The Smith (Master of Fire)

The primordial smith and first ancestor of Ogotemmêli's account: thief of celestial fire, rider of the bursting granary, bringer of smithing and the broken-jointed human body. Distinct from the Nommo and from the slain seventh ancestor.

Parentage

• parent: Nommo

Domains

• fire
• smithcraft

Powers

• Steal a coal of the Sun from the celestial smithy
• Descend to earth on Amma's granary down the rainbow
• Bring fire, smithing and the crafts to humankind

Epithets

• Master of Fire dogonMaster of FireGriaule, Dieu d'eau: entretiens avec Ogotemmêli (Paris, 1948) (secondary)
• the Smith of the first descent dogonthe Smith of the first descentGriaule, Dieu d'eau: entretiens avec Ogotemmêli (Paris, 1948) (secondary)

Relations

• kin: The Eight AncestorsCounted among / the first of the eight primordial ancestors drawn from the Nommo's body.Griaule, Conversations with Ogotemmêli (1965) (secondary)
• enemy: NommoThe Smith instigates the killing of the seventh ancestor (a Nommo), and the Nommo hurl lightning and thunderbolts at him as he flees with the stolen fire.Griaule, Conversations with Ogotemmêli (1965) (secondary)
• sibling: Binou SérouFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Nommo) per the figures' cited genealogy.
• sibling: Dyongou SérouFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Nommo) per the figures' cited genealogy.
• sibling: The Eight AncestorsFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Nommo) per the figures' cited genealogy.

Sources

• existence: Griaule, Dieu d'eau: entretiens avec Ogotemmêli (Paris, 1948) (secondary)
• role: Griaule, Conversations with Ogotemmêli (1965) (secondary)