The first time I read "Mine Boy" by Peter Abrahams, it was one of the English Literature texts at high school. My enduring memory was the love triangle between Xuma, Eliza and Maisy. Re-reading as an adult, there are other dimensions to the book that are fascinating. I start this review with an introduction to… Continue reading Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams, Review – Part 1
Author: Tade Oyebode
Obaluaye: Ancestry Is Complicated
Of all the deities of the Yorubas, Obaluaye is the most feared. You probably know him by the name Sonponna, the deity that the Yorubas of old believed can inflict small pox even on the vaccinated. The Yorubas of the South Western part of Nigeria are very accomplished in dramatic arts. Growing up in the… Continue reading Obaluaye: Ancestry Is Complicated
Oluwa Lo Mejo Da (God is the fair and wise judge) – Act 1 Scene 1
This is an old book, written in 1966. The last reprint was in 1971. Admittedly, my copy is very worn and rugged. One of the main characters in the book is depicted on the cover. Please meet "Dr" Raimi Ewedogbon. By the way, he is a native doctor and also a priest of one of… Continue reading Oluwa Lo Mejo Da (God is the fair and wise judge) – Act 1 Scene 1
Eegun Alare (Magician Masquerades) and Yoruba Poetry
When I was growing up, authors of Yoruba novels were very prolific. This novel came to my attention in year 8 as it was our text for Literature in Yoruba language. It was written by Lawuyi Oguniran (navigate the link to his Wikipedia page). As I read the book recently, I was struck again by… Continue reading Eegun Alare (Magician Masquerades) and Yoruba Poetry
A Second Look at Ireke Onibudo: Fagunwa and His Extraordinary Characters.
When it comes to characters, D.O. Fagunwa did not impose any limitation; he allowed his imagination to run riot. This was what made his books fascinating. The title of the first chapter of Ireke Onibudo was "Pipade Awon Abami Eda", translated "An Encounter with Strange, Unusual and Extraordinary Beings". He opted for "Eda" (being, creation,… Continue reading A Second Look at Ireke Onibudo: Fagunwa and His Extraordinary Characters.
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