SKU: G-MYDP20081

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.

Dayunisi makes the Earth (Cherokee and Yoruba)

Also, during the time of the beginning of things, the animals lived above in Galunlati, the space in the in-between, but it was very crowded and they wanted more room. Dayunisi, the little Water beetle, overheard Olorum talking to the Great Spirit and offered to go see what was below the water. The Great Spirit touched by both Obatala's and water beetle’s desire to do something helpful, agreed to send both to the watery marsh-world below.  Water beetle repeatedly dived to the bottom of the water and came up with soft mud––adding to the earth. To keep the new island from sinking, though, they had to suspended cords at each of the cardinal points to the sky vault above to keep the island afloat. (Today this island is called “Turtle Island”.)