In Praise of Olójòǹgbòdú

Among the most often cited evidence of sexism in Yorùbá society are the following lines from the anthology of divination poems (ẹsẹ ifá), Ìjìnlẹ̀ Ohùn Ẹnu Ifá: Apá Kejì (Glasgow: William Collins, 1969, p. 30) edited by Wande Abimbola.

Obìnrin lèké,

Obìnrin lọ̀dàlẹ̀,

Kéèyàn mọ́ finú han fóbìnrin.

The female is the liar

The female is treacherous

No person should confide in the female

Scholars quote these lines as if they were some oracular pronouncements from a divinity that is in a position to assert self-evident, truly Yorùbá, cultural certainties. This is sheer intellectual bunk and misuse of "evidence."

First, these words were recited by a particular divination priest who performed (perhaps composed) the lines as part of an illustrative story about how to avert death. These are not divine pronouncements from any god or goddess.

Second, the lines refer to one precise individual named Olójòǹgbòdú, the one married to Ikú (Death).

Third, the alleged treachery committed by Olójòǹgbòdú is progressive political work in that she actually reveals the secrets of how to truly escape Death (Ikú).

All hail Olójòǹgbòdú, the conqueror of Ikú!

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