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In Praise of Artistry
By Professor John Pemberton 3rd
The artistic creativity of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria has flourished since the eleventh century. Whether in the royal court's of Ife and Oyo in smaller towns and villages, the creative powers of the artist-carver, blacksmith, beadworker---were celebrated by people of all social ranks. The nineteenth century itinerant carver from Ojowon is celebrated in praise poetry as one whose power was known even to the trees. When he entered the forest "the apa trees collided with one another in trepidation./The iroko trees collided with the palm trees in great fear," for they wondered "where next Lagboyi would place his head of tools."
Olowe of Ise is remembered as one who carved "hard wood as thoughts he were carving soft calabash." Bamidele of Osi Ilorin is called "a wizard among carvers,/whose axe is like the thunderbolt of Shango." And Taiwo of Ila-Orangun is celebrated as one who "carved the wood, and it was perfect./ The wood had eyes, a mouth, and a perfect chest./It also had a capped penis./...The king then spoke with authority:/Let the appropriate sacrifice be made for orisaand Ore [Taiwo's house]./Future generations shall be known for their carving skills,/And they shall continue to prosper for generations."
