Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon
by Wole Talabi
Reviewed by Galen Strickland
Posted May 13, 2024
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Another book I can recommend, and another I will say the minimum about. Wole Talabi's debut novel is an extension of previous work, maybe more than just one story, but one mentioned in the afterword is "I, Shigidi", published online at Abyss & Apex in 2016. I have only read the opening lines from that story but will finish it later, and compare it to Chapter 3 of the novel. Obalufon Alayemore is an historical figure, the Third Ooni of the Ife Empire. He may have been considered a manifestation of Yoruba godhood, the supreme being of which is Olarun. The brass head of Obalufon, at least in this story, is a relic housed in the British Museum in London. Olarun tasks Shigidi with retrieving it.
This book presents the pantheon of Yoruba gods (and a few gods from other religions) in a unique way. They are organized like a corporation, with a Chairman of the Board, CEO, and other officers, along with underlings in different departments. Olarun had actually retired, the current CEO being Shango, the Yoruba god of thunder. Shigidi is a minor nightmare god, whose assignments were usually to torment someone to death through fear of things from their nightmares, all because someone had prayed for their death. Shigidi is not fond of the work, but doesn't see any way out of it…until he meets Nneoma on one of his assignments. He was sent to torment a woman at the behest of her husband, but Nneoma is already there, both women in bed, naked. Nneoma is there of her own accord. She is a succubus. She and Shigidi fight, but she takes pity on him, and convinces him to join her as a freelance spirit, not bound by the whims of the gods.
A story of the gods, but also a story of independent freedom, a defiance of traditions. Nneoma says her real name is Naamah, sister of Lilith. Shigidi's body had been formed from red clay, short and stocky, but malleable enough for Nneoma to reshape into a taller, muscular, stronger, and more attractive person. The story actually begins in media res, with Shigidi and Nneoma fleeing from pursuers, although it is not revealed at that time they have Obalufon's brass head in their possession. It jumps back and forth in time and space (both earthly and mystical space), revealing details sporadically, explaining what they are doing and why. The "current" events of the heist are in July 2017, taking place in real world (and "spirit-side") London. One of the flashbacks shows when Olarun asked them for help, where Nneoma says they will need the help of a human magician. The flashback at that point is to 1909 in Algeria, where Nneoma first encountered a well-known, real-life human occultist: Aleister Crowley.
A fast-paced, exciting story, as well as a love story, although it takes Nneoma a long time to realize she needs Shigidi as much as he needs her. She had repudiated love, or any close relationship, since she feels that is what led to her sister's death in Ethiopia some 3000 years before. If she had not come to the realization she loved Shigidi, he may not have survived what Olarun does to him at the end. But because he did survive, and they both declare their undying love, and because Olarun appears to have need of Shigidi in the future, this might not be the last we see of them. If so, I will read it. If not, I will still seek out more of Talabi's work. You should too.
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