Wọnu: You mean running up credit and all that.

“Yes.” I responded. “Why get into unnecessary debt because it is the season.”

Ọlaọmọ: My motto is gifts don’t have to be expensive. It’s the thought that counts.

Wọnu: I just like the fact that children get gifts. I used to long for a Christmas gift every year.

“I know the feeling.” I replied. “Christmas gifts are always special. By the way, do enroll Ọlaade for the toy giveaway. Don’t forget to fill the form you were given.”

Ọlaọmọ: The owner sure loves children. She’s sending a gift to all children that come into her store between December 1 and December 24. She’s blessed.

“It’s her own way of sharing the love of Christ.”  I mentioned.

Wọnu’s cell phone went off and after chatting for a few minutes she announced that Ade and Patrick would soon be at the restaurant.

“I’m so glad I’ll finally get to meet Patrick.” I stated. “I want to see this man that stole Ọlaọmọ’s heart.”

Ọlaọmọ: He did not steal my heart, I gave him the key.

Wọnu and I did a high five.

Ọlaọmọ: Sweet Jesus thank You! It’s the key.

Wọnu: This is about Ariel isn’t it?

Ọlaọmọ: Yes. I finally remember. It’s the key he wants. She reached out and read the note again and shook her head. “I owe him an apology. I’d forgotten! I have his key. But it’s in Nigeria . My! My! My! Let me see if I can get someone to get it across to him. Unfortunately, Bode just left for Lagos . He would have been a perfect help.

Wọnu: So it’s a mere key. Let him have his key. At least that will stop all these unnecessary interactions.

Ọlaọmọ: Yes it will. Thank God for His mercies. It had really escaped my mind.

“Derbrah, Ọlaọmọ! Bawoni? (How are things?)” We both turned to see Adekunbi walking towards us.

“Hi Kunbi.” I responded. “Ku aseye ọjọ kini (congratulations on your last celebration).”

Ọlaọmọ: Kunbi sowa (how are you?)? Şo binu simi? (I hope you are not upset with me.) Wa şọpọ ọdun laye lagbara Kristi (You will enjoy more years by the power of Christ).

Kunbi: Mi o binu (I was not upset). You were well represented. Ẹşe (Thank you – plural form). Ẹ ku anọwọsi, Ẹ ku idide (thanks for expressing your love in a gift, thanks for finding time to attend).

Kunbi left us for another table.

Wọnu: You know, sometimes I wonder why we Yorubas are called Yorubas. We should be called “Ẹkus”. Most, if not all of our greetings start with Ẹku.

Ọlaọmọ: Yorubas are also known as the Aku people. I think that’s where it came from.

“I prefer Yooba to Yoruba.” I stated. “Yooba is simpler.”

Wọnu: You know some believe it came from yio-ru-ẹbọ (will offer sacrifices)

Ọlaọmọ: I read that it’s a form of ọyọ-ọba (king of Ọyọ)

“I heard it was Tẹriba (show respect).” I said. “Yorubas generally are big on respect. I heard that Tẹriba was mispronounced as Yariba which later became Yoruba.”

Wọnu: It’s saddening that oral history was the main form of records in those days. It leaves more room for ambiguity. Written records would have been more accurate.

“There were written records.” I stated. “I think the writing in those days was called Ajami or something like that.”

Wọnu: Isn’t that just for members of a particular religious group?

Ọlaọmọ: Not really. Anyone could learn it. However, Bishop Crowther and others helped to create the alphabets we now use today.

“Some call our alphabets Roman-English.” I replied.

Wọnu: As long as we understand each other, what does it matter where the alphabets come from? It has helped history to be more accessible. At least I can look up any topic I want in English or Yoruba and understand, instead of listening to the long tale of an oldie.

Ọlaọmọ: The fact that you can read does not make it accurate. Many still write what they want. Some of the inaccurate oral information just got recorded that’s all. That said, I still thank God for Christianity. It helped us to study the bible. As a little girl, I used to read the bible. It’s one of the reasons I am a missionary today.

“The other day,” I began. “I wondered if I ever had time to be a non-Christian. I got saved as a little girl, just before I started elementary school. My elementary school was Christian so I was taught about Christ. I was officially baptized as a teenager. I’m raising my sons the way I was raised. I told myself, like mother like son. I think that subconsciously, because I was informed about God and Jesus Christ very early in life, I never had a need to try other faiths/religion. Lately, I’ve been wondering whether that was part of the reason why I am a minister.”

Wọnu: I don’t think that has anything to do with it. God called you for Himself. That’s that.

Ọlaọmọ: Well, not exactly. God calls us, but our training prepares us for His calling. I’m sure there was some influence.

Wọnu: So why did I live such an unChristian life while growing up?

Ọlaọmọ: You were just a rascal that’s all. Both of them laughed.

Wọnu: Well I am a rascal that God had mercy on. And He still entrusted me with His gospel.

“I just thought it was interesting.” I responded. “I sang hymns in English language at the school assembly and sang Yoruba songs at home. I received an education in English language but went to a Yoruba church on Sunday. It was as if I was growing in two different worlds at the same time.”

Wọnu: You’re right there. They were two worlds. In Sunday school, we would hear about Jesus, then our uncles and aunts would tell us about Yoruba religion and the different ọrisas.

Ọlaọmọ: I used to be scared of those stories. There was always something bad happening.

“Even though some of them were scary, I used to like the movies.” I stated. “Especially the ones written by one particular man. He knew how to captivate the minds of children.”

Wọnu: Those were subtle exposure to witchcraft.

“Oh yes.” I replied. “Those memories of witches swimming in a well of blood or flying like birds used to make me afraid as a little girl. I would scream Jesus from my sleep during a nightmare. Studying God’s word helped me to understand the authority in the name and the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Ọlaọmọ: Christianity truly empowered us! God showed us in His word how to test the spirits. At the name of Jesus, every knee bows.

Wọnu: Many Nigerians try to pass off Christianity as British influence. Let’s even assume it is, so what?

Ọlaọmọ: Well Christianity did bring British influence and western education system with it. But it also helped us to separate the godly aspects of our culture from the ungodly aspects. Through literacy and the western-based education system, we were able to rely not just on what our parents told us orally, but to access their wisdom on black and white.

“I must confess.” I stated. “I preferred some aspects of western culture to African culture when I was a teenager. The main influence for me was music. Western music allowed me to express myself more freely.

Wọnu: You are not the only one. Mine still continues today. The only Yoruba music I listen to is praise and worship. Anything else is vulgar.

Ọlaọmọ: Some Yoruba secular music is still okay, especially the ones that talk about good morals. Yoruba culture is full of wisdom. Take the proverbs for example. They are inspiring.

“Our ancestors sure had some wisdom.” I responded. “Yoruba proverbs are so deep.”

Wọnu: Some of those proverbs are insulting to women.

Ọlaọmọ: Yes, they are. Women are compared to second class citizens, animals, even inanimate things.

“Why do you sound disgusted?” I asked. “Men are also compared to animals and inanimate things.”

Wọnu: That’s true too.

Ọlaọmọ: Every people, culture and ethnic group has godliness and modesty and ungodliness and indecency. We are no different.

Wọnu: As a people I see us with a chauvinistic culture and I blame our mothers for allowing our fathers to abuse them so much.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I stated. “Our mothers must have believed that God wanted them to be abused and their reward was in heaven, and they had no power over their destiny and so on and so forth. That’s the reason they gave me.

Ọlaọmọ: It’s misinformation about God. When Christianity came to our society, true knowledge of God came. Social justice increased. Women became enlightened. We as new generation Yoruba Christian Women have to ensure that we teach our children and friends who they are in Christ.

Wọnu: You know, there’s just no faith like Christianity. Everywhere Christianity goes, at least two things arrive with it, literacy and women empowerment.

“You got that right sister.” I commented. Christianity is synonymous with light.”

Ọlaọmọ: You’ve left out the most important witnesses, they are health and wealth.

“Hmm,” I responded. “preach sister.”

Ọlaọmọ: Christianity doesn’t just affect the spirit positively, it makes the body, healthy and the soul, wealthy.

Wọnu: So that’s why Apostle John prayed that prayer in 3 John 2.

Ọlaọmọ: I don’t know if that’s why. However, I can safely say that there’s no one that receives the lordship of Jesus Christ that is not blessed physically and materially.

“Thank you my sister.” I stated. “Christ did come to give us life and life more abundantly.”

Wọnu: So why are so many Christians sick, poor and ugly?

Ọlaọmọ: Misinformation or no information at all. Many Christians don’t know their rights and responsibilities.

Wọnu: Is it that they don’t know or they don’t want to know?

“For some it’s rebellion.” I responded. “Some know their right and responsibilities. They refuse to take advantage of them.”

Wọnu: The reason they do not take advantage of them is because they do not want to take advantage of them. Didn’t God speak expressly in His word that we should all study to show ourselves approved unto Him? It’s not up to God. If we’re not studying, it’s our fault.

Ọlaọmọ: You forget that people need appropriate tools to study. The bible must be translated correctly, the teachers must be called, trained and ordained, the word must be presented line upon line and precept upon precept.

“I agree with you.” I responded. “I went through most of my Christian early days struggling to understand doctrinal issues. There were so many Christian camps. Many answers contradicted each other. It took me twenty years to find proper answers to basic questions. It shouldn’t have taken so long. I call it spiritual abuse.”

Wọnu: I thank God for His grace. He directed me to the right place as soon as I got saved. I didn’t have to unlearn and dispute religious lies like both of you did. I got saved, got filled with the spirit, learnt faith, holiness, prosperity, healing and ministry and started enjoying abundant life.

Derbrah writes courtesy of Agape for All Ministries. Author retains copyright.

Jadesọla’s restaurant is a drama ministry of the Yoruba Christian Women (YCW), an international faith-based non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Similarity of names and stories are coincidental. Feel free to copy for non-commercial use. Commercial use requires permission. For more information on YCW write Jesutoyin Ajikẹ-King (toyinking@yahoo.com).

Robot  # 1 | 02.01.2008 23:57

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