Visitors

Port Nambunis stopped feeling like home before Lokun and his family moved here. I was always dreaming of when I would finish school, move away, and travel the world. Then Lokun and his mysterious family changed all that. At least for a while.Nambunis is known for its nightlife and beach parties. "This must have been what Shunbunmi was talking about when she said she wanted to party," I thought to myself. "I'm going to have to ask my uncle for permission to attend Alani's party though. You know how these old people are," Zaynab said."Well, I don't have to ask for anybody's permission. I guess this is one of those times I have no problem with having a father who is never around," I replied"Here you go, talking crazy again. You know I'm always here for you.""Yes of course I know," I smiled and hugged her for a moment then let go."Well, I guess I'll see you at the party.""What if Papa Fatomi does not give you permission to come?"

"The Yemoja (fish people) has always been a vital part of the Yoruba belief system. The Yoruba's believe that there are worlds within our world and the underwater realm of the Yemoja is just one of them. What you would call myths and superstitions are indeed stories lost in time.Most African languages had no written form, so our ancestors passed down their knowledge, wisdom, and documentation of their experiences through oral tradition. The people of this town have always had contact with the water people and they have always lived among us," Baba Fatomi explained."But how can you be so sure, Baba," I asked.?"If a youngling possesses more new clothes than the aged, he or she can't possess more rags than the aged. I am a chief priest of Orunmila the god of wisdom, you don't think I know what I speak of?"You wouldn't be here asking me about the Yemoja if you haven't had a glimpse of reality, child." "I told you, it's for a school project," Zaynab inte

Shunbunmi was surprisingly a good company. We stayed up chatting through the whole night. The boys didn't sleep either. The loud sound of music mixed with occasional laughter and oud chattering continued through the nightAt first, I thought Mr. Omishore would complain, but no complaint came. He didn't sleep though, he kept going to check up on Zaynab and the other girl. Whenever I heard his footsteps I stopped speaking and Shubun laughed at me."You have nothing to be afraid of in this house. Every one of us would die to protect you, you're family now," she whispered."So...how does that work? I really have to ask you what you mean by that. What does it mean for someone to be claimed?" I asked.My question was met with a peal of loud laughter. "You like Lokun, don't you?" She asked me, still laughing."Well, I like him but I am not sure I am comfortable with belonging to anybody.""Don't you humans have a tradition of joining two souls t

I dreamt of getting away from this damn town for so long, I dreamt of seeing the world, but another fate awaited me. Becoming the Yeye Osun meant I would have to spend the rest of my days in this town I hated so much. I hated the idea even more. But then it wasn't until I realized how important my role as the Yeye would be, not until I realized who the enemy was and what they were capable of did I choose to accept this fate that awaited me.After two months of pleading, meetings, and convincing. My father reluctantly agreed with the council that I had to become the Yeye. I got sick shortly after crashing the council meeting at the Omishore's, and it was getting worse. I was taken to the hospital but "it wasn't something we could touch," the doctors said. It was then that I realized the level of control that the council had over the things that went on in the town, the doctors at the hospital already knew about me, they knew what was wrong and they knew they mustn't do anythin