This term is normally associated with African diaspora traditions such as Yoruba spirituality like Santeria. A pitaki is a story which conveys the mythology of a spirit in these traditions. For example a pitaki might speak of Olodumare (a supreme god) giving Eshu Elegbara (or Elegua) keys to past and future to convey this spirits power to travel to other times.
The Orisha’s get their powers
Once upon a time… All Orisha had no special powers and lived on earth as equals. They would each petition Olorun through his son Orunmila. One day Oko felt he should have special knowledge so the others could come to him and not bother Orunmila. The other Orisha heard this and requested powers and knowledge as well.
Orunmila went on a journey pondering how to divide the powers and spoke to Agamo the Chameleon. The Chameleon suggested he send out messengers to all the Orisha and tell them a day when he would throw down the powers from heaven. None would be able to say he neglected them since they would all be informed.
Orunmila did this and since some were not as fast as others they weren’t able to catch or fetch the greatest powers, but everyone got some sort of power.
This shows that Orunmila and the transcendental forces he represents are generous and attempt to be fair. It also demonstrates the respect Yoruba people have for animals and the wisdom held by them.
Ilé-Ifè and the division of peoples
This story is based in the first human city, known as Ile-Ife and it is about what happened there. All human being lived there. Everyone was the same and equal. They all had equal possessions. Noone was better than anyone else. One human demanded of Orunmila that they be allowed to be different.
Olorun knew that difference between people would lead to strife. He sent Eshu to explain this to people, but they would not listen. They continued to demand differences between them.
Olorun sent Eshu to hand out differences between some people in the market place and “Quel surprise!” Chaos erupted!
Women said why are men treating us badly and acting superior to us? Chaos and war ensued dividing the single city into many nations … (sounds a bit like the story of the tower of Babel doesn’t it?).