Reliving Old Oyo’s glory at Afonja launch

YOU would think you were back in time, in the old Oyo Empire. The attires, hairstyles, meals and drinks were retro in conformity with the theme, ‘Back to Oyo’. There was, among others, eko (cold pap) and palm-wine as the gastronomic needs of guests were catered to at the foyer before the main event started inside the Agip Hall of the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos last Sunday.

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The occasion was the launch of Tunde Leye’s historical novel, ‘Afonja The Rise’, the author’s fascinating retelling of the story of the Aare Ona Kakanfofo who most mainstream accounts blame for the decline of the Oyo Empire.

The TV presenter, Titi Oyinsan, who looked sharp in her female dashiki and matching pencil trouser, anchored the event and did an excellent job. By way of whetting people’s appetite, especially those that had not read the novel which animates history and gives a different perspective on Afonja’s role in the demise of the Oyo Empire, broadcast journalist, Bella Rose Okojie read an excerpt from it.

Spoken word artist, Rez d Poet (Adebola Afolabi) accompanied on the flute by Awoko was up next after her reading. He reiterated the importance of knowing one’s identity in his performance.

Because of the historical nature of ‘Afonja The Rise’, there was also a panel discussion on the book. A lawyer and poet, Oladimeji Ojo, moderated the session which featured renowned cinematographer and producer, Tunde Kelani; a retired Chief History lecturer at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Ajayi and host of Channels Book Club, Kunle Kasumu. The illuminating discussion affirmed the importance of cultural rebirth through proper learning of history and culture.

Responding to moderator’s question seeking to know if slavery was part of Yoruba culture before colonialism, Mrs Ajayi, who is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Ibadan, said yes but that it was different from the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. She explained that: “In an agrarian community, labour was essential, but the household constituted the major source. Men had several wives to have many children to work on the farms. Slaves were part of the labour force, but domestic slavery was different from Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.  The way the Yoruba treated their slaves was different from the Trans-Atlantic Slavery. There’s a consideration that you give to your slave; a slave that has been loyal can become almost part of the household. The Yoruba did not treat slaves like they were during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.”

Asked what made the kingship institution experienced a decline, Kasumu said it was the 1861 annexation of Lagos by the British.  “When the British came, they took over the people; they took over our culture. That’s how the British operated. Once colonialism happened, there was a loss of culture. They used Lagos as leverage to take over the surrounding kingdoms. And once that happened, the structures, the culture all went away. The Trans- Atlantic Slave Trade story is not told enough. Nobody talks about Nigeria. Only a few people realise that 23 per cent of those taken away were from this part of Africa. Some of these structures still exist, but they are not as powerful as they used to be,” he said.

Contributing, Kelani began by commending Leye for a job well done. “As a storyteller, it [book] is cinematic already,” he added before referring to the conference on the Alaafin of Oyo at 80 organised by the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBIU) last year. He recalled how eminent historian, Professor Toyin Falola canvassed for the study of ‘Alaafinology’ and ‘Ifaology’ in universities and other institutions of higher learning as well as Oba Lamidi Adeyemi’s address at the occasion.  The Alaafin told them about separation of powers and checks and balances in old Oyo. significant women in work, noting that they remain powers behind the throne in modern times. “In power politics, women have always been behind the scene manipulating the leaders.”

Mrs Ajayi also confessed her admiration for Leye’s treatment of women and offered her take on where Nigeria got it wrong. To her, the initial removal of history from the curriculum was a grave mistake that would have caused mortal harm had it not been rectified. She made a passionate defence of the subject, its methodology and noted that learning history is not limited to the classroom. “Even if you don’t study history as a course of study, we are learning now. This is what Leye has done for us,” she said.

On lessons, political leaders can learn from our past, and how to get more Nigerians interested in history, Kasumu said it has to be packaged appropriately.  He suggested having young readers version of historical novels like Leye’s as well as cinema and stage adaptations. He further cited the example of Supo Shashore’s ‘Possessed: A History of Law and Justice in the Crown Colony of Lagos (1861-1906)’ which has a young readers version entitled ‘The King and the Colony.’

For Kelani, it is heart-breaking that nothing is being done to preserve heritage sites such as Old Oyo, Osogun, Koso and Bara which now lie in ruins. They would have helped to animate the history of Old Oyo, he said.

The filmmaker further noted that parents, guardians and everybody has a role to play in teaching the young history and culture. “History does not start from the classrooms; it starts from the homes. If you deny your children, the next generation your language and your culture, there won’t be development. No country has developed using a foreign language.”

But the panellists were not the only ones who shared their views on the book. Writer and editor, Molara Wood, who reviewed it, gave illuminating insight into it. She praised its strengths and also drew attention to some infelicities.

AFONJA –The Rise does an admirable job of bringing history to life – our own valid, authentic history in all its colour and passion, its blood and gore, its glory and infamy. No doubt, contemporary readers, many of whom knew all about the fall of Troy but little or nothing about the Oyo Empire, will not be so ignorant after reading this remarkable novel by Tunde Leye. After encountering this novel, young Nigerians will be able to hold conversations about the intricacies of governance in the Oyo Empire, the rituals, the ceremonies and so much more. This is a feat for which the author deserves commendation,” she noted.

The author of ‘Indigo’, a collection of short stories further noted that “the depth of historical research is evident in the sheer volume of information about the Oyo Empire that the author casually walks us through, most effectively through dialogue. Then he does that extra thing Mantell spoke about – he puts the past into process, and lets the drama unfold once more in front of our eyes. In reconstructing the past through the story of Afonja and co-travellers, Leye allows us to see these historical figures as human beings, with their foibles and failings, their strengths and flaws, the beauty and the ugliness, and crucially, their blind spots. If this could happen in their time, it could happen again in our time, if we do not draw the appropriate lessons. Indeed, it could be argued that in the times we are living through currently, many things are happening worldwide concerning which we had lulled ourselves into a false sense of security, thinking it could never happen again.”

To further make the event more pleasurable for guests, a war scene featuring actor Patrick Dibuah as Afonja was staged. Leye later informed that work was ongoing on the stage adaptation, with Ayo Ajayi [of Saro and Waka fame] doing the scoring. There was also a musical performance by Aduke before the evening ended.

Conforming to the theme of reliving Old Oyo, the book was presented in a calabash in a manner reminiscent of asking the Alaafin to commit suicide in ancient time.

Unsurprisingly, it was a highly elated Leye that mounted the stage afterwards to express gratitude to all for making it a memorable outing.