Olapa,
goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In many known cultures, goddesses are often linked with literal or metaphorical pregnancy or imagined feminine roles associated with how women and girls are perceived or expected to behave. This includes themes of s ...
of the
moon, is married to Enkai (
Ngai),
god of the
sun in
Maasai mythology
The Maasai mythology or Maasai religion are the traditional beliefs of the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania. In Maasai culture, nature and its elements are important facets of their religion. Ngai (also called ''Engai'' or ''Enkai'') is the and ...
.
Mythology
The two fought one day, and Olapa, being a short tempered woman, inflicted Enkai with a wound. To hide his shame, he took to shining very brightly, so that no one could look straight at him. In revenge, Enkai hit Olapa back and struck out one of her eyes. This can be seen today, when the moon is full.
Name
The word for moon and
month (''olapa'') carries the masculine gender form 'ol' in the prefix.
External links
* Naomi Kipury: ''Oral Literature of the Maasai'' (1983: East African Educational Publishers Ltd., PO Box 45314 Nairobi, Kenya)
The myth of the sun and the moon
{{Africa-myth-stub
Lunar goddesses
Religion in Kenya
Maasai deities