Ọmọlẹ́wà
“Omolewa is gone!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with dread. She fell to the ground with a loud cry, breaking the deafening silence.
The wind howled in the midst of the trees, as if to mock her, to say she hadn’t done enough. Her husband joined her on the floor, holding her as the sounds of their cries echoed together.
The world had never truly offered Oluronbi solace or intimacy. She had been a wanderer all her life, voyaging from village to village, in search of a place to call home. At last, fate guided her steps to Okiti, and there, she met the love of her life. In Aremu, she found redamancy. He adored her, and she, in turn, loved him just as fiercely. After they got married, Oluronbi was unable to conceive. Soon, it was revealed that all the women in the village were barren.
The spirit of the Iroko Oluwere tree was a cautionary tale. It was only to be approached in desperation, for whatever it granted required a price in return. It had not always been like this.
Alake had a life. She had a name, a family, and Jide. He was her soulmate. For three months, he lay sick on his deathbed, moments away from his last breath.
Alake went to the great spirits, begging for their help to save Jide’s life. Yet, they dismissed her pleas. Asiribo, a scorned spirit who had been exiled from the realm of the spirits, noticed Alake begging for their help. He called her, explaining that he could help her, but it would cost her dearly. Jide would be saved, but Alake would have to give up her human entity forever, banished to remain as a spirit in the Iroko tree. Out of desperation, Alake agreed. Unknown to her, Asiribo wasn’t going to grant her wish. Instead, he would exchange her soul for his, setting himself free. Jide remained dead.
Alake was broken. She had been robbed of both her life and love. She resolved that she would always take back what belonged to her, regardless. And so, when villagers came to the spirit requesting various things, they were warned. “All that I give demands something in return.” The villagers happily obliged, keeping to their promises.
A crowd of women approached the Iroko tree. They explained that a great tragedy had struck their village, causing them all to suffer from barrenness. They had come to request for children. The spirit gave them the warning, and one by one, they stated what they would give back in return. Oluronbi fell before the Iroko tree and, with tears in her eyes, promised her first child in return.
Nine months later, her daughter came into the world. As Oluronbi held her tiny, crying bundle, she wept too, for she knew her child was not hers to keep. She was the most beautiful thing she had ever laid her eyes upon. Her skin glowed, soft and fair as fresh palm oil, and so she named her Aponbepore.
Oluronbi looked into her baby’s deep brown eyes with an ineffable love, calling her Omolewa in endearment. “Nothing matters, except you, my child,” she resolved. She would search the heavens and the earth for anything that could replace her only child’s life.
Day by day, Oluronbi went to the Iroko tree, pleading for mercy. She took various gifts in exchange for her child, but the spirit would not be moved. “You promised me your first child, and that is what you must give me in return,” the spirit roared.
Oluronbi couldn’t give up her child. She grabbed the baby and ran swiftly in escape.
The spirit was getting impatient. And so, it set out to take what it was owed. As Oluronbi was still running, the spirit grabbed the baby, turning her into a bird.
A promise made became a debt unpaid, and Oluronbi had been the one to bear the cost.
Author’s Note
The story of Oluronbi and the Iroko tree (Oluronbi ati Igi Iroko) is a popular Yoruba folktale. Among the Yoruba people of South-Western Nigeria, this story has been passed down for generations. According to oral history, a childless woman, after being granted a child by the spirit of an Iroko tree, refuses to make good on her promise. It reflects the saying, “a promise made is a promise kept.” Overall, the story teaches about applying wisdom while making promises. It also explores themes like the consequences of actions and unforgiveness.