Bambara/Mali
Dya and Gla, the forces of creation, arose, and two creators emerged, Faro, who formed the sky, and Pemba, who formed the earth. Faro is a female divinity with a male twin, Koni, who lives in her shadow, owing all that he is to his wife, Faro, considered the ultimate wife and mother.
God made the pond where Faro lived overflow, and a great flood was the result. Faro's people, and also animals, went into an ark, which drifted for seven days. Then the rain washed the sky, and Faro, with the blacksmith, began her reign. They emerged from the ark, built the first village, and the first rains made it possible for the seeds that they planted to grow. Plants and trees grew, and Faro brought into existence animals. Under Faro's guidance and influence, people now experienced night and day, the movement of the seasons, the ordering of life. From her own body, Faro created the life-giving Niger River. See also: Mangala, Pemba, Yo.
