Afro-Asian

Literature 8 Name ________________ ________ Grade 8 Score:

MODULE

2 African Myths
Literary Piece: The Golden Chain by David A. Anderson/Sankofa
During the prehistoric times when the world was untamed and undeveloped, there existed stories or tales that were orally
transmitted to keep a group of people’s cultures alive. These stories, which strengthened people’s beliefs, values, and practices,
bound people together. These stories are called myths.
The word myth originated from the Greek mythos which means “story” or “word.” Myths are stories of the distant past
which are believed to be true by the peoples of particular culture.
The following are general features/characteristics of myths:
 Sacred or religious in nature and are often ceremonial or ritualistic”
 Reflect the social order or values of a particular culture or a group of people
 Represent a particular culture’s manner of understanding nature and how this understanding is applied to one’s society and
life;
 Feature nonhuman or supernatural beings, human beings with heroic and superhuman qualities;
 Arouse the senses to the unknown and the mysterious;
 Tell about the foundation or the origin of the world or universe (cosmos).
African myths differ from other myths for the following reasons:
 They are still very much a relevant part of the Africans’ practical day-to-day living. The myths are told and retold to teach
respect for the all living things and for the land they inhabit.
 African myths show the connection and harmony between the human spirit and the spirit world in the development of one’s
character and values.
 African myths are sacred in nature as evidenced by the Africans’ beliefs in a supreme being and spirits, their devotion to
their ancestors, and the other ritualistic practices.
 Unlike the myths of the countries which are now merely considered remnants or relics of a long-forgotten past, African
myths are kept alive in the Africans’ psyche and are used as effective vehicles in forming the minds and strengthening and
enriching the inner core of every African.
In the African culture, the most common myths deal with creation. A creation myth is a story that seeks to explain the
beginning of the world and the mysterious events that happen in it. Generally, it involves a god who creates the world out of a
vast, dark, and empty sphere. The gods and goddesses who inhabit it have no historical beginning or recorded births, nor do
they have a definite place of residence. In addition, there gods and goddesses, although having divine attributes, manifest
human weaknesses.
Like the other creation myths, Africa has similar stories of the origin of the world except that each culture or tribe has its
own version based on its beliefs and customs.

Challenge Yourself
FT1 Check your Comprehension. Check your comprehension by answering the following questions based on the myth you
have just read.
1. What typical characteristic of a myth is given in the sentence “Long ago, well before there were any people, all life
existed in the sky”? Tell about the foundation or the origin of the world or universe (cosmos)
2. Although the orishas found everything they needed for their lives, why was Obatala not content to live blissfully by the
baobao tree? They want to use their power to good.
3. Why did Obatala approach Olorun? What did he ask from him? He asked Olorun if he could go down and fill the vast ocean
with creation.
4. How did Olorun react with Obatala’s request? What evidence in the text shows this? Touched by Obatala’s desire to do
something constructive, Olorun agreed to send Obatala to the watery world below.
5. In your opinion, how does Olorun rule his kingdom? How did you arrive with your answer? What pieces of evidence point to
it? He is a generous ruler giving what need and granting their wishes.

6. How would you describe the relationship between Olorun and the orishas? Cite an evidence in the story that support your
assertion. They have a good relationship because Olorun is a generous ruler.
7. What is the most fitting word to describe Obatala’s desire to come down from the sky? Constructivist and Creative
8. What were the results of Obatala’s work on the vast body of water? The vast water was filled with lands.
9. What symbolic meaning can you attribute to the baobob tree? Home or Heavens.
10. What similarities can you draw between this myth and the Judeo-Christian creation story? Olorun then blew his breath
across Ife, and Obatala’s figures slowly came to life as the first people of Ife.

FT2 Finding Elements. Find the elements in the selection which conform to the following conventions of a myth.
Convention Statement
Long ago, well before there were any people, all life
1. Myths tell about the foundation or origin of the world existed in the sky. Olorun lived in the sky, and with

2. Myths are sacred or religious in nature.
3. Myths reflect a social order and the values of a particular
culture.
4. Myths feature nonhuman or supernatural beings.
Olorun were many orishas. 
There were both male and female orishas, but Olorun
transcended male and female and was the all-powerful
supreme being. Olorun and the orishas lived around a
young baobab tree.
Around the baobab tree the orishas found everything
they needed for their lives, and in fact they wore
beautiful clothes and gold jewelry. Olorun told them
that all the vast sky was theirs to explore. All the
orishas save one, however, were content to stay near
the baobab tree.
There were both male and female orishas, but Olorun
transcended male and female and was the all-powerful
supreme being.

Obatala was the curious orisha who wasn’t content to

5. Myths arouse the senses to the unknown and mysterious.
live blissfully by the baobab tree. Like all orishas, he
had certain powers, and he wanted to put them to use.
As he pondered what to do, he looked far down through
the mists below the sky. As he looked and looked, he
began to realize that there was a vast empty ocean
below the mist.

FT3 Distinguishing Features. What distinguishing features of an African myth are found in the story? Write your answers on
the concept map.

Feature of African Myth Feature of African Myth

Myths tell about the foundation or origin Myths feature nonhuman or
of the world supernatural beings.

Feature of African Myth Feature of African Myth

Myths are sacred or religious Myths arouse the senses to the
in nature. The Golden Chain unknown and mysterious.

Feature of African Myth Feature of African Myth

Myths reflect a social order and myths show the
the values of a particular culture.
connection and harmony
-end-
between the human spirit
and the spirit world in
the development of
one’s character and
values.