Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)
It’s nice to connect with you all once more. Before I continue Ekundayo’s story I thought
this would be a good time to give you a little background on the awọn àgba, elders. Ayotunde,
Folami and Temitope were sent to Aye,
Earth, to bring together the people of the Ina
and the awọn dudu. Olodumare, the high god, wanted to strengthen
their belief in him. But he also wanted
to develop their respect for one another and unify them as a people.
In order to do this,
they would need leadership and purpose.
The high god believed that the sisters Ayotunde, Folami and Temitope
were the perfect solution. He knew that
such an undertaking could not be done by one individual. The time it would take to reach such a goal
was unknown. And the connection between
the sisters was unbreakable. This bond
would help keep them on the right path.
Olodumare saw the road ahead, and he knew it would not be easy for his
people or the goddesses.
On the night of the harvest moon, the high god called upon the
goddesses. “Arábìnrin,
sisters, I call upon you for a great task.
I am giving you an opportunity to mold and shape what could become a
great civilization. The Ina and the awọn dudu are capable of becoming more together than they ever
will apart. But they need direction and
guidance; a strong belief in their gods and themselves.
“We are humbled by the responsibility
you have bestowed upon us.” said the eldest Ayotunde.
“But what of our duties?” continued Temitope. “What of those who we have led, the ones
whose goals are just within their reach?” whispered Folami. “You have done all you can do for them.”
responded the high god. “Their paths are
set. Not even I can change them.” he smiled.
“For centuries you’ve taken it upon yourselves to give our people a
better future. I now place a new burden
upon your shoulders.”
***
For the first twenty years, the sisters worked diligently to bring
the tribes together. Where there was
war, there was peace. Where there was
hate, bloomed respect. Where there was poverty, grew wealth. Within fifty years, the Ina and awọn dudu
realized how much they could benefit one another. That knowledge brought with
it a greater respect for the Orisa. They
realized through the teaching of the sisters (who were now elders) that their
prosperity could not have occurred if it wasn’t for the high god.
Olodumare was moved by
the acknowledgement he received from his people. Not just for him but for the other Orisa as
well. His people would pass on their knowledge,
teaching their children about the Orisa.
A new cycle had begun, one that would not be easily broken. A strong belief in something they could not
see; recognition of faith.
The sisters had more
than accomplished the goals set before them by the high god. Each wondered why they were still on
Aye. They decided to present their
concerns before the high god. Decades of exposure to their people, to their
emotions, to their life experiences had begun to change the sisters in ways
they did not understand. They
desperately missed their kin and wanted to return to their realm.
One hundred years to
the day, the sisters found themselves before the high god once more.
“Praise Almighty Olodumare!”
bellowed Folami respectfully. She was
no longer the quiet goddess of the past.
“We have more than fulfilled the goal you set before us.” continued Ayotunde.
“Tell us high god, when do we return home?” questioned Temitope. After a moment of silence, the high god
responded, “I’m sorry my sisters, but you will not.”
***
Join me next week! I look forward to sharing more of “Orun” with
you.
***
For all
of you who have been visiting my blog each week, I greatly appreciate it. I hope that you’ll continue to do so. But I would really love to see more of your
comments. Whether it is today’s post or entries in the past. Tell me what you think of the direction I’ve
taken so far or any thoughts or suggestions you may have J
Mari e
laipe!
See you
soon!
S-
