The origin of death

- Death first appeared during Uga Chi (the second world age). Earth-dwellers, who could still see and speak with Chukwu face-to-face, sent two messengers: the dog (fast) carrying the petition "the dead should wake again," and the chameleon (slow) carrying "the dead should not wake."

- The dog stopped to feast on fresh palm oil; the chameleon arrived first. By the law of Okwu Mbu (the First Word — God grants the first word that reaches Him), death became permanent.

- Consolations God sent back with the dog: Oku (fire) to replace lost solar-energy feats; a host of spirits and intermediaries to keep communication open; and partial waking from death via reincarnation — Uwa m asaa, Uwa m asato (seven or eight cycles per plane) — unless one earns damnation by falling into Ikelekwum Mmuo.