When the Gods Created Monsters Weapons of War

Before there was such a thing as night or day or the noon in between, the sky above was inhabited by the old gods. The gods were led by the powerful Ọlọ́run, who ruled as lord of the heavenly realms. Below the lord of the heavenly realms lay a treacherous depth that mirrored the sky above. The depth was of only water and primordial monsters, but Ọlọ́run would not allow these beasts to exist in isolation and so he sent Olóòkun to conquer the seas. Olóòkun was victorious and, as a result, was granted dominion over what he had conquered, and so Olóòkun was lord of the sea.

The old gods were three, and soon Obàtálá became discontent with playing second fiddle in heaven, so he sought to create the land. With the permission of Ọlọ́run and the advice of Ọ̀rúnmìlà, the impartial spirit of divination, he set about his task.

“A long white chain so you can climb down

Some sand in a shell, you should go and get now,

A white hen, and a palm nut

For what you want.”