Description
Book SynopsisThis collection of myths – some of them simple pieces of narrative, others mysterious, poetic and often amusing – illustrate the religion and thought of the West African Yoruba People. Interspersed with drawings of Yoruba motifs, the myths are compiled and introduced by Ulli Beier, who himself holds two Yoruba chieftaincy titles.
Table of ContentsList of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Notes on the contributors; Introduction; 1. The sun; 2. The moon; 3. Choosing a fate; 4. Orishanla; 5. The creation of land; 6. Obatala and Oduduwa; 7. Oranmiyan; 8. How Obatla lost the Calabash of good character; 9. Obatala the creator; 10. Obatala and Ojiya; 11. Obatala and the witches; 12. Oranmiyan and the foundation of Old Oyo; 13. Oranmiyan estyablishes dynasties in Benin and Oyo; 14. Shango; 15. Shango and his brothers; 16. Shango and the origina and tribal marks; 17. Shango and the usurper; 18. Shango and Oya (I); 19. Shango and Oya (II); 20. Obatala and Shango (II); 21. Obatala ans Shango (II); 22. Oya; 23. Ogun; 24. Ogun and the origin of circumcision; 25. Ogun confronts Oduduwa; 26. Ogun and the food-seller; 27. Erinle and Ogun; 28. Oluorogbo; 29. Sakpata; 30. Shonponna; 31. Yemenja; 32. Otin; 33. Orisha Oko; 34. Oro; 35. How Orunmila became an orisha (I); 36. How Orunmila became an orisha (II); 37. Orunmila and his wife; 38. Osanyin; 39. Eshu (I); 40. Eshu (II); 41. Eshu (III); Notes; Illustrations.
