2. WHERE DO HUMANS COME FROM?

3. Origin Stories Origin Stories are stories that we humans tell ourselves about where our species, and oftentimes our cultures, originally came from! Origin Stories are stories that we humans tell ourselves about where our species, and oftentimes our cultures, originally came from! The origin story told by Biological Anthropologists is called “Evolution,” the scientifically proven theory that living things change over time and that existing species give rise to new species. The origin story told by Biological Anthropologists is called “Evolution,” the scientifically proven theory that living things change over time and that existing species give rise to new species.

4. Throughout human history, different cultures have told very different stories about where and how their people or “the people” (often referring to their specific culture) originated.

5. YORUBA CULTURE

6. WHO ARE YORUBA PEOPLE? There are over 10 million Yoruba-speaking people in Nigeria and over 10 million Yoruba and Yoruba-descended people who have migrated throughout the world—about There are over 10 million Yoruba-speaking people in Nigeria and over 10 million Yoruba and Yoruba-descended people who have migrated throughout the world—about 25 million Yoruba people in 2006. The term “Yoruba” refers to: 1) a language; 2) an ethnicity; and 3) a culture The term “Yoruba” refers to: 1) a language; 2) an ethnicity; and 3) a culture Millions of Yoruba slaves were captured and held as slaves between 1400-1800 and thus have descendents throughout the Caribbean, South America, and North America. Millions of Yoruba slaves were captured and held as slaves between 1400-1800 and thus have descendents throughout the Caribbean, South America, and North America.

7. YORUBA CREATION STORY ODUDUWA is the legendary creator of the Yoruba. ODUDUWA is the legendary creator of the Yoruba. OLODUMARE is the supreme deity. OLODUMARE is the supreme deity. Before there was life on earth, Olodumare called OBATALA, one of 12 “arch” deities. Before there was life on earth, Olodumare called OBATALA, one of 12 “arch” deities. Bronze Statue of Ooni of Ife in full regalia at Ife Museum

8. OBATALA IMAGES

9. Olodumare decided he wanted to create dry land on the waters of the Earth, Ile Aye Olodumare decided he wanted to create dry land on the waters of the Earth, Ile Aye Olodumare gave Obatala ase (power) to make land: Olodumare gave Obatala ase (power) to make land: 1) snail filled with earth 2) 5-toed chicken 3) palm nuts

10. “How do I make the journey?” “How do I make the journey?” “Gather all the gold in the sky and take it to OGUN.” Ogun forged a gold chain to link the sky with the earth. “Gather all the gold in the sky and take it to OGUN.” Ogun forged a gold chain to link the sky with the earth.

11. Then Ogun flung the chain towards Earth and Obatala began to descend, BUT the last rung was still far from waters of earth! Then Ogun flung the chain towards Earth and Obatala began to descend, BUT the last rung was still far from waters of earth! Obatala removed the snail shell from pouch and sprinkled earth soil on waters. Obatala removed the snail shell from pouch and sprinkled earth soil on waters. He dropped the 5-toed chicken on the land, and it started to scratch and spread the dirt across the surface of the waters. He dropped the 5-toed chicken on the land, and it started to scratch and spread the dirt across the surface of the waters.

12. When Obatala saw firm ground, he dropped a palm nut on the land, which sprouted into a palm tree. When Obatala saw firm ground, he dropped a palm nut on the land, which sprouted into a palm tree. The palm tree grew to reach the last rung of the gold chain, so Obatala climbed into the palm tree. The palm tree grew to reach the last rung of the gold chain, so Obatala climbed into the palm tree. Palm Trees in Abeokuta, NI

13. Then, Obatala started to mold humans from the earth clay, but he became tired and made palm wine from the fruit of the tree and got drunk! So, he accidentally created humans with some abnormalities—like blindness or skin conditions. But he kept drinking until he fell asleep! Then, Obatala started to mold humans from the earth clay, but he became tired and made palm wine from the fruit of the tree and got drunk! So, he accidentally created humans with some abnormalities—like blindness or skin conditions. But he kept drinking until he fell asleep! Olodumare gave the task of finishing Creation to Oduduwa, who told Obatala that it was taboo to drink palm wine again. Obatala then agreed to protect all children and humans born with physical challenges. Olodumare gave the task of finishing Creation to Oduduwa, who told Obatala that it was taboo to drink palm wine again. Obatala then agreed to protect all children and humans born with physical challenges.

14. Oduduwa then went on to finish creating the human species! Oduduwa then went on to finish creating the human species! Or…(another version) When Obatala woke up, he was embarrassed and apologetic. Olodumare forgave him and then gave him the responsibility of molding the physical bodies of human beings. Or…(another version) When Obatala woke up, he was embarrassed and apologetic. Olodumare forgave him and then gave him the responsibility of molding the physical bodies of human beings.

15. Ile-Ife The Cradle of Yoruba Civilization

16. Ile-Ife: A University Town in 2006 Obafemi Awolowo University (“UnIfe”) http://www.oauife.edu.ng/ Obafemi Awolowo University (“UnIfe”) http://www.oauife.edu.ng/ http://www.oauife.edu.ng/ Copyright ©2005 Faculty of Pharmacy Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife.

17. Biological Anthropology Origin Story Evolution: fact, theory, hypothesis = Living things change over time, existing species give rise to new species Evolution: fact, theory, hypothesis = Living things change over time, existing species give rise to new species Humans belong to a single species that exhibits considerable variation in behavior, size, shape, and appearance. Humans belong to a single species that exhibits considerable variation in behavior, size, shape, and appearance.

18. Biological Anthropology Origin Story All humans belong to the species Homo sapiens, a name coined by the 18th century naturalist, Carl Linnaeus. All humans belong to the species Homo sapiens, a name coined by the 18th century naturalist, Carl Linnaeus. Homo sapiens evolved from other species of genus Homo, probably in East Africa. The fossil evidence dates to 130,00 years ago in Ethiopia! Homo sapiens evolved from other species of genus Homo, probably in East Africa. The fossil evidence dates to 130,00 years ago in Ethiopia!

19. Biological Anthropology Origin Story For purposes of classification, Linnaeus placed Homo sapiens with the anatomically similar apes, monkeys, and lemurs into a group that he called Primates. In modern view, the Order Primates contains humans and their nearest nonhuman relatives. Ape: Orangutan Ring-tailed Lemurs Snub-nosed Monkey