Thank you Ochani Lele for telling this legendary tale! Ochosi Feeds Olófin: Ochosi was known among all the Orisha for his formidable skills at the hunt, and every time he went out to track game he brought back many animals; however, the carcasses were always drained of blood, a fact that aroused the curiosity of Ochosi’s wife. She was a suspicious woman who refused to believe that her husband alone could kill the many animals it took to feed not only their own family, but all the orishas; so distrusting was she that the woman could not believe her husband was just a wonderful provider. She thought that he was up to something, perhaps even treason, when he went away for days on the hunt. One day her curiosity got the best of her and she followed him in secret. So intent was Ochosi on his work that he did not realize he was being followed. After a successful kill, Ochosi made his way to a large tree where he laid out the animal supine as if for an offering. Doing this, he prostrated himself on the ground before the mighty tree and began to sing the ancient sacrificial songs. His wife, more curious than ever, watched in hiding, refusing to bow her body to the ground. Olófin arrived promptly to receive the offering for it was to he that Ochosi had sung; but before he took the animal’s blood, he looked angrily at Ochosi and demanded, “Who is it that you have allowed to follow you to this sacred place?” Ochosi dared not look up, and trembling on the ground before the mighty one, he said, “Father, I was unaware that I was followed. I know not of what you speak. But if you will give me your permission, I will take care of the one who has defiled this sacred place.” Olófin gave his permission, and Ochosi stood up, still not daring to look at the mighty Olófin before him. Instead, he gazed up into the brilliant sky; loading his crossbow he chanted, “Arrow of justice, strike down the person who has dared to offend Olófin in his sacred temple. Take their life as payment!” With these words he let his arrow fly, and before his wife had a chance to cry out that it was she and she was sorry for the offense, the arrow plunged deep into her heart. She fell dead at the spot, and Ochosi was filled with sadness.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:52:33 +0000
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