Àlejò: Yoruba Traditional Mythology and Magical Realism to Explain the Transient Nature of Life
Winning Essay in the Àtìpó Book Review Prize by Adegboyega Oluwaremilekun Adeleye (2nd Place)
Wọlé Ólayinka's Àlejò: Crossing Times is a unique novella that centers on time travel. The author uses the element of magical realism in Yoruba mythology to elucidate the connection between the idea of existence– Alejo(loosely translated as visitor) in life–and the obligation to protect humanity.
The unique narration, with a series of intermittent inclusion of poetic narration, takes us on a historical journey with an indefinite temporal (time) setting that explains the transient nature of life. The central character of the story, Ìlérí Ariyo is unconsciously teleported back in history by Laaroye( Esu, the God of mischief) while walking to her aunt's shop.
Laaroye, the narrator who doubles as the instigator of the story, delineates the brilliant narrative of predestination and twists the plot to deploy Ìlérí for a goodwill mission to save humanity and its existence. Ìlérí switches time and setting with an eight-year-old boy named Bantale and arrives in Olotoso, where a woman she believes to be her long-lost grandmother is said to have appeared years before, never to return.
Consequently, this journey comes with a fierce challenge as Ìlérí wrestles to save herself and fulfill the divine mission. She contends with hostile forces that keep her after crossing times to the past and she is hugely supported by Salako( the defender of rhythm) who plays a huge role in her safety. Ìlérí (champion of the spinner's saga) is ignorant of why Laaroye (the spinner of tales and times) has predestined her to fulfill the divine mission to save the earth in a survival of the fittest.
The game played by the instigator is meant to interrupt Ìlérí's existence but she later discovers that her erstwhile grandmother may have crossed time to the present. She becomes an Alejo(visitor) in an unfamiliar setting and she is treated as such until she faces hostility which culminates in fulfilling her destiny.
Similarly, eight-year-old Bántálẹ́ is transformed into a strange world in a far-off future. Nachi, the link between the past and future is privileged to envision the strange occurrences as he mediates both eras ( past and present) alongside the mystical Ẹlẹ́mì.
The author uses the text to educate readers about the Yoruba tradition and correct the erroneous belief about Esu who is widely depicted in religious and spiritual circles as an archetype of evil. In the text, Esu or Laaroye is depicted as a trickster or mischief maker who pulls the strings and determines the alterations and formalities of existence. Laaroye is the messenger to Eledumare and the deity in charge of destiny. Ìlérí's destiny is instigated by this divine God as she is placed for the divine mission of saving humanity.
Wole Olayinka also creates a link between the past, present, and future and predicts what Laaroye's favorite year "2078" (vi) would seem like as the mischievous God is seen "walking through tenth avenue just by Okada Boulevard, New Lagos." (vi)
The significance of traditional names and their meanings is also evident as Ìlérí, Esubiyi, Elemii, Laaroye, Salako, Iyade, Bantale, Abuke, Aremo, and others symbolise the cultural heritage of Africa and Africanfuturism.
Notably, the beautiful nature of black skin is also celebrated alongside its heritage and wonderful tradition. His black skin is the rave of the moment and standard of beauty…. the artificial skin darkening and glossing therapy(vi).
Alejo: Crossing Times is filled with a plethora of lessons about tradition, cultural roots, and modernity as it explores themes of obligation, fate, destiny, and the transient nature of life through the vehicle of time. It is a brilliant and creative novella and surely a wonderful read.
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Adegboyega Oluwaremilekun Adeleye (22) is a creative writer, essayist, and skilled debater. Quintessential Remmy, as he calls himself, is passionate about creative writing and journalism. He is currently learning and training as a news writer and presenter.
His essay earned him second place in the Àtìpó Book Review Prize.
