruba), Native America (Cherokee), and Judeo-Christian traditions, I am extrapolating, interpolating, combining, paralleling (where appropriate), and refashioning these myths to compose neo-narratives that reflect my diverse cultural background--African, Native American, and Christian. To this end, I am writing neo-story myths and creating a series of studies and paintings reflective of the ideas, symbols, and content of this new meta-cultural version.

Obatala's Journeys to the Earth (Yoruba)
Obatala asked Orunmila, the Santo who knows the future, what he should do to prepare for his undertaking. After consulting his divining tray and sixteen palm nuts with their divine meanings, Orunmila directed Obatala to descend to the watery marshes on a chain of gold. Also, he was to take a snail shell packed with sand, a white hen to distribute the sand, a cat to be a companion, and palm nuts. Orunmila also told Obatala to get the sacred egg carrying the personalities of all the Santos. For the gold to make the chain, Obatala went to his fellow Santos to ask for help and they all gave all the gold they had. And so, he had someone make the golden chain. In his pack, he put the rooster along with palm nuts, the cat, and other seeds that he found around the holy tree.  He wrapped the egg in his shirt, close to his chest so that it would be warm during his journey. 

Obatala hooked the chain into the sky vault, and he began to climb down the chain. Finally, he reached the end of the chain. He hung at its end, and began to pour the sand from the snail's shell, and immediately to release the white hen. He did as he Orunmila told him, whereupon the hen landing on the sand began scratching and scattering the sand about making the marshland more solid and dry