AP Origin Story Project

For this project we were to make an origin story for something original whether it be an object, relationship, or even our own universe while also making some art pieces to represent some aspects of what we wrote. We've been learning about different kinds of literary devices and how to utilize them in our writing. This story will be a representation of what we learned and how well we understand it. I have chosen to create  my own original society because I always felt that I did better when making things flow and just to see where the story takes itself rather then following a set of guidelines. I took very heavy inspiration from the Egyptians and incorporated my narrative into the history of our Earth to make it seem a bit more plausible if it was a real story. The Ani people are a community with connections to the Earth and gods like no other, with the characteristics and abilities of a multitude of different wild animals. Here I will tell their story and just the reason behind why they obtained such strange powers.

The Story of the Ani

The city of Baoma, my birth place and the home I've known for as long as I can remember. The word Ba meaning “energy”, reminiscent of the power gifted to our people all those years ago like a single spirit looming inside us all. 

As the citizens tend to their lives in a timely fashion, like a jack rabbit escaping the clutches of it’s hunter, I see those in a hurried daze jumping, sprinting, anything they can do to make sure they’re on time, and I think “what a world we march on”. I was so confused as a child, never quite comprehending how the small details of our society worked up until a couple years ago, but I would see these people walking through the canopy of buildings doing stunts that I thought would never be possible for a human to achieve, and then I learnt about him.

One night, before going to bed, I asked my mother, “Mama why do our people act the way we do?” and in her usual hushful tone she replied “Well, let me think. . .” 

It started in the beginning like most things. Our people have started migrating across the world to find a place to call their own. Starving and clinging to life on their way through a forest, on the edge of a large plain, they came across an old traveler whose face was covered by cloth. The leader of our small community stopped to ask if this land had been claimed and in response in a low, almost mighty voice he stated, “You have traveled day and night to find a region of your own, you have lost many, but still you drag on. Go my children this land is now belonging to the Ani, you deserve this.” He flung his cloak showing his boney finger pointing to the valley under the cliff side that was as if the hangover of land was protecting the ground below like a mother. While skeptical, the people set up camp knowing that their journey had come to a close. That night while they slept something happened, something that would shape the way that they would go on with their lives for the rest of time. 

Overnight they morphed, shaped, and were sculpted into the beings we know today. Some grew varieties of different ears, some grew feathers, some tails. All to congratulate them of their travels all while dreaming of the man; now without the cloak and revealing himself to be none other than Geb: God of Earth. He said no other words but “You deserve this” spoken like a strong lion, giving each inhabitant their own animal that would guide them through life.

The morning came and the people were all but appalled, thankful, and scared all conjoined into one absolute indescribable emotion. The citizens then came to a consensus. They would settle on that valley and name it after the great Geb’s power that was gifted to all of the Ani people and a statue built as it’s lonesome landmark, carved of black stone from the cliff wondrously bejeweled with gold accents representing his generosity and grace, a giant daily reminding us of our story. Eventually turning into the old centerpiece at the back of the city where a spring of water flows from beneath the statue's feet like a flow of memories from times long past.

 As my mother tucked me in that night, I lay down rubbing my fingers over the start of two horns that were growing in at the front of my temples feeling finally at peace with who I was. A new understanding of my home welcoming itself into my mind like an old friend.

Picture representation of a spirit guide and Baoma's Geb statue: