A direct link to the pfd of my creation (Zulu) myth is here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&sqi=2&ved=0CEAQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhq.scisdragons.net%2Fxkruger%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F08%2FOriginStoryZulu.pdf&ei=fWkQUYzbEqvNigKlkoG4Bw&usg=AFQjCNEUD7KaFTRxGjsCE6ITI98POPjdCw&sig2=OlUsIQNEwl8wB3ryGLEzwQ&bvm=bv.41934586,d.cGE
For anyone who doesn't want to read it in its entirety I will sum it up for you.
In the beginning there was a swamp whose name was Uhlanga. One day the Sky God, who is called the Great One came down from the heavens and asked the swamp to marry him. She agreed and from their union the whole world was created.
Shortly after their union the Great One noticed two different colored vines growing out of the swamp. He picked the vines, looked at them again and declared "from these vines I will make humans!" So the Great One made two humans, one male and one female, and they became the ansestors of all of mankind.
The Great One decided to give gifts to his new humans so he said "My creations need light!" and he threw the sun, moon, and stars in to the sky. Then he said "Let there be animals in the forest and fish in the see. Let there be insects in the grasses and birds in the air." And as he spoke all of these things came in to being. Finally he said "Let there be water for my creations to drink and fire so they can cook their food." And these things came in to existence as well.
The Great One decided to give the humans one more gift so he called to the Chameleon and told him to climb down the vines that connect to Earth and give the humans this message: "All of my creations will never die."
So the Chameleon began to climb down to Earth and as he did he thought "I had better go slow and be careful not to fall and it probably won't matter if I stop and eat a few of these tasty leaves."
Meanwhile the Great One was reconsidering the final gift he gave the humans. Changing his mind he called to Lizard. He said "Lizard, go down to Earth and tell my creations my commandment: All of my creations will eventually die. But you must hurry, once my word is spoken to the people it will become the truth."
"I will hurry Great One!" said the Lizard and then he rushed down to Earth.
When he Lizard arrived on Earth he gathered all of the Great One's creations and spoke "I have a message from the Great One: All of my creations will eventually die." The people heard the message and continuted on with their day.
Some time later the Chameleon finally made his way down to Earth. He gathered all of the Great One's creations and told them, "I have a message from the Great One: All of my creations will never die." The people looked around confused. Finally one man spoke up, "But the Lizard just told us that the Great One decreed that we will all eventually die."
The Chameleon sighed and hung his head. "I have done a horrible thing. Because of my tardiness all creatures will die."
This is why no one lives forever.
Hi Carol.
ReplyDeleteI was searching for Zulu creation myth when I saw your blog. Not to offense but I was wondering where did you get the story of the Sky God married the swamp and made two humans? Because I also came across many articles said that Unkulunkulu was the first human that create everything. Again I am just curious about the different story of Zulu creation myth :D