In Oga Obododimma Oha's tale "Oriiwi Nkeni" and its beautiful telling, I am particularly struck by this section :
"As you would imagine, Chukwu had a lot to worry about: too many visits from human beings and beasts. It was becoming unbearable and He did not like it. Every quarrel was brought to Him to settle. Every headache was brought to Him to cure. Every argument was brought to Him to resolve. Even how to pour out palm wine to drink was a matter brought to Him to decide! He did not like it. As you would imagine, Chukwu had a lot to worry about: too many visits from human beings and beasts. It was becoming unbearable and He did not like it. Every quarrel was brought to Him to settle. Every headache was brought to Him to cure. Every argument was brought to Him to resolve. Even how to pour out palm wine to drink was a matter brought to Him to decide! He did not like it."
It is reminiscent of Moses' situation as narrated in Exodus Chapter 18 : 13 – 27 – resolved by the advice given to him by Jethro, his father-in-law.
With regard to this idea : "So, Chukwu had to separate Himself from human beings and beasts, living so far away so that they would not bother to consult Him that often" - I hope that I am not being pedantic or out of place in referencing The History of the Divine Presence in the Judaic tradition or that in nearly all of the world's various religions they petition His Majesty and consult "Him" constantly
Or that with regard to distance, the Holy Book of Islam informs the Faithful what the Muslim mystics are fond of remembering, that " God is closer to you than your jugular vein"
On Monday, 28 May 2018 09:13:31 UTC+2, Obododimma wrote:
"Chukwu the Supreme Being had withdrawn from our world to another
world. Before, it was possible to visit the Maker and hold banter with
Him, even play games with Him! It was such a pleasant thing to have
the Maker around, to visit Him and break kolanut with Him. Wasn't it
how He was able to confirm that Mbe nwa Aniga the tortoise was a very
great invention, a great crafty thinker that could match strategy with
strategy? "
-- Read the full piece by clicking on this link:
http://obododimma-oha.blogspot.com.ng/2018/05/ oriiwi-nkeni.html
--Obododimma
--
--
B.A.,First Class Honours (English & Literary Studies);
M.A., Ph.D. (English Language);
M.Sc. (Legal, Criminological & Security Psychology);
Professor of Cultural Semiotics & Stylistics,
Department of English,
University of Ibadan.
Fellow,
Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies,
University of Ibadan.
COORDINATES:
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Skype: obododimma.oha
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