ORUN - THE ELDERS

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-

 

ORUN

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

AMACHI’S HOPE: STATUS UPDATE:

For those of you who have been following my journey, you should know that the critique group is going very well. If you haven’t already realized it, a second or third set of eyes on your work can really open the door to new ideas or suggestions that you may not have thought of yourself.  I know it can be nerve-wracking at first but it is well worth it! I’ll keep you posted J

ORUN

When last we spoke, I was working towards outlining certain parts of a new idea that bloomed from my visit to the Red Leaf Territories (Canada to be specific).  Orun which means “sunlight” in Yoruba is the name I decided on for this story.  I have not given my characters names yet, as I’m sure there will be more.  But some of them have already asked that I give them a voice. J

***

The tribe known as awọn dudu, (The Dark), were preparing to meet with their elders to celebrate their once happy past and remember what it was like to be a part of the Light.  One of the tribe members, (let us call him Ekundayo, which means “sorrow becomes joy” in Yoruba), is frustrated that he is being forced to share in a time that has never been a part of his memory.  He was born under a cold, unyielding sky and that is all he has ever known.

The elders are the only ones who have ever seen this thing they call the sun.  According to them it gives light and heat.  And even though we can’t see it, it exists! ‘I'm supposed to put faith in and believe in the existence of something that I cannot even see?!’ But the children of our tribe, including my own, believe that there is a sun above the clouds.

It is said that the elders are special.  That they have power but it has been weakened since the light was taken away.  It is said that they are of the Orisa.  But the gods have not communicated with them since the destruction of the path etched into Mount Ase.  But each year when we gather to remember the past, the children say that they can see shapes in the smoke that comes from a mystical fire that’s conjured specifically on this night.  

We gather around a great tree.  It is one of the few things I know of that has been around longer than I have.  It stands proudly in the middle of our village and grows high above the clouds that blocks out the light and heat that I’m expected to believe in.  I envy this tree as it lives above all of this.  It is able to exist in the dark and in the light. 

 

The elders (let us call them, Ayotunde (joy has returned), Folami (respect and honor me) and Temitope (enough to give thanks)) await us as we approach the tree. In the dark, they seem to glow.  I shake my head and rub my eyes. I am more tired than I realize and my eyes are playing tricks on me. The children rush ahead and dive into their arms.  The elders are well loved by them.  And even though it is said that they are hundreds of years old, they look younger than me.  Their skin is as dark as the sky that surrounds us and as smooth as lake water undisturbed.

“Children! We are so happy to see you!” yelled Ayotunde.

“And you as well!” Folami bellowed as she hugged and shook hands with most members of the tribe.

Temitope moved from person to person, asking about their health and wellbeing.  The elders lived near us but it still took many footsteps to reach their home. It is located at the foot of the mountain. 

Everyone sat in a semicircle around the tree; the children at the front and the adults behind them.  Folami raised her hand and silence descended upon our group. “As you well know,” she started. “We ask you here at the beginning of every summer solstice,” continued Ayotunde. “To share in the story of what has been, what is and what will be.”

I looked around.  Had no one noticed the way they finished one another’s thoughts? It made me uncomfortable and I couldn’t understand why.  When they spoke, it felt like they spoke to me alone.  Their dark eyes were piercing, intense even.  And their voices stayed with me, stayed within my head, long after their words were uttered.

“For hundreds of years, our people were a prosperous one. We flourished in every way possible,” said Ayotunde as she walked among our group. “Knowledge, Trade, Health, Family and Love; we had it all. We grew boastful, we grew unappreciative,” continued Folami.  “We forgot our beliefs, put aside our traditions, and angered the High God by not acknowledging all that he had done for us,” whispered Temitope. 

“Finally the Orisa had enough.  They decided to take away the one thing we did not truly appreciate until it was gone. Sunlight.” said Folami.  “I watched,” continued Ayotunde, “as dark, stormy clouds rolled in from the valley.” Temitope went on. “I heard a thundering roll.” Ekundayo jumped.  He too could hear the rolling thunder.

“I thought a storm was coming in with the clouds and then I realized that the sound I heard was coming from the mountain.  Lightning struck the giant rock, over and over again until the path between two tribes was no more.”

“Time passed and the dark clouds never returned from whence they came.” whispered Folami.

Before my eyes, I watched as images of our story took shape.  Even though my children shared their experience with me, I was still frightened by what I saw.  I watched as images of our past appeared before me. We were a strong, vibrant and happy people.  I saw images of bountiful crops and animals I have never seen before.  But most importantly, I saw a bright, round shape.  The light it gave off was blinding.  I could hear the children gasp with pleasure and the adults yell out with a combination of fear and wonder. I could even feel the warmth from that yellow shape upon my face.  I could feel its energy deep within my body and I knew that I wanted to experience such a thing every day.  We all did. I wanted to really see the sun.

***

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 with this story so far or any thoughts or suggestions you may have J 

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

 

S-