OFFA IN YORUBA METAPHYSICS
As a "Peackok" takes pride in the display of its feathers, so the average Offa person takes pride in glorifying the Almighty God for being His benefactor in Offa.
By Taiye Olaniyi
Offa, God's town and the unique Yoruba people in Kwara State of Nigeria.
"Iyeru Okin Olofa Mojo" and "Ijakadi Kata Kiti Ni Oro Offa" are unique lyrics in Offa Oriki (panegyrics) that can and should not be overlooked.
As a "Peacock" takes pride in the display of its feathers, so the average Offa person takes pride in glorifying the Almighty God for being His benefactor in Offa.
"Ijakadi Kata Kiti Ni Oro Offa" connotes more of esoteric meanings than its literal " Wrestling Agility a Rite of Offa" as portrayed in its Oriki or eulogy lyrical lines.
Offa cannot boast of a wrestler like Jonny Kwango or Power Mike, but just its ritual dramatic display of wrestling between the Olofa and his next in command, the Eesa.
In this context, diplomatically, the Eesa is landed in ritual wrestling like Richard Lander, almost parked like Mungo Park.
That context is the unique selling point of diplomacy in mundane wrestles and challenges of life.
A typical and world renowned success story of Offa wrestling agility in reality in history was that of Moremi, an Offa Princess and Heroine, who displayed wrestling agility of her town’s pride to save the entire Yoruba race from incessant onslaught of Ife by the Ugbos of the riverine area of current Ondo State and not of the Eyimbas Eyin of Eastern Nigeria.
Similarly, the average Offa person sees life from its dual nature, but more to combat and wrestle with the difficulties of life and surmount them.
Where there is darkness, current is tapped from the ever-shining Light of the Creator, so in religious practices, Offa don't quarrel but unite in faith.
Where ignorance and crude pagan practices obtain, they wrestle and excel in education and enlightenment.
Therefore, they are generally open-minded and emancipated from mental and personality cultish slavery.
Offa is communal in orientation, and leverages on personal, independent and communal development, whether or not the government supports them.
Friendly in content and context, very cosmopolitan in relationships, thus Offa till date remains such a recess and resort town for even non-indigenes.
Culturally fantastic, naturally endowed.
Offa is both popular and takes pride in its visible achievements, but also gathers storms if it is involved in the story of communal clashes with neighbouring communities.
The Moremi site was once an "eyesore," though in the best location of traditional history, but thanks to its recent befitting monolith as a monument and "Hall of Fame."
Peaceful coexistence, though occasionally faces challenges in politics of neighbourliness and partisanship, personality patronages, yet like a recurring decimal is the thought and admonition that for no reason should Offa family fabrics be allowed torn into shreds.
Be religious or irreligious, Satan to us and for us should remain a liar.
God forbid, and may the God of Light, Life and Love deploy Peace Profound to His children in Offa, those in the diaspora and our beloved neighbours alike all over the world.
" Ti Ogun ba ja wa a ya Omo Ale, Ogun ko ja wa a ya Omo Offa o." If engulfed in war or its skirmishes, we are bastards, but in Peace we are true children of Offa.
Peace Profound
Olaniyi Taiye aka Son of Man
Taiye Olaniyi, a retired postman lives in Lagos