Chameleon vs. Leviathan

Anyone that knows me knows I hate taking recourse in divination. Nonetheless, every now and then I pull out the shells and get to it, or, even seek out an elder and ask them to let me have it. Talking with the Spirit is never a simple conversation, or it’s way too simple. Either way, there’s always work to follow. Being lazy, I avoid it like the plague.

Today I sat down and had a little conversation. Here’s what came out.

Ogbe’yeku. Light goes to visit Darkness. Progenitor of all combinations, all possibilities. This is the story that’s told:

Agemo, the chameleon, child of the earth, the forest, a creature of the land, a home boy cousin of those of us here in the realm of the senses, princeling of Oshala, the spirit of the light, the reasonable, the moral and patient, lord of what’s lofty, soft, with a genius of gentle determination, was called to go pay tribute to Olokun, to submit to power from beyond.

Olokun, the spirit of the deep, the dark, the watery unknown of the bottom of the oceans, here portrayed as the lord of the foreign, the wealth and control of the colonizer, the exotic and amazing, techie import with all the means of greater force, superior technology and gizmos, commander of international trade agreements, etc. etc., he was determined to rule the whole planet, his dominion would take over everything. What would happen to the forest? To little chameleon and all the people of the land?

Agemo was feeling small and insecure, he feared going to see Olokun and he feared even more Olokun’s agenda of worldwide takeover. Agemo went to his elders versed in the perennial wisdom of gratitude, the mysteries of Igi Ope, Ifa. They told him “Just be yourself.” They told him to offer all his clothes as a sacrifice and to go naked to meet Olokun. They told Agemo to challenge Olokun at the first chance he got. They told Agemo to pack a big lunch, “Hunger is a horrible thing; it can stop you cold.” While this made absolutely no sense to the timid chameleon, he did just as he was told.

Agemo went under the waters to the shadowy stronghold of Olokun. He knocked as hard as he could on the door. Surprised at such rudeness Olokun opened the door. Agemo said, swallowing the lump in his throat, “Olokun, wealthiest and most powerful of spirits, I challenge you to any contest of your choosing.” Olokun, ever vain and loving a chance to show of his power and majesty, said, “OK. A fashion contest. Whatever I wear you must wear something better. You lose, I take all the land of the world as my own. You win, I’ll stay put right were I am, my shores will rest at the border of the beaches.”

Olokun began. He put on one fabulous outfit after another. Miraculously, the chameleon matched his colors, his naked skin a perfect mirror of whatever Olokun could come up with. Each time Olokun put on his wealth, his foreign made clothes, his power and splendor, little Agemo was wearing just the same. Olokun was undone, “How on earth did this poor little reptile top me? I who command the seven seas and all the wealth of they bring?” Olokun declared, “You won the contest, fair and square. Problem is for you, you’ll never make it out of here alive.” Olokun summoned his mafia of sorcerers and sorceresses, all those people in the world who machinate the suffering of others, who hunger after our innards and thirst for our blood. Evildoers who lurk in all places and all times. “Don’t let that nasty lizard out of here.”

Agemo ran in terror. What would he do? His elders said nothing about this; chameleon thought he was doomed. “They’ll eat me alive!”

Agemo suddenly remembered the lunch he was carrying, a calabash filled with mashed roasted yams. He threw it behind him, between him and the gang of sorcerers. Chameleon sang:

Oso ibe e jowo mi

Aje ibe e jowo mi

Bi Igun ba j’ebo a jooegba

Sorcerers around here leave me be

Witches around here leave me be

Just as a vulture eats this food

It leaves the calabash be.

The sorcerers and sorceresses fell upon the food chameleon had thrown at them and fought each other over each little bit of it. Meanwhile, chameleon made his escape.

This is how mighty Olokun, more powerful than the creatures of the land, lost his agenda to take over the world back in those mythic days when we worshipped the trees.

Now, again, the ocean threatens to rise above the beaches and all the sorcerers and sorcerers of the world nibble at our insides. It’s season after season of greed, takeover, eviction, war, forced immigration, persecution, prejudice and murder.

What will happen to little chameleon, gentle child of the forest?

What will happen to the forest? What can the people of the land do to keep the oceans at the shore?

Go naked with nothing but your fear and a homemade lunch.

Go with audacity and challenge. Go adapting yourself at every setback.

Go using whatever they’ve got against them.

Go singing. Go giving evil a free lunch.

Go making your escape. Go making a way out of no way.