iPoet

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter VI

2011-09-25T15:32:00.001-04:00

Chapter VI, The Passing of Ogun. The last chapter to 'Myths of Ife' by John Wyndham. Ogun chooses the way of peace that Aramfe always loved. After the Ubo Wars Ogun is praised for the peace and security of the kingdom by wives and old men, but young Oranyan is praised by the young for his battles and exploits. Oranyan returns from distant wars and demands the crown.

A division among the old and young men occurs, but Ogun can see he is rejected. He remembers when he and Oduwa watched the five clawed bird found the hills of earth, then the vision pales: "the Sun of yesterday climbed up - to shine on a new order... so passed old Ogun from the land." (John Wyndham)

Myths of Ife Chapter VI

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter 5

2011-09-25T15:11:00.003-04:00

Chapter IV, The Ubo Wars. After the war of the Gods King Ogun, the deity of iron, reigns. Ife learns the arts of heaven's peace again and the people multiply until the youth seek new homes and found the city of Ubo. Word reaches Ife that the inhabitants there will not worship Ogun, but King Ogun scoffs and laughs, saying, "Who lights his lamp between the leopard's paws?"

Olubo, King of Ubo, invades Ife and enslaves the men: despair ensues. The gods leave Ife by transforming themselves to stones and rivers, except for Ogun, who stays. Morimi learns the secret of Ubo's warriors, who dress in straw costumes. She tells Oranyan who takes back Ife by burning the Ubo invaders.

Myths of Ife Chapter V

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter 4

2011-09-04T16:33:00.006-04:00

Chapter IV, The Sacrifice of Morimi. Morimi is a key heroine in Ife mythology. She was a person of high stature, and by marrying Obalufon she helped to unite warring factions in the kingdom, resulting in a period of peace, prosperity and artistic achievement under Obalufon's rule. Morimi was unable to give Obalufon a son like his other wives - she had only her daughter Adetoun. She consults with Ifa, the messenger of the Gods, who uses divination with the Okpelle (a divination charm constructed of bark) to determine what she must do to bear a son. The sacrifice of Adetoun is required, causing Morimi to flee in terror of the deed which love commands and love condemns. She seeks a second divination and is told the same thing. In the end Edi, the smooth tongued perverter, convinces her it is required for the good of the nation and Obalufon. The deed is done.

Myths of Ife Chapter IV

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter 3

2011-09-04T14:16:00.004-04:00

In Chapter III, The War of the Gods, Araba tells of the fable of Earth, Water and Forest. The strife betweeen Oduwa and Orisha brings war to Ife and Aramfe tries to stop it, but to no avail. Ogun, the God of Iron, and Obalufon, ask Oduwa to give back the bag to Orisha, but Oduwa refuses and transforms to stone and sinks beneath the soil, taking the bag of knowledge of the ways of mysteries and hidden treasures with him.

Myths of Ife Chapter III

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham Chapter 2

2011-08-14T15:31:00.008-04:00

Chapter II is called 'The Descent.' Araba, the messenger of all the Gods, tells how the Gods arrive at the edge of heaven and peer down to chaos and untamed waters. Oduwa sends Ojumu to pour magic sand upon the sea with the five clawed bird to scatter land upon the Earth. As the land is made the waves threaten to suck it away so Oduduwa sends Olokun and Olossa to rule the seas and guard the coastlands.

The Gods descend to a sunless world of sorrow. Aramfe is moved with compassion and sends fire, the Moon, and the Sun. Ogun teaches iron making and Obalufon makes brass vessels and teaches how to make wine. The drum, dance, and music are played at night and the age of mirth begins under Oduduwa's reign.

Myths of Ife Chapter II

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter I

2011-08-13T14:07:00.009-04:00

In the spring of 2011 The Virginia Museum of Fine Art gave an exhibition of African Art called Dynasty and Divinity Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria. In that exhibit were many terra cotta and brass heads, one in particular of Obalufon II in pure copper, a technical feat because copper is extremely difficult to work with, and an artistic achievement because of the highly stylized, spiritual gaze of the face. Obalufon was a king of Ife who united the kingdom and brought the city state from turmoil to peace and prosperity and elevated its stature for all time. He became a deity after his death. In trying to learn more about him I came across a work of poetry about the myths of creation and man that has been long out of print, 'Myths of Ife' by John Wyndham. This is chapter one of six. The Yoruban Tribe has an oral tradition, so there are different versions of its history. I have tried to be respectful.

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham