At that time, the Earth did not exist. Olorun lived in the sky, where he made a giant baobab tree grow.
After uncounted ages, Olorun grew lonely, so he created spirits called orishas to serve him. They lived in the shade of the baobab tree, and Olorun gave them food, fine clothes, gold jewellery and anything else they wanted.
The orishas were happy living under the tree. “Why should we go anywhere else?” they would say. “Olorun and the baobab tree give us everything we need!”
But Obatala was different from the other orishas. He was curious about what existed beyond the tree, and was always asking questions.
One day, he asked Olorun, “What is beneath the sky?”
The supreme being smiled. “Why don't you go and see?”
Obatala dived…
