Woyengi

ORIGIN:

Ijaw (Nigeria)

Woyengi, the Great Mother, is the divine Creatrix of the Ijaw people. She arrived from the celestial regions on a bolt of lightning to an Earth devoid of people. What she found was a sacred seat beneath an Irokò tree (Chlorophora excelsa) and a lot of clay. Woyengi sat on her throne and began to form people. When she had completed their bodies, she breathed life into them and asked each one to choose a destiny. People selected their own genders, professions, ways of life, and manner of death. Whatever they selected became their destiny.

SEE ALSO:

Nu Kua; Ogboinba

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.