Listening to the lecture of Dr. Segun Gbadegesin brought me back to the stories and proverbs my parents would pass down to me from their childhood. Also growing up in Nigeria my parents told me of the times they would sit in the compound and tell stories. Before this lecture i thought nothing of what my parents were telling me, i took them as what they were stories. But being older now and listening to Dr. Gbadegesin I realize they are much more. Its a form of paying homage to those who came before you and learned before you. Dr. Gbadegesin even took the time to do that; pay homage to those who spoke before him, his ancestors, those who wil come after him, the Class of 204, and the list goes on.
The story of Iwa really struck something in me. It reiterated the importance of staying true to myself as well as challenging me to protect the very essence of who I am, to not compromise it for anything or anyone. Iwa was said to be a beautiful woman who was sought after by Orunmila. Orunmila wanted to marry Iwa and she agrred under one condition, that he not drive her crazy. Orunmila agreed. But, Orunmila did not stick to the promise instead he took Iwa for granted and chastised her for evrything that she did. When Iwa decided that she had enough and left him his life began to go down hill, as good fortune left him along with Iwa. In desperation to gain himsrlf and all the blessings tht he previosly had, Orunmila sought out Iwa. When Iwa came back to him his good fortune returned and he was whole again.
Iwa represents one's character and existance. If you loose it and do not protect than you become empty and what is an empty person useful for. Dr. Gbadegesin also said, "Anyone who does not have good character, what they have belongs to someone else." When you sit and truly think about that quote, it is entirely too true. If your not a good person and don't have a good heart eventualy what you have sewn will come back to you tenfold.
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