30 The Story of Woyingi or Woyengi:
“There is no story that is not true.”
Reflection
I am Woyingi. From Mother Earth, I create. Man and woman - I breathe and there is life. I allow choice - asking, “What will be your destiny?” I too - am Ogboinba. I choose my fate. Though strong and powerful, and I am famous beyond measure, I ache for family - for relationship, for sons and daughters. I seek out my destiny. I am the goddess of second chances, a help to those in need.
The Story of Woyingi or Woyengi:
--from the Ijaw tribe of Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
Retold by Zoe Golden, former Freelance Writer, Current Med Student with a few modifications by Mrs. Beasley.
Let’s Begin
Woyengi is the Great Mother and Creator. She emerged from the Celestial regions where people did not exist, on a bolt of lightning. She sat behind an iroko tree and found some clay which she used to mold humans into existence. Because they were neither male nor female, she breathed life into them and asked them what they would like to be. Next Woyengi asked them, one by one, what manner of life each should like to lead on earth.
Some asked for riches, some for children, some for short lives, and all manner of things. And these Woyengi bestowed on them one by one, each according to their wish. Then Woyengi asked them one by one by which manner of death they would return to her. And out of the diseases that afflict the earth they chose each a disease. To all these wishes Woyeingi said, ‘So be it’. The downside was that once they chose, they had to live it through. No one could change their destiny.
Among this group of newly created men and women, were two women. One of them, Abebi, asked of Woyengi rich and famous children, and the other asked for powers, mystic powers that would have no equal in the world- and this woman was Ogboinba.
Ogboinba
Ogboinba and Abebi came to be born in the same town and became inseparable friends. They ate and played together, sharing all their secrets and grew up as children of the same parents. But Ogboinba was an extraordinary child. At an early age she could heal and cure and had second-sight. She understood the tongues of birds and beasts, trees, and even of the blades of grass. She prophesied and performed things strange and wonderful, and her name became a by word on every lip.
When they both came of age, Ogboinba and her friend, Abebi, got married to the men of their choice. Abebi conceived and had a child. But Ogboinba was not satisfied. She too longed for a child. Although her mystic powers grew and her legend went far and wide, it did nothing to fill the ache inside her. So one day, she decided to go back to Woyengi and ask for her destiny to be changed.
Journey through the seven kingdoms
So Ogboinba took her bag of charms and medicines and set off on a journey to the iroko tree.
The first place she encountered was a wide road which led to a large sea. Between her and the sea was a forest, a mangrove forest where lived Isembi, the king of the forest. As she walked along, day and night without food or rest, she soon heard the noise of the sea, the waves breaking on the shore. On arrival, she was confronted by King Isembi. He entertained her with puff puff and zobo but warned against such a dangerous journey. She then challenged him to a duel. An arrogant man, he accepted. However, he could not defeat her. She took his powers and went on her way.
The journey continued as such, she would encounter powerful beings both gods and mortals, but defeated them all with ease while also taking their powers and adding to her own.
Soon she finally reached Woyengi’s domain and men and women appeared in pairs from the side of the field. The women carried brooms and the men, bags. As the women swept the men collected the dirt into their bags. When the field had been swept clean they disappeared back into the sides of the field, pair by pair. As she waited she saw the sky darken and a table descend on the field followed by a chair and a large ‘Creating Stone.’ Then there was lightning and thunder. Woyengi came down and sat on the chair and placed her feet on the ‘Creating Stone.’ Then on the table descended a quantity of earth and with it Woyengi went through her usual process of creation and led the men and women to the two streams, the streams that flowed to the habitation of humans. Then Woyengi returned to the field and ordered up the table, the chair and then the ‘Creating Stone.’These things went up one by one into the sky. When she was about to ascend, Ogboinba rushed out from her hiding place and challenged her to a contest of powers.
Woyengi revealed that she had seen her hiding and commanded that her powers be returned to everyone she had taken from. Ogboinba, overcome by fear, turned from the face of Woyengi and fled in panic to hide in the eyes of a pregnant woman, Aboyun, she met on the way.
Although she fled from Woyengi’s rage, as long as there are pregnant women on Earth, Ogboinba is present, too. She is traditionally invoked for fertility and for assistance acquiring magical skills and noted as the goddess of second chances.
Reference:
“Ogboinba: An Ijo Creation Myth” by Gabriel Okara, from ‘The Origins of Life and Death: African Creation Myths’
https://woyingi.wordpress.com
Following the Journey of the Hero: Woyingi and Ogboinba.
A Nobel Birth into an Ordinary World
How is the hero's lineage mythically established?
Woyengi is the Great Mother and Creator. She emerged from the Celestial regions where people did not exist, on a bolt of lightning.
Ogboinba is created from the earth.
Separation
The Call to Adventure
What calls the hero to take action?
Ogboinba is asked before she is sent to Earth, what destiny she would like. She is asked what skills she would like. She chooses powers: mystic powers that would have no equal in the world-
The Refusal of the Call
Why is this hero not following his heart fully as the story begins?
When Ogboinba is living out her life, she sees her friend is having children who are successful. She wants that for herself. She decides that that should be her destiny and decides to return to her creator and have her destiny changed.
The Mentor and Supernatural Aid
Who helps guide the hero to begin the quest?
She only relies on her own strength and her bag of charms and medicines.
The Crossing of the First Threshold
Perhaps the first threshold is the first place she encountered: a wide road which led to a large sea. Between her and the sea was a forest, a mangrove forest where lived Isembi, the king of the forest.
Initiation
Helper/Mentor/Follower
Again - after she is created - she only relies on her own strength, though she is searching for Woyingi.
The Road of Challenges and Temptations
She meets with several challenges along the way beginning with the King of the Forest. She is strong and overcomes all and always adds their powers to her own.
Abyss
What is the defeat?
When she reaches Woyingi and faces her in challenge, she is overcome by fear. She flees from the face of Woyingi, and in panic hides in the eyes of a pregnant woman she met on the way.
Revelation - Death and Rebirth
How is the hero reborn?
The story goes “As long as there are pregnant women on Earth, Ogboinba is present, too. She is traditionally invoked for fertility and for assistance acquiring magical skills and noted as the goddess of second chances.”
Return
Atonement
What atonement is made?
Ogboinba is allowed to live - and he helps pregnant women.
The Gift/ Reward
Ogboinba is the goddess of second chances.
And so the hero passed from the ordinary into the extraordinary and back again - home. But in the return, changed, transformed. And, bearing gifts for the community.
Questions
What important aspects of life are highlighted in this story?
Other than entertainment, what purpose could this story have?
How are you like this particular hero?
Blessings
Thank you for joining me today! I hope you have a beautiful day! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Peace for now, and remember, stay CHARMED ~