Long ago, after the Creator had shaped the world, she ceased her work and entrusted the governance of creation to her children, Jigbata and Sogbo. These two brothers, unlike any ordinary mortals, were powerful and destined to rule the world in her stead. Yet they quarreled fiercely.
Sagbata, the elder, decided to leave the sky and descend to the earth. Carrying all his inherited wealth and his mother’s blessings, he set out to establish his dominion among men. Sogbo, the younger but more forceful brother, refused to leave his mother’s side. He remained in her heavenly kingdom and took the name Miyomiyo, or Sogbo, embodying fire and power.
Before their separation, the Creator advised them: “I will not favor one of you over the other in your quarrel. You must remain together, like a closed calabash, and the world shall exist inside you. Sagbata, as the elder, will occupy the lower part; Sogbo, the younger, will occupy the upper.” Yet Sogbo would not leave, and thus the two began their distinct paths.
Sagbata descended slowly, unable to return once he had left. The farther he went, the lower he fell toward the earth. Meanwhile, Sogbo gained the favor of their mother and the gods of the sky, whose confidence he earned through his presence and strength. One day, in anger or as a test of power, Sogbo caused the rains to cease entirely. The rivers dried, and the fields cracked under the relentless sun.
On earth, Sagbata had established himself as king. The people, suffering from drought, pleaded: “King, since your arrival, no rain has fallen. We are starving!” Sagbata replied with hope, “Patience. Soon the rains will come.” Yet days turned into months, months into years, and still no rain fell. Three years passed, and famine gripped the land.
Then, two men descended from the sky into the land of Fe. They traveled across the earth, preaching Fa, the writing of Destiny, a divine method of understanding the world. At that time, only about a thousand people lived upon the earth. News of these visitors reached Sagbata, who summoned them. They spoke the language of the sky, which Sagbata understood instantly, confirming their truthfulness.
Sagbata inquired of them, “Why does the rain not fall?” They confessed they did not know, for their mission was only to teach Fa. What they could determine, however, was that his younger brother, Sogbo, was angered. Using the divining seeds of Fa, they cast the lot, and the first combination revealed the cause: a dispute between two brothers, both desiring the same thing. The Fa advised that the elder should submit to the younger to restore balance and bring the rains back.
Sagbata accepted this wisdom. From the sky came Wututu, carrying the Creator’s message. He told Sogbo, “Your elder brother, though he inherited all your mother’s wealth, has left two things behind, the true power of the universe. With these, you shall govern all: water and fire.”
Recognizing Wututu’s voice, Sogbo instructed his sons to behave and allowed the messenger to come closer. As Wututu approached, Sogbo unleashed a bolt of lightning, confirming his authority. The younger brother then sent Wututu to Sagbata with the divine message: though Sagbata was elder and had inherited all earthly wealth, Sogbo now controlled the true forces of the universe, water and fire.
Before Wututu reached the earth, the rains began, falling in abundance and restoring life to the parched land. Upon his arrival, Sagbata rejoiced and decreed that Wututu must never be harmed. Should anyone accidentally kill him, a grand ceremony would be required to honor the messenger, including the removal of the ceremonial head-pad that marked his sacred duty.
Thus, the brothers reconciled. Each year, the rains fall accompanied by thunder and lightning, a reminder of the reconciliation between Sagbata and Sogbo. On that day, Sogbo gave himself a new, powerful name: Djoto-gedji-gJiez0 Djato-megi-zitete Kurjo-ewe-nobloso, marking his dominion over the forces of fire and water.
Moral of the Story
This tale teaches that wisdom and balance must guide power. Even when conflicts arise, harmony is restored when rightful authority is recognized, and the forces of nature, water and fire, are respected.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are Jigbata and Sogbo?
They are brothers, children of the Creator, entrusted with ruling the world.
2. Why did Sogbo remain in the sky?
He refused to leave his mother and embodied fire, maintaining the heavenly kingdom.
3. What caused the three-year drought on earth?
Sogbo’s anger led him to stop the rains until reconciliation occurred.
4. Who were the two men from Fe, and what did they teach?
They were sky messengers who preached Fa, the divine writing of Destiny.
5. Which two powers did Sogbo inherit to control the universe?
Water and fire, the true forces of nature.
6. What lesson does the story convey?
Authority, wisdom, and reconciliation are essential to balance the natural world and human society.
Source: Beninese Folktale
