On 5 September 2026, I sat down to write this so that I would not forget a discussion I witnessed earlier in July. At the end, it became a reflection on my own identity. I completely forgot about this until a discussion I had on 19 September 2026 at a party to celebrate one of… Continue reading Living in the Nexus of Several Meaning Systems
Tag: Yoruba
When Fiction Becomes Evidence: Nollywood (Both Christian and Secular) and the Production of Supernatural Belief
Nollywood does not merely reflect beliefs about witches, occult powers, emere, ogbanje, spiritual spouses and demonic manipulation; through repeated representation, it also helps produce, reinforce and legitimise those beliefs. A few years ago, we spent a pleasant evening with some friends, all Nigerians. At some point, the conversation turned to so-called “African power”: the activities… Continue reading When Fiction Becomes Evidence: Nollywood (Both Christian and Secular) and the Production of Supernatural Belief
Nigeria, a Country That Turns on the Axis of Ethnic and Religious Identity
I just read Farooq Kperogi’s latest column on the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman. As always, it’s an engaging read – witty, historically rich and provocative. But I think it also suffers from the very thing it warns against: over-interpretation through the lens of ethnicity. Kperogi argues that Tinubu’s choice of Amupitan,… Continue reading Nigeria, a Country That Turns on the Axis of Ethnic and Religious Identity
JE NG LO GBA TEMI by TAA Ladele and the Girl Child of South Western Nigeria, circa 1971
This short post is about the first page of JE NG LO GBA TEMI by TAA Ladele, a book written in 1971. A work of fiction but I believe fictions always have some basis in reality. JE NG LO GBA TEMI can be translated "Let me have fun", "I want to enjoy this season of… Continue reading JE NG LO GBA TEMI by TAA Ladele and the Girl Child of South Western Nigeria, circa 1971
Rev Jesse Josiah Ransome-Kuti and the Ogboni Fraternity
Recently, I wrote about Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's musical heritage (read here). Rev Jesse Josiah Ransom-Kuti was Fela's grand father: Rev Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti took a very radical and practical approach to his faith, and that approach brought conflict with the Anglican Church. A very good example was when he allowed the "Ogboni Fraternity" to hold a… Continue reading Rev Jesse Josiah Ransome-Kuti and the Ogboni Fraternity
