Themes In African Creation Stories :: African Culture Essays

Themes In African Creation Stories Like all cultures, African cultures inevitably had to deal with the issue of "How did we get here?" To answer this pressing question, the people invented stories that reflect the values, morals, and norms of their individual societies. When one examines these stories, one can gain insight into what these cultures were like. "An African Cosmogony" tells of how the world was created through a powerful being named Bumba, who regurgitates the sun, moon, stars, and the first nine living creatures. One of the values that appears in this story is the responsibility of each person to do his fair share for the community. Each of the nine animals plays its role by creating more creatures to populate the world. For example, the small fish, Yo, brings forth the world's fish, while the beetle creates insects. This theme is further exemplified by the three sons of Bumba, who each try to do their part to complete the earth. However, one learns that one should not try to do more than one is capable of, as Chedi Bumba does, or the results will not be favorable. Bumba also makes it clear that those whose behavior is detrimental to the community have no place in the community. For instance, Tsetse, lightning, is chased away for being a trouble-maker. Bumba sums up this sense of community by saying, "Behold these wonders. They belong to you." The earth is both the property and responsibility of every creature. Lastly, the respect each person should have for the dead is shown through the ants, created by Nyonye Ngana. These creatures "went searching for black earth in the depths of the world and covered the barren sands to bury and honor their creator." "An African Story of the Creation of Man" takes a much different approach to explaining the origin of humankind. It tells of how the creator Juok molded each race from the colored clay of that region. Juok then provided humans with the things necessary to fully enjoy and appreciate life. Among these gifts were two legs, arms, ears, eyes and a mouth. This story depicts the perfection of humans in the sense that they are fully equipped with everything needed for practical purposes. It serves to make people value what they have and their ability to perform many tasks. The regurgitation theme is continued in "Egyptian Cosmogony and Theogony.