ABSTRACT
There are many stories of creation among the Yoruba, but the story which I have chosen to open this study on the Genesis of the Yoruba is remarkable, I think, owing to the statement of Oja that the three parts representing God in Creation turned to stone when once they had set Creation going, leaving the carrying on of the work, it would appear, to sixteen great Orisha. Togun (see below) does not mention the word Olorun, the word now used to represent God, who is also known as Eleda the Creator, Elemi (the owner of breath). I think we shall learn as we proceed that he, as the owner of heaven, is a development of Jakuta, the father thunder god.
