Tradition / Region: Ghana Mythology
Alternative names: Obonto Ta, Obonto Ya
Category: Fish
The Myth
Obonto Ya was a tiny water creature, usually described as a minnow or very small fish. In Akan folklore she became known for deceit, shame, and restless wandering through rivers and streams.
The story tells of an old grandmother whose property mysteriously disappeared. She believed one of the water creatures had stolen it, so all the creatures of the water gathered together to discover the thief. A crab proposed a test: a brass pan would be brought forward, and every creature would cry into it. Whoever could not produce tears would be revealed as the guilty one.
One after another the creatures came forward. The crab cried and filled the pan with tears. The eel cried. The shrimp cried. Every water creature managed to fill the brass pan with tears from their eyes.
At last Obonto Ya stepped forward. But no tears came from her eyes at all. Immediately the other creatures realized she was the thief who had stolen the grandmother’s belongings.
The water creatures became furious because Obonto Ya had disgraced them all. They beat her severely for bringing shame upon the creatures of the water. Afterward, the old grandmother spared her life, but she cursed her forever, declaring that Obonto Ya would endlessly wander through the water and that nobody would ever truly wish to associate with her again.
Because of this curse, people said the tiny fish could always be seen darting nervously and aimlessly through streams and rivers, wandering from place to place without rest.
Sources
Rattray, R. S. (1930). Akan-Ashanti folk-tales. Oxford: Clarendon Press.