This is a substantial scholarly accomplishment as well as a beautiful and moving collection of myths and stories.
The Afro-Diasporic religions, largely influenced by the stories of the Yoruba, the main nation whose people were kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Americas (and to a lesser extent the Arab countries), have grown beyond the bounds of the diaspora to become a world religious movement with a hundred million adherents. This is an evolving oral tradition, traditions really, and this intriguing collection does not pose as a definitive scripture. It is the first collection with this number of myths, geographic spread (from Yoruba lands, Brazil, and Cuba), and variety.
The two authors are brothers and Yoruba scholars, well-grounded in the language, stories and traditions of the Yoruba. Both are also university professors, teaching in Canada and the United States. Their intention here is to introduce one of the great mythologies to a wider public.
They translate and lovingly retell the stories in clear regular English (although some key terms remain untranslated) with profound scholarship, linking the myth with the Ifa divination system central to working with the orishas. There are no ritual scripts, or folk magic recipes here, but numerous sacred stories of the orisha.
I was amused to be introduced to the Yoruba trickster figure Ijapa, the tortoise. I must also compliment the nice design and pretty full-colour illustrations by Yoruba artist Data Uruwari, many full-paged. Brand new book, officially publishing October this year.
A very good reference for those, like me, interested in learning about the Afro-diasporic mythology and broadening out our stores of sacred stories.
~ review by Samuel Wagar
Authors: Ayodeji Ogunnaike, Olodamini Ogunnaike
Black Dog and Leventhal, 2026
612 pg. Hardbound £31 / $57 Can / $45 US
