PARABLE OF IJAPA and CHILD

PARABLE OF IJAPA and CHILD

ByMoyo Okediji

PARABLE OF IJAPA and CHILD

There is an old Yoruba proverb that says “The child insisting that his mother must not sleep will also not get any sleep.” (Ọmọ tó ní ìyá òun ò ní í sùn kò ní fojú ba oorun).

Women who nurse babies know the challenge of getting enough sleep while a baby is still unable to understand the difference between night and day. The baby keeps waking up to feed, cry, poo and pee.

The mother must attend to all the needs of the baby during the night. Typically, for the mother, therefore, it is a long, wearying night.

The poor mother gets up in the morning having caught almost no sleep, exhausted and drained physically and emotionally.

Yet she must face another day of sleeplessness and ceaseless labor until the baby grows up.

Now think of the story of Ijapa.

a picture showing moyo okediji sitting in front front of his artwork with a laptop in front of him.

PARABLE OF THE BOASTFUL BIRD

ByMoyo Okediji

PARABLE OF THE BOASTFUL BIRD One upon a time, a colorful bird known as Orofo was sad because she did not have even a single child. All the other birds, including Ega, Alapandede, and Eyele had lots of children. Orofo was worried.Sometimes she would lay many eggs, and none of them would hatch. At other times, as she pushed the eggs out of her womb, they would fall from her nest and break.

a picture showing moyo okediji poised for the camera with one is art pieces

THE BIRTH OF RAINBOW

ByMoyo Okediji

THE BIRTH OF RAINBOW

One of my earliest memory is that of both my parents standing me up and inspecting me up in detail. They were worried I was not masculine enough.I was too thin and supple, even for an infant boy.Every evening they made me consume a powdery substance called CASILAN. I have googled Casilan and found that it is a protein used by bodybuilders to build muscles.

a picture showing moyo okediji poised for the camera in a greyish coloured coat and a black turtle neck.

AJÁ AND ÀGÙNTÀN

ByMoyo Okediji

AJÁ AND ÀGÙNTÀN

In the olden days, Aguntan, the sheep, was the most respected animal in the entire Yorubaland.

Aguntan was the embodiment of Iwapele (gentleness of character), suuru (patience) and iforiti (perseverance).

The entire world decided that Agutan was the best fellow to be crowned the king because of his wonderful character.

They made Agutan the king, and the world was happy and prosperous.

THE SWEETNESS OF FREEDOM

THE SWEETNESS OF FREEDOM

ByMoyo Okediji

The Yoruba people comprise of several tribal units, each speaking a different dialect of the Yoruba language.

There is Yoruba literature, which has developed a large body of writings including novels, poetry, critical writing and essays.

Yoruba is studied in universities all over the world, and you may get a Ph.D. in Yoruba studies, one of the very few indigenous languages in Africa in which you get a doctorate.

Yoruba music is rich, with various genres both traditional and modern.

a picture showing moyo okediji sitting with his head hidden between his thighs next to his artwork

HOW MANY IGBO BOYS HAVE WE SHOT THIS MONTH?

ByMoyo Okediji

Can someone help me to translate this into as many Nigerian languages as possible, please?Many of the boys I played soccer with in Ile Ife on bare rough grounds in-between houses, using oranges and rags tied together to form balls, all the way from infancy to age ten, were Igbo kids.In 1965, they told me they were leaving, returning home.“When are you coming back?”“Papa says we are not coming back.”

a picture showing moyo okediji poised for the camera

It saddens me.

ByMoyo Okediji

It saddens me.

It saddens me a lot that the southern people are not able to understand the urgency of the situation they are involved in.

Those you call the Fulani herdsmen, or the Fulani people—they are the Taliban.

Please read the last line again.

Those you call Fulani herdsmen are the Taliban.