Ori in Yoruba mythology

In Yoruba mythology, there is a story that explains why Orí comes before all other deities. The story goes like this:

Once upon a time, all the deities gathered for a meeting to discuss who among them was the greatest. They argued and debated, each one claiming to be the most powerful and important. Finally, they decided to hold a contest to determine the winner.
The contest was to see who could create a human being the fastest. The deities all set to work, using their various powers and abilities to create a human. Some used clay, others used water, and still, others used fire.
As the deities worked, they became increasingly competitive and began to argue and fight with each other. In the chaos, they forgot to give the human a head, leaving it incomplete and lifeless.
Just then, Orí arrived on the scene. Seeing the incomplete human, Orí took pity on it and decided to help. Using his own power, Orí created a head for the human and breathed life into it.
The other deities were amazed and humbled by Orí's power and wisdom. They realized that Orí was the most important deity of all, as he was the one who gave each person their individual destiny and purpose.
From that day on, Orí was recognized as the first and most important deity, the one who comes before all others. This story teaches the importance of individual destiny and the power of Orí in shaping each person's life.
Ifawale Ola



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