Chronicles of Ori An African Epic by Harmonia Rosales
Introduction The Foundations of the Narrative The Chronicles of ORI is a linear epic that weaves together West African mythology, folklore, and historical events through the perspective of the Orishas. The author, Harmonia Rosales, foundations the work on the Afro-Cuban proverb, “Cada cabeza es un mundo” or “Every mind is a world,” reflecting the idea that each individual carries a distinct universe shaped by their unique experiences. The narrative aims to connect ancient folklore with the history of forced African migration to the West, offering an alternative history that prioritizes the resilience found in the building of spiritual and physical empires. The story is primarily narrated by Orisha Oya, who invites the reader to walk through the rise, fall, and persistence of her kind. Book I: Creation The Birth of the Universe and Earth In the beginning, there was an endless void of darkness until a self-birthed primordial force emerged, initiating cosmic cycles of light and birth. This being reincarnated as Olodumare, a divine force in constant motion that collected the remnants of deceased planets in his belly the “seeds of life”. Journeying to the edge of creation, he encountered Odua, a being of pure hydrogen and transcendent luminosity. Their …