Hello, Book Burners!
On this episode of BAB!, I’m joined by Nigerian-born playwright and comedian Ghanniy Oyedele to discuss Part I: “Past into Present” of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s 2012 non-fiction book, Of Africa. During our wide-ranging conversation we explore the cultural significance of Soyinka himself, Nigerian ethnic groups, Nollywood, Desmond Tutu’s concept of ubuntu, the role of the “strongman” in African society, Esu the Yoruba trickster god, the Trans-Saharan vs. the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the fabled city of Timbuktu, the Well of Attenuation, the Tree of Forgetfulness, and more. Here’s a video of the intro:
At one point during the podcast, Ghanniy mentions the orishas who are featured in his plays. These are Yoruba deities, similar in their functions to the gods of the Greeks, the Norse, the Egyptians, et al. Esu is one of these orishas. Sango is another. Here are some more members of the pantheon:
Orishas and other aspects of Yoruba and African mythology and spirituality will be the subject of the next episode, when Ghanniy joins me again to discuss Part II of Of Africa: “Body and Soul.”
Stay tuned!
MW
"A Deeply Craved Age of Universal Understanding - Africa Inspired" - Wole Soyinka's "Of Africa" (Part I: "Past into Present")