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In the wake of the release of Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo: the rise of the sceptre’ there has been different reviews on social media regarding parts of the story and the discrepancies of it all. One that particularly stood out was the casting of Damilola Ogunsi, an albino, as the divine character. In the movie, Ogunsi played the role of the ‘Onibode (the gatekeeper)’ in the epic fantasy series.
The narrative was, ‘Why use a white person as an angel in a Nigerian movie?’ It brings up the debate of colourism in the movie industry. Is this a case of white supremacy and the idealism of using ‘white people’ to depict good divine supreme beings, or is it in accordance with the Yoruba mythology that Kunle Afolayan was depicting? In this case, the ‘angel’ in question is not an angel but the ‘Onibode.’
Who Is The Onibode?
Esu is also known as the ‘Onibode.’ In Yoruba tradition, Onibode is the approver and is also known as the gatekeeper between the spiritual and the physical world. However, Esu is different from Satan or the devil. The divinity in Yoruba theology is the right-hand divinity of Orunmila, messenger of the supreme being, and it’s Esu’s duty to perfect the completion of Orunmila’s desires.
There are no angels in Yoruba mythology, and Albino’s are also not mere people in Yoruba methodology.
Why Using An Albino Is Perfect For The Role?
Among Yoruba’s, Albinos are referred to as ‘Eni Orisa.’ In Yoruba land, any personality with different physical attributes to what is considered ‘normal’ are called ‘Eni Orisa.’ This ranges from people with hunch backs, dwarfs and Albinos. As a result, they are accorded the privileges of Orisa’s.
Coupled with the fact that Damilola Ogunsi, the actor who played the character is a Yoruba man, the basis of the argument is flawed. Should a dark-skinned actor be used for the sole sake of political correctness, or should this be approached based on an actor who is from the tribe in question acting a role that perfectly fits the narrative? Albinos are black regardless of their lack of melanin.
Nigeria, with over two million Person with Albinism (PWA), one of the highest in the world, should they be discriminated against and not be given specific roles because of a rare genetic condition?
Regardless of colonialism, white, since time immemorial and in Yoruba mythology, has been a symbol for Obatala, as the god is represented by white and is associated with calmness, morality, old age, and purity. Whether we choose to go with Yoruba mythology or surface-level depiction, there is no valid reason why Damilola Ogunsi should not have been offered that role.
The post Why It Doesn’t Matter That Damilola Ogunsi Plays Role Of ‘Onibode’ In Anikulapo appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
