Title of the work
Country of the First Edition
Country/countries of popularity
Original Language
Country of the Recording of the Story for the Database
Full Date of the Recording of the Story for the Databasey
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Genre
Myths
Target Audience
Crossover
Cover
We are still trying to obtain permission for posting the original cover.
Author of the Entry:
Divine Che Neba, University of Yaounde 1, nebankiwang@yahoo.com
Peer-reviewer of the Entry:
Daniel A. Nkemleke, University of Yaounde 1, nkemlekedan@yahoo.com
Eleanor A. Dasi, University of Yaounde 1, wandasi5@yahoo.com
Lisa Maurice, Bar-Ilan University, lisa.maurice@biu.ac.il
Pierre Ngijol (Storyteller)
Age of Narrator: 70 (in 2018)
Social status: Traditional priest
Profession: Retired Civil Administrator
Language of narration: Bassa
Bio prepared by Divine Che Neba, University of Yaounde 1, nebankiwang@yahoo.com
Origin/Cultural Background/Dating
Background: This is one of the Bantu ethnic groups in Cameroon, who were displaced by Duala and early European settlers in Cameroon because of their anti-colonialist sentiments. The Bassa played a leading role in the decolonization of Cameroon, but this role was lost after the creation of a postcolonial Cameroon. Most of their heroes, whose names were sung in epic poetry, disappeared (e.g. Njap Makon) or were eliminated by the colonialists. The Bassa people are situated in the Wouri Division of the Littoral Region of Cameroon.
Occasion: Staged performance
Summary
In the beginning, there was a round object and inside this object, were three other objects: a triangle, a stick and another stick with a round end. As a result of violent shocks, this big round object, which was suspended in space, fell and broke releasing its contents. The triangle opened and the stick with the round end, fertilised the triangle, giving birth to a little being.
Diagram of the earth before it fell.
Photo designed by Flavie Ariane Nlend, Research Assistant.
Analysis
This creation myth explains the creation of humanity. Amongst the Bassas of Cameroon and humanity as a whole, it helps demystify the nothingness through which humanity was created as other world myths record. This myth shares the element of chaos which opens the Greek myth of creation of the world. Chaos in the above myth is seen in the violent shock and confusion, which served as a catalyst for the emergence of other objects in the world.
Further Reading
Von Franz, Marie-Louise, Creation myths, Boston: Shambhala,1995.
Sprout, Barbara C., Primal Myths: Creation Myths around the World, San Francisco: Harper Collins,1979.
Luminet, Jean-Pierre, “Creation, Chaos, and Time. From Myth to Modern Cosmology", Cosmology 24 (2016). (accessed: August 21, 2018).
Addenda
Method of data collection: Tape recording and note-taking.
Researcher: Divine Che Neba.
Research Assistant: Flavie Ariane Nlend.
Editors: Daniel A. Nkemleke and Eleanor A. Dasi.
