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The Serpent Spirit in West African Story of Creation
The world was created by Nana-Buluku, the one god, who is neither male nor female. In time, Nana-Buluku gave birth to twins, Mawu and Lisa, and it is they who shaped the world and control it still, with their fourteen children, the Vodou, or lesser gods.
In the beginning, before Mawu had any children, the Rainbow Serpent, Da already existed--created to serve Nana-Buluku. The creator was carried everywhere in Da's mouth. Rivers, mountains, and valleys twine and curve because that is how the Rainbow Serpent Da moves. Wherever they stopped for the night, mountains arose, formed from the serpent's dung. That is why if you dig down deep into a mountain, you find riches.
Now, when Nana-Buluku had finished creating, it was obvious that the earth just couldn't carry everything--all the mountains, trees, peoples,and animals. So, to keep the earth from capsizing, the creator asked Da to coil beneath it to cushion it--like the pads the African women and girls wear on their heads when they are carrying a heavy load.
Because Da cannot stand heat, the creator made the ocean for the serpent to live in. And there Da has remained since the begining of time, with his tail in his mouth. Even though the water keeps Da cool, he sometimes shifts around trying to get comfortable, and that's what causes earthquakes.
Nana-Buluku tasked the red monkeys who live beneath the sea to keep Da fed, and they spend their time forging the iron bars that are the serpent's food. But sooner or later the monkey's supply of iron is bound to run out, and then Da will have nothing to eat. Famished with hunger, he will start to chew on his own tail, and then his writhings and convulsions will be so terrible that the whole earth will tilt, overburdened as it is with people and things. The earth will slip into the sea, and that will be that!
Historical Background of the Snake
Before we elaborate further on the history of the snake/serpent tradition as it is understood and practiced in West African religion, it is first important to note that the snake (serpent spirit) has been a symbol of wisdom, eternity healing, mystery, magical power, and holiness throughout most of the ancient non-western world. Its symbol is used today in medicine and other healing professions, and its live descendants are hailed as sacred and used in everything from cancer drugs to sex potions. The snake is also known by many names throughout the world. For example, in India it is known as "Naga." [1]The word Naga is rooted in Sanskrit and means Serpent. In the East Indian pantheon, it is connected with the Serpent Spirit and the Dragon Spirit. It has an equivalency to the Burmese Nats, or god-serpents. In the Esoteric Tradition, it is synonymous for Adepts or Initiates. In India and Egypt, and even in Central and South America, the Naga stands for one who is wise.
The Serpent's reputation for positive medicinal and/or life-preserving qualities have also contributed to the honors of the Serpent as STILL seen by the employment of the Caduceus. To this very day, the Hindus are taught that the end of every Universal Manifestation (Kalpa) all things are re-absorbed into Deity and the the interval between "creations." He reposes upon the Serpant Sesha (Duration) who is called Ananta, or, Endlessness.
