In Yorùbá mythology, Odùduwà was the son of Olorun, sent by him from heaven to create the earth. Descending from the heavens via a chain let down to Ile Ife, Odùduwà brought with him a cock, some soil and a calabash. After throwing the soil upon the waters, the cock then scratched on it to create the rest of dry land that would become the Earth's surface. Odùduwà subsequently became the first Ooni of Ife, and then sent his sons out to rule over all of the other Yorùbá kingdoms, which is why all royal Yorùbá lineages claim direct descent from Odùduwà and defer to the Ooni of Ife as primus inter pares.
According to Yoruba legend, Ife is where the founding deities Odudua and Obatala began the creation of the world, as directed by the paramount deity Olodumare.
Obatala created the first humans out of clay, while Odudua became the first divine king of the Yoruba.
The Oni (King) of Ife, claims descent from the god Odudua, and is therefore counted first among the Yoruba kings.
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