The Big Myth Responses

The Big Myth Responses



The Yoruba Creation Myth


This myth began in the Congo region in Africa and spread itself around the land as time passed. It begins with a world of sea and no land and creatures inhabiting it. Above the world lay the sky and the great council of the gods: the Orisha. The god Olorun ruled the sky, and below him Olokun ruled the sea. One god named Obatala suggested making dry land. He requested this in front of Olorun. The sky god agreed, and Obatala then asked the wisest of the gods - Orunmilla - for advise. He told Obatala to bring a long gold chain, a snail’s shell filled with sand, a palm nut, a white hen, and a black cat. Once Obatala got these items he hung the chain from the corner of the sky and climbed down toward the endless sea. When he reached the bottom of the chain, Obatala threw the sand from the shell on the water. Then he dropped the chicken onto the sand. The chicken pecked and scratched at the sand in a frenzy, which created mountains and valleys. Obatala threw down the palm nut which grew a thick forest of palm trees. He dropped onto the new land and decided to live there with the cat. Eventually, he became bored and decided to shape figures out of clay as he drank palm wine. Obatala became drunk and and created disfigured people which Olorun breathed life into. When Obatala finally came to his senses he realized he had created disformed creatures! He vowed never to drink wine again and created perfect people who as soon as they came alive, immediately started to make buildings and cities. Obatala became the creator of mankind and all the Orisha were pleased with his work except for Olokun who had never been told of this feat. In his anger, he created a flood which wiped out much of the people. From then on, humans realized just how powerful the sea was.


Maori Creation


In the beginning, The only thing was Te Kore: the nothing. From him came Te Pō: the night. There were many nights and the final night joined with space to create two thoughts: Rangi: god of the sky, and Papa: Goddess of the land. Together they fell in love and decided to cling to one another forever. No light or time could pass between the bond. Papa and Rangi gave birth to over a hundred children; a few of which were Tangaroa: god of the sea, Tanē: god of the forests, Tūmātauenga: god of war, Whiro: god of darkness, and Tawhirimātea: god of the winds. They were trapped between their parents with almost no room to move. The children decided to take action. All of them had an idea, but Tanē’s plan was accepted. He took two poles and placed them at his parents’ feet and heads. Then, he pushed for years until Rangi and Papa finally separated. Rangi’s blood created the sunset and Papa’s blood became the red clay. Light and time could now enter the world. Tawhirimātea was furious that his sibling did not choose his plan to separate his parents. In anger, he ripped out his eyes and threw them to the sky, creating the first two stars. Then he made storms and hurricanes. His anger never subsided. Because Rangi and Papa were separated, they both cried for their loss. Rangi’s tears became rain, and Papa’s sighs of unhappiness became mist.

Phan Ku The Creator

Phan Ku the Creator

One Chinese Creation Myth describes that life began after a giant cosmic egg called ‘No Thing’ hatched and the Great Creator: Phan Ku broke free of his ‘eggy’ prison.  He created Earth with a chisel and separated it from the sky.  After his death, his body decomposed and became the dirt.  Other characteristics of Earth were created from Phan Ku’s remains.  His fleas became people and inhabited Phan Ku’s creation.  Unfortunately, after the perfect Creator died, human suffering was allowed to enter the world.

Caleb Gray

My Name

My Name

A person’s name explains their identity.  It represents themselves in a combination of letters which combine to make a unique label for that person.  Our names separate us from others, allows us to share our family’s culture, and to show our self to the world.  Names are important in this confusing world full of people.  My name is simply me. Its meaning represents me an individual.  For my name is Caleb, and don’t you forget it!

Almost every word has some sort of base.  Most don’t just pop up out of nowhere.  The same applies with names.  My name has a good meaning unlike some names which have meaning like ‘smelly one’ or ‘chubby face’!  In Hebrew, Caleb means dog or loyal.  In the bible, Moses sent twelve spies to the Promised Land.  Only Caleb and Joshua made it alive.  The name became common in English around the 17th century, when Puritans introduced it to America.  I like how my name means loyal or dog.  I love dogs and have two of them at home and I like to consider myself loyal to people I care about.

I was lucky to have been given a good name.  I feel sorry for those who are name Helga or Gertrude and are forced to legally change their name to stop having to hear the scoffs of laughter as they explain their name’s meaning (Gertrude means toad or wart, I forget which one it is).  I like my name because first of all, not many people have it.  I’ve always liked the idea of unique names and not having one like Bill or John.  My second reason for liking my name is that it fits me well.  Have you ever known someone whose name just doesn’t fit with their personality?  Luckily, I feel that isn’t the case for me.  I am a Caleb, not a Joe or Kurt.  It’s amazing that my parents were able to know my name before they ever even saw me!  For some reason, they just knew I was a Caleb.

Names are delicate things, like one of those tiny sandwiches that English people like to eat with their tea.  It’s hard to get your name just right.  I feel that my name will become a common word coming from other’s mouths.  Caleb represents the greatness I am destined to have.  Wherever I go, my name will follow.  When all is lost, I will still have that two syllable word which means so much to me: Caleb.