A very long time ago in Africa God (Ghitema) lived
very near the world of human beings. God was with the people and totally
involved in their affairs — helping them in their work and assisting them in
their daily tasks on earth. The people did not feel the hardships of life. In
order to maintain this harmony human beings were absolutely forbidden to shoot
their arrows into the sky because this would disrupt the whole tranquility of
life.

    One member of the Hunter Clan was very inquisitive about
the sky. He wanted to know whether it is so hard that an arrow could not
penetrate it or whether it is soft as butter. So against the command of God this
hunter shot an arrow into the sky. The sky immediately started to bleed and
moved far up into the atmosphere away from the earth’s surface. God also went
far away.

    From that day on the people started to feel the hardships
of life. There was no link between human beings on earth and their God on high.
Therefore the people introduced the practice of spirits as intermediaries to
present their needs to God. Each spirit had its own special function. Various
sacrifices were offered to God through the spirits in order to attain God’s
favor. So it is until today.