Reviews | Mythical West Africa

By Ayodeji Azeem Ayinde

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Thousands of years ago, there was nothing but darkness and the atmosphere. For many years, it remained so. Both elements were intangible yet real. They existed but were non-existent. Their presence was so prominent that, after several years, they grew consciousness.

The atmosphere consisted of all kinds of substances. It was so rich in substance that it could create anything from itself. The darkness could expand and mold some of the atmosphere's creations. Together, they created the universe, the world, and its people. The atmosphere became known as Olodumare, and the darkness, Okunkun.

But Okunkun imposed himself on all the creations. They depended on him and his minions, the darklings, to see and to survive. Okunkun was powerful and invaluable. He felt superior to Olodumare. For many years, it remained so. It mattered not that the people were drowning in sorrow, as long as they depended on Okunkun for every move they made.

Olodumare despised Okunkun's desire for control so much that he forged eyes for himself and opened them to the universe and the world he created. The right eye of Olodumare was so bright that it dispelled Okunkun far beyond the reach of his creations. His left eye was dim; it could not dispel Okunkun completely, but it weakened what was left of him, so the people stood a chance against him. His right eye became known as the sun, while his left eye became the moon.

The world was saved from the rule of Okunkun. The eyes of Olodumare reached everywhere but one space: a vast land to the west remained covered in darkness. Its people were made naturally inclined to the darkness by Okunkun, so Olodumare could not dispel his grip on the land, and their skin color became accustomed to the darkness.

Within the vast land, there were three individuals who sensed each other in the darkness. They cared for one another amidst the harsh conditions. Their kindness and love in dark times were so phenomenal that Olodumare had a direct link to them. He gave them his eyes. The three men became so powerful that they dispelled and fought off Okunkun and his darklings with the eyes of Olodumare. But they were not strong enough to loosen Okunkun’s grip on the land. So they ventured to three opposite locations in the dark lands: one to the north, the others to the east and west. When they reached their destinations, they each built a shrine to worship Olodumare.

As they worshipped Olodumare, his eyes penetrated the darkness and dispersed it from the vast lands in the west. But Okunkun was an immortal entity, a major part of the fabric of life. He could not be annihilated. Before he was completely dispersed, he attached himself to every creature and thing as a mark of his existence, becoming the shadows attached to our bodies and everything the eyes of Olodumare touched—shadows that carried his vices of hate, greed, envy, lust, wrath, and pride.

The rule of Okunkun was over. His darklings dispersed and went into hiding. The three friends were idolized as vessels of Olodumare, and they protected the shrines they created. They dwelled in their chosen locations and became the founding fathers of the three great tribes in the Westlands: Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. Their descendants inherited the essence of Olodumare and grew with divine strength. To this day, they protect their regions as the eyes of the Forebearers keep the three shrines fueled with worship for Olodumare, keeping the Westlands out of the hands of Okunkun.

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