African FolktalesCreation Myths

The Sky Moves Higher

How human greed and a wooden pestle pushed the sky out of reach forever.

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Illustration for The Sky Moves Higher - a creation myths African Folktales story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Explore the African folktale The Sky Moves Higher, a creation myth about why the sky retreated from Earth due to human wastefulness and a woman's long pestle.

In the beginning, the sky was so close to the earth that people could touch it. No one had to farm or hunt; whenever they were hungry, they simply tore off a piece of the sky to eat. It tasted like delicious stew or sweet fruit. The Sky God, Nyame, had only one rule: 'Do not take more than you can eat, for I will not be wasted.' For a long time, the people were grateful. But eventually, they grew careless. One afternoon, a woman was pounding grain with a long wooden pestle. Each time she lifted the heavy pole, it bumped against the soft clouds. 'Move up!' she grumbled, annoyed by the low ceiling. She then took a massive piece of the sky, far more than she could finish, and threw the remains into a rubbish heap. Offended by her wastefulness and the constant thumping of her pestle, the sky began to drift upward. The people cried out in regret, but the sky kept moving until it was far out of reach. From that day on, the people had to toil in the fields to survive.

The Moral

Greed and wastefulness lead to the loss of divine blessings, and we must respect the resources provided to us.

“Do not take more than you can eat, for I will not be wasted.”

Fun Fact

This story is an aetiological myth, a type of tale meant to explain natural phenomena or human conditions—in this case, why humans must farm for food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Sky Moves Higher?

The story teaches that selfishness and wastefulness have consequences. It reminds us to be grateful for what we have and to respect the natural and divine world.

Why did the sky move away from the earth?

The sky moved away because humans became wasteful and repeatedly struck it with their pestles while pounding grain. This lack of respect and care caused the Sky God to retreat out of reach.

Which culture does this story come from?

This is a popular West African folktale, most notably attributed to the Ashanti people of Ghana. It serves as a myth to explain why the world requires hard labor today.

What did the sky taste like in the legend?

In the myth, the sky was edible and tasted like delicious stew, sweet honey, or rich fruit. It provided all the nourishment humans needed without any labor.

Who is the main deity in The Sky Moves Higher?

The deity is often identified as Nyame, the Sky God in Akan mythology. He represents the provider who eventually distances himself due to human behavior.

Is there a similar story in other cultures?

Yes, many cultures have 'distanced sky' myths. Similar stories appear in Southeast Asian and other African traditions, often citing human noise or clumsiness as the cause.