Was it Elesin's fault??????

One critical aspect of this piece that we did not discuss in class was the reaction of the Yoruba tribe once the ritual suicide was not accomplished by Elesin. The reaction could have been easier to comprehend if he decided by his own will that he did not want to complete the ritual. I constantly remind myself not to place judgement on their actions during this scene. Their response was another reminder in the cultural differences between this tribes paradigms and our conditioned way of thinking. Olunde's remark to his father when he realizes he is still alive gave me chills. Olunde says, "I have no father, eater of left overs." Can you imagine speaking to a loved one in that manner over a situation that was not entirely their fault. Which makes me further ponder this situation. Did Elesin have accountability in the failure to complete the ritual?

In scene five he pleads with Iyaloja. He states "I need neither your pity nor the pity of the world. I need your understanding. Even I need understanding. You were present at my defeat." She answers him in parables but later eludes to a statement she made in scene one. When Elesin selected a woman to take into the "bridal chamber" , she cautions him to make sure the seed he leaves attracts no curse. Elesin choice to select a bride for his sexual desire was not a requirement for his transition. Is it possible that in their spiritual realm, the gods werent happy with his choice? If he would have not made this choice and the events occured as they did, would the village still hold him accountable? This question will never be answered. What is certain is the severity, discipline and wieght that honour holds in this culture.


My next thought about this reading was the aspect of christianty used as a tactic by the British. I found myself utterly disgusted by the British disassembling their way of life for their own profit and using christianity as a tool to do it. However, Iam not oblivious to the thoughts that may have ran through my mind if I had knowledge that someone one in the community I was living was planning to kill theirself. What would any of you do? What would be your obligation now that you have (unlawfully) control of their way of life?

As a christian who considers myself more spiritual than religious, I struggle with this type of missionary conversion. I struggle with the racial implications they place on the portrayl of Jesus as the white savior with flowing blonde hair and blue eyes. These images painted that would cause Joseph to make a statement like, " Oh no, master is white man. and good christian. Black man juju can't touch master." For centuries, people have twisted and turned the bible to support whatever theory they want to support. It has been used out of context for all types of negative and corrupt gains. In this miseducation, a main theme is lost. The simple source is love.

Loving your neighbor, doesnt make you come to another continent and steal their land and break down their way of life? Love considers your fellow man in the way you consider yourself.

Love is patient and kind;love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It's not irritable or resentful; It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all thing. So now faith, hope and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4)