What is the first section of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion called?

The first section of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion is called Ainulindalë.

Ainulindalë means “Music of the Ainur” and describes the creation of the world through a great musical theme conceived by Eru Ilúvatar. The Ainur, spiritual beings created by Eru, develop and perform parts of the music, while Melkor introduces discord into it.

The section establishes the cosmic framework of Tolkien’s mythology and introduces themes that recur throughout the legendarium, including creation, rebellion and the relationship between divine intention and individual action. It is followed by the Valaquenta, which describes the Valar and Maiar, and then by the central Quenta Silmarillion. Ainulindalë is sometimes mistaken for the name of the entire book, but it is only its opening component.