The origins of humankind have long been shrouded in mystery, with countless unanswered questions surrounding this enigmatic race. Who was the first human to walk upon the earth's soil? If they were indeed the first, it would mean they had no mother – they weren't born like the rest of us. So, how did they come to be? From where did they originate? What were the events that set the wheels of our existence in motion?
In the pursuit of answers, numerous theories have emerged, each attempting to shed light on the genesis of our species. At the core of these theories lies a single, powerful concept: CREATION.
Science posits that the first humans evolved from an ancient ape-like ancestor, undergoing a series of transformations over millions of years. This progression, as theorized, gave rise to early Hominids, Australopithecus, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Homo Neanderthalensis, and eventually Homo Sapiens. Although the scientific evidence for this evolutionary path is incomplete, many people believe it offers the most plausible explanation for the development of humankind.
In Nigeria, a well-known theory exists within the Yoruba tribe that presents an entirely different perspective. According to their creation story, in the beginning, there was only sky above and an expansive watery realm below. Olorun, the supreme deity, presided over the heavens, while Olokun, the goddess of the sea, governed the vast waters. Obatala, a lesser god, sought to create dry land and populate it with living beings. With Olorun's blessing, he descended from the sky on a golden chain, carrying a snail shell filled with sand, a white hen, a black cat, and a palm nut.
As Obatala poured the sand onto the water, the hen scattered it, forming mountains, hills, and valleys. The palm nut, when planted, grew into a sprawling forest. Finally, Obatala meticulously molded humans from clay. Intoxicated by palm wine, he created a few imperfect figures. Olorun then granted life to all the clay figures, including the flawed ones, appointing Obatala as the defender of the deformed.
Enraged that Obatala had formed land without consulting her, Olokun unleashed a catastrophic flood. The people pleaded for help from Ishu, who appealed to Onila, resulting in a divine intervention that ended the flood. This led to the flourishing of Ife, the land created by Obatala, and the continued reverence for the gods.
Although the veracity of this theory remains unproven, it is deeply ingrained in the belief system of the Yoruba people, who regard it as the truth about the origins of humanity.
In the eastern part of Nigeria, the Igbo tribe has its own unique theory regarding the origins of humankind. The Igbo creation story revolves around Chukwu, the supreme God, who is believed to have created the world and the first humans. According to one version of the tale, Chukwu lowered Eri and his wife Namaku to earth via a rope, where they landed on an anthill in a swampy area.
Concerned about the land's unsuitability, Eri pleaded with Chukwu for assistance. In response, Chukwu dispatched blacksmiths who successfully dried the land with their bellows. To provide sustenance, Chukwu bestowed upon Eri heavenly fish to eat. However, upon Eri's death, his son Nri sought guidance on how to feed the people. Chukwu instructed Nri to make a sacrifice of his first son and daughter, and plant yam seeds in their graves. From these seeds, yams sprouted, offering the community a source of nourishment. This story underscores the significance of Chukwu, agriculture, and the cycle of life and death in Igbo cosmology.
While there is no concrete evidence to validate this theory, the Igbo people steadfastly hold onto their belief that this tale accurately depicts the genesis of mankind.
Alongside the various theories surrounding the origins of humanity, the Abrahamic religious belief theory stands as another account of how humans came to be. Comprising three religions – Judaism, Islam, and Christianity – the Abrahamic belief system offers its own perspective on the creation of humankind.
In the Christian tradition, believers derive their understanding of human origins from the first two chapters of Genesis in the Bible. This narrative is unique in that it identifies the first man by name. The Christian creation story follows God's divine creative acts over a span of six days, culminating in a seventh day of rest. As per this account, God created the universe and all life within it, including humans.
In the beginning, when time was but a whisper in the cosmos, God undertook the divine task of crafting heaven and earth. The earth, at its inception, was a formless expanse, enveloped in an impenetrable darkness that shrouded the depths. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters, an ethereal presence poised to impart life and form to the nascent world.
With a word, God commanded, "Let there be light," and light burst forth, piercing the darkness and illuminating the nascent world. Surveying His creation, God recognized the goodness of light, and He divided it from the darkness. He called the light Day and the darkness Night, and with the birth of time, the first day dawned.
On the second day, God spoke again, decreeing, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, to divide water from water." And so it was. The waters above were separated from the waters below by an expansive firmament, which God named Heaven. As the celestial vault took shape, the evening and the morning birthed the second day.
On the third day, God proclaimed, "Let the waters under heaven be gathered into one place, and let dry land appear." The waters obeyed, receding to reveal the land beneath. God named the dry land Earth and the gathered waters Seas, and He saw that His work was good. He then called forth vegetation, and the earth sprouted with lush grasses, herbs, and fruit-bearing trees. The bounty of the earth brought forth the evening and the morning of the third day.
On the fourth day, God declared, "Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide day from night, to serve as signs for seasons, days, and years." And so it came to pass. The firmament now glittered with the brilliance of celestial bodies, casting their radiance upon the earth. God crafted two great lights – the sun to rule the day and the moon to reign over the night – along with the myriad stars. He positioned them in the heavens to govern the cycles of light and darkness, and He saw that His creation was good. As the heavenly spheres commenced their cosmic dance, the evening and the morning heralded the fourth day.
As the divine work continued to unfold, God commanded the waters to teem with life, birthing an abundance of aquatic creatures and birds to soar in the vast expanse of the heavens. Great whales and innumerable species of marine life came into being, each according to its own kind, while a myriad of winged fowl populated the skies. Surveying the fruits of His labor, God recognized the goodness of His creation and blessed them, charging them to multiply and fill the seas and the earth. With this, the evening and the morning marked the fifth day.
On the sixth day, God called upon the earth to bring forth living creatures of every kind, including cattle, creeping things, and beasts that roamed the land. The earth responded to His decree, and soon it was populated by a diverse array of life forms, each made according to its kind. Once again, God saw that His work was good.
Next, God turned His attention to creating a being in His image, a creature endowed with reason, compassion, and the ability to appreciate and steward the wonders of creation. He envisioned a companion who would reflect the divine attributes, and thus declared, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." And so, God fashioned humankind, both male and female, entrusting them with dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that moved upon the earth.
God blessed the first humans, bidding them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth, and to subdue it with wisdom and care. To provide for their sustenance, He granted them every seed-bearing plant and fruit-yielding tree upon the face of the earth. To every creature, great and small, He gave the green plants for nourishment. As He surveyed the tapestry of life that He had woven, God recognized the inherent goodness of His creation, and His divine satisfaction permeated the cosmos.
With the culmination of His work, the evening and the morning signaled the conclusion of the sixth day. The heavens and the earth stood as a testament to God's creative power, an interconnected web of beauty and complexity. On the seventh day, God rested from His labors, sanctifying the day of respite as a remembrance of His divine activity. Thus, the origin story of humanity, as recounted in the sacred scriptures, offers a vision of the world as a divinely orchestrated symphony of life, with humans playing a unique role in the cosmic drama.
The sacred scriptures paint a vivid picture of the genesis of the cosmos, describing a time when the heavens and the earth were created, and every plant and herb emerged. In the absence of rain and human cultivation, a mist rose from the ground, nurturing the fledgling world. The LORD God then fashioned humankind from the dust of the earth, imbuing the lifeless form with the breath of life, transforming it into a living soul.
While this divine account of human origins holds profound significance for many, not all embrace it as the absolute truth of how mankind came to be. The enigma of our beginnings persists, inviting ongoing exploration and reflection.
As we delve into the mystery of our origins, it is crucial to acknowledge the universal characteristics that define all living organisms. These traits include movement, respiration, nutrition, irritability, growth, excretion, reproduction, and ultimately, death. Life, in its diverse manifestations, is united by these fundamental processes that shape and sustain our existence.
Among the delicate balance of life's processes, the inevitability of death looms large. Though opinions may differ on the origins of humanity, one truth remains widely acknowledged: every living being will one day face death. The fragility of life is keenly felt in our vulnerability to injury, particularly in two critical areas: the head and the heart.
The head, housing the intricate workings of the brain, is a vital point of vulnerability. Beheading or fatal blows to the head, whether by a bullet, stone, or other means, inevitably lead to death. Similarly, the heart serves as the life-sustaining engine, pumping blood to nourish every cell in our bodies. Without a properly functioning heart, life quickly slips away. Fatal wounds to the chest, such as a bullet piercing the heart, crushing blows to the organ, or its sudden cessation of beating, all spell certain doom for those afflicted.
Given the indisputable importance of these two vital organs, it is natural to question how Ekene could have possibly survived having his heart crushed by Ikuku not just once, but twice. This perplexing conundrum invites us to revisit the extraordinary events leading up to this moment, seeking answers that lie hidden in the intricate tapestry of Ekene's story. As we retrace his journey, we may uncover the key to this seemingly impossible feat, delving deeper into the extraordinary realm where myth, mystery, and the divine intersect.
The fateful day marked a profound loss for the people of Amosu Village. The death of their beloved king and the apparent demise of their hero, Ekene, at the hands of the malevolent Ikuku, cast a shadow of despair over the villagers. As they mourned the tragic turn of events, an unexpected glimmer of hope emerged – Ekene, their fallen champion, found himself inexplicably transported to the familiar desert realm where he had trained alongside his enigmatic counterpart, Agu.
Overwhelmed with the weight of his perceived failure and death, Ekene cried out, "Damn it! I failed to keep the people safe! I failed to protect them! Damn it!"
Agu, sensing Ekene's distress, flew towards him, concern etched on his face. "Ekene, what's wrong? Why is your mood like this?" he asked, seeking to understand the source of Ekene's despair.
Ekene muttered, his voice tinged with confusion, "Agu… that's right. If I'm dead, that means you're dead as well because you live inside me. Damn it!"
Agu erupted into a fit of laughter, a cacophony of mirth that only served to further irritate Ekene.
"Who told you that you died?" Agu managed to ask between bouts of laughter.
Ekene's eyes widened, incredulity vying with the weight of his conviction. "Isn't it obvious? When a human's heart is crushed, he or she dies. It's simple. Ikuku crushed my heart. Doesn't that mean I'm dead?"
Agu's laughter grew louder still, the absurdity of Ekene's conclusion fueling his amusement. Frustrated and confused, Ekene snapped, "Why are you laughing? This is a serious matter, and you are laughing!"
Agu, regaining his composure, revealed the astonishing truth, "Ah, sorry. Well, listen up. You're not dead. You're just injured. I've treated your injury, but your recovery process will take 5 days."
Ekene's eyes widened in shock, struggling to comprehend Agu's words. "Wait a second. What do you mean I'm not dead? Ikuku literally crushed my heart like buttered bread!"
Agu patiently explained, "If you die, I will disappear. This desert realm will disappear as well. The fact that neither I nor the desert realm has vanished proves you're still alive."
Confused but intrigued, Ekene pressed on, "So how did I survive even after my heart was crushed?"
Agu, unfazed by Ekene's barrage of questions, continued, "Just before Ikuku pierced your chest, I moved your heart to the other side of your chest, replacing it with a replica of the original one. I made sure the beat of the original heart wasn't audible to prevent Ikuku from noticing, while the fake heart continued to beat endlessly. Therefore, the heart Ikuku crushed was the replica, not your actual heart. You only sustained an injury on your chest due to Ikuku's attack!"
Ekene's mood shifted dramatically as Agu's words sank in. "Wait! You mean I'm not dead?" he asked, a newfound excitement infusing his voice.
Agu smiled, his eyes shining with mirth. "That's right!"
Overwhelmed with relief and joy, Ekene erupted into a raucous celebration. He danced and jumped around the desert, his jubilant laughter echoing through the arid landscape. Agu watched, amused by Ekene's sudden change of demeanor.
"Moments earlier, he was sobbing," Agu mused with a knowing smile.
Ekene, having received a clearer understanding how he survived his battle against Ikuku, paused to address Agu. "So, how do I return?" he inquired, eager to put his newfound knowledge into action.
"You won't return just yet," Agu replied with a hint of mystery. "You will train with me for five days. That's when Ikuku will make his move!"
Ekene's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. "Five days? I can't stay here for that long. I need to return. If I don't, who knows what Adaeze might do?" His concern for the princess and the village was palpable.
Agu, sensing Ekene's unease, teased him gently. "It seems you've chosen to be with the Princess if you're worried about her."
"It's not like that," Ekene snapped, a tinge of embarrassment in his voice.
Agu relented, acknowledging Ekene's feelings. "Fine, I get it." He then sought to reassure his friend. "There is nothing to worry about."
Ekene's brow furrowed, uncertainty etched on his face. "How can you be so sure?"
Agu offered a knowing smile, his wisdom shining through. "Because the princess seeks vengeance. She lost her father and her beloved at the hands of the same enemy. Her thoughts are consumed by the pursuit of justice, leaving no room for anything else – not even the contemplation of self-harm."
Ekene breathed a sigh of relief, the weight of worry momentarily lifted from his shoulders. "I see."
"It's good to see you calm again," Agu teased, attempting to lighten the mood.
Ekene, now refocused and determined, requested, "Please, can we start the training already?"
Agu nodded, his demeanor shifting to that of a mentor. "Very well. You've already mastered the art of flight. The next technique I will teach you is the powerful attack you unleashed during your fight with Ikuku – albeit subconsciously."
"Ah, that technique," Ekene recalled, memories of the intense battle flooding his mind.
"You executed it instinctively, but it was still a formidable attack," Agu noted with a hint of pride.
With their objective clear, Agu and Ekene embarked on five days of rigorous training, preparing for the inevitable confrontation with Ikuku. The days were filled with intense physical and mental challenges, as Ekene honed his skills and refined his control over the devastating technique.
Ekene found himself transported back to the present day. But now, armed with newfound knowledge and power, Ekene refused to let injustice prevail.
Teaming up with Princess Adaeze, the pair navigated the treacherous landscape, deftly avoiding the moving pillars of flame. As they raced onward, Ekene absorbed the information shared by Adaeze, piecing together the events that had transpired during his absence.
Finally, with a firm grasp on the situation, Ekene announced, "This is where we will split! Go and assist Cynthia. I will take care of Ikuku and save Samuel."
Adaeze, her eyes blazing with resolve, replied, "Right!"
The two parted ways, each embarking on a critical path. Adaeze charged toward Cynthia, her heart set on offering aid and support. Meanwhile, Ekene took flight, soaring toward the epicenter of chaos – the looming battle between Samuel and Ikuku.