An unforgiving god

I stood outside the house starring at nothing in particular with my hands akimbo.
There I was happily rocking my short-cropped hair and wondering if today will be the day I pass a comb through it or just do my usual finger brushing thingny after my morning shower when this young lady began inching towards me.
I had prepared my mind to think of the simplest and shortest possible route to give to her as I assumed that she was in need of directions – why else would a normal and sane looking person be going out of her way to approach someone gazing at noting in particular so early in the morning?
(when in a bank, I prepare to share my pen, give the date or help a little old lady fill her bank teller, when wearing ‘hundred’ inch heels I prepare to break a possible fall as a result of my erm... no idea and when walking alone after 9pm on an eerie road I set my legs to flight mode. Any strange entity come too close to me, I make like Usain St. Leo Bolt and…!!).

The young lady touched me ever so gently and questioned in a slow whisper “ sister, na your husband follow you go abi na your boyfriend?” I gasped and tried to prevent my jaw from dropping to the floor. Now that was one question I did not foresee.

After a brief exchange with me answering her questions and giving my candid advice, I bid her farewell and watched as she scurried out and away from my line of vision.
The young lady was from either kalabari kingdom, akwaibom or somewhere in the riverine parts of the south – south of Nigeria (I wasn't paying too much attention to what she said but remember saying "so you sabi swim wella abi?").
It turns out she has been nursing a craving to have her full head of unadulterated virgin hair cut but was not permitted to do so.
When she spotted me, she saw a kindred spirit and decided to share her plight.

In her village, a woman was only allowed to cut her hair if she was in mourning.
To do otherwise, she would need to tender either a husband or a boyfriend who will accompany her to the venue and proceed to tell the barber, cutter or hair stylist that he was aware of her said intentions, was in approval and had granted his permission. Or else, someone will face the consequence!

Isn’t tradition wonderful?!

Reflecting on this brought another possibly unrelated incidence to mind.

Sometime in the past, Uselu market in Benin City, Edo state experienced a fire accident.
During the commotion, there were a whole lot of looting, plundering and general misdemeanors.
In anger, one of the affected people, an African traditional worshiper cried to her god (small letter g) and placed a curse on peoples were in possession of stolen goods.
Immediately word of her deeds got around, people started returning goods, even goods not stolen from Uselu market!
The returned items amounted to a huge pile.
The pile was there for a long time as the real owners were afraid of accidentally taking an item that was not theirs and in the process end up with a raptured belly, rotten feet and something to do with the tongue (can’t recall the details of the curse again, it really was a while back).
I can’t remember what happened at the end of 'the day' or how the pile varnished but I know I was in awe for a very long time.
Maybe I still am, who knows?

‘Officially’ in Nigeria today, there are more Christians and Muslims than traditional worshippers and native doctors (juju priests) but there is less honesty, justice and fair play.
It is not only disturbing but unsettling as the holy books describe traditional worship as devilish and wicked yet most of these 'evil people' show more respect for human life, reward for labor and the laws of their land.
Are these robbers, extorters, murderers and kidnappers not either Christians or Muslims?
I hate to ask this, but I am quite confused so I'd ask anyway.
Our darling chairmen, senators, governors and leaders of the land. You who are responsible for the Progress, Safety, Security and Life of the citizens of this great nation?
Where lies your faith?

Yours or Mine?

We have Èṣù, Heremes and Loki. Thor, Sàngó, Amadioha and Odin. Oya, Oshun, Oba and finally Ogun, Hephaestus and Visvakarma.
Members of each group have something in common, can you guess?
Before answering, how many of the aforementioned names do you recognize?
If you answered all but one, I’d be impressed!!




It would have been perfect as Sàngó, Thor and Amadioha but it being that Odin and Sàngó share the tradition of hanging from a tree for a greater purpose and being vivid patrons of the arts. The list had to be extended to include him.
While Èṣù and Heremes have the messenger of the god’s thing going for them, it is Èṣù and Loki that really interest me as tricksters and spirits of chaos.







Oya, Oshun and Oba are female deities and wives of Sango while Ogun, Hephaestus and Visvakarma are
warriors

and masters of craft/creativity.

It is quite curious to know that Walt Disney, Paramount pictures and Warner Bros to name a few can with the assistance of creative writers take a cultural icon (like say Zeus) and turn him into a million dollar franchise.
In the process they not only line their pockets but also ensure that said characters remain in history for a long time to come.

Does “preservation of culture” come to mind?

Nigeria is divided into 6 geopolitical regions, each of these have their unique culture and traditions.
Of the 6 geopolitical regions, the south-west, south-south and south-east appear to have the most deities, myths and legends.
I remember some of the stories I heard growing up.
Of brave men and women who went against the odds to perform great feats in the name of their villages, clans or for the sake of lovers.
My mission is to recover as many of these that are still living and bring them home to where they would be loved, cherished and enjoyed.
Here is one:

Sango also known as “Oba Koso” is the ancestor of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. He is believed to be the “god of thunder” hurling thunder stones to earth, killing those who offend him or setting their houses on fire. History has it that he is the son of Yemoja, the mother goddess and protector of birth.
His symbol is a double-headed axe, which represents swift and balanced justice. He is the owner of the sacred batá drums.

Sango had three wives: Oba, Oshun and Oya.

Oba was Sango’s first and legitimate wife but was scorned by Sango after falling for a jealous trick played on her by Oshun his second wife. In agony she ran out crying, fell to the ground and turned into a river, which is still being worshipped till date. Oba became the patron of matrimony and is believed to destroy marriages in which there is abuse of either partner.

Oshun (or Osun) her likeness is usually depicted as a tall and beautiful woman. She wears a mirror on her belt. Thanks to her superb cooking, she was the favorite wife of Sango. According to beliefs, she was the only female “Irunmole” amongst the original 16 sent from the spirit realm to create the world as such, she is revered as “Yeye” the great mother.

Oya the third wife of Sango whom he made his queen was a crafty woman. She is believed to be the spirit of change, transition, and the chaos that often brings it about. She is seen in aspects as the warrior-spirit of the wind, lightning, fertility, fire, and magic. She creates hurricanes and tornadoes, and guards the underworld.

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