THE RADIANCE OF THE KING

"Letter from South Africa" is Omoseye Bolaji's regular weekly column published in the Nigerian newspaper, True National News. The column comes out every Monday. True National News is circulated all over Nigeria on a weekly basis.


January 25 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa (Column)

With Omoseye Bolaji

The radiance of the King

History is replete with the awe inspiring "omnipotence" of kings, throughout not only Africa but all over the world; till date the powerful monarchs and aristocrats still exist in so many regions of the world.

These monarchs often had frightening powers traditionally. Think about Herod of the Bible, for example, who had more or less powers of a king; and the demise of John the Baptist. Whilst we are told that Herod was unhappy to do it, he still had John's head (after decapitation) on a platter in order to please a lovely damsel!

In Africa, ancestral kings had such awesome powers that it is frightening to think about. There was pomp, there was ceremony, splendour, and riveting routines whenever the king was in court. The importance of the king and a glimpse of his powers can be seen from this excerpt from Ola Rotimi's classic Ovonramwen Nogbaisi where the king himself says:

"Let the land know this: Ovonramwen Nogbaisi is henceforth set to rule as king after the manner of his fathers before him...no matter how long and stout the human neck, on top of it must sit a head. Henceforth, a full moon's my glow - dominant, and un-open to rivalry throughout the empire"

Of course in England, the Royalty is still very powerful despite the conventions of modern parliaments and Prime ministers. The Queen still commands a great deal of respect world wide and the dignity associated with the throne still exists. Even as far as the oriental world, royalty survives globally.

Hence when Barack Obama the American president of America visited Japan late last year and bowed in front of the Emperor, back at home in America many were incensed. For many black Africans they would consider Obama's gesture as a kindly, broad minded one; showing respect for traditional leaders as only we authentic Africans can!

In Nigeria, kings and chiefs held sway over their empires and peoples for centuries before the white man came - and the good thing is that many of them still exist - and flourish; combining western orientation and awareness with ancestral practices. Of course historians remind us that even when the country (Nigeria) was colonised the British used the “Indirect rule” system of government wherefore the kings and traditional leaders were utilised whilst governing the sprawling territories; the facile "Dual Mandate" system being operated. In theory at least!

In South Africa, the most obvious monarchy system is of course the Zulu kingdom which still commands lots of following with ancestral practises, rites, traditions still being performed. The nearby kingdom of Swaziland is very much a monarchy too, no matter how eurocentric observers might criticise the extent of such powers ten years into the new millennium!

It is quite remarkable that despite the fact that we are in the new Millennium, the awe and prestige associated with the aristocracy still lingers on, in countries like South Africa and Nigeria. Certainly I was dumb founded with the resounding pomp and pageantry of the King of Ibadanland, Oba Odulana Odugade in August 2008 when I had the great honour of being conferred with a Chieftaincy title by His majesty.

It was just like one would imagine the scenario to be a couple of centuries ago in the king’s courtyard – with an ambience of exceeding festivity and gaiety; the king’s special drummers swinging into action in proficient fashion with the famous “talking drums” complemented with fulsome praise recitations; the gunshots punctuating the elaborate ceremonies; the army of proliferating people hanging on every word from the King, aristocrats and chiefs; and for good measure there was a fair sprinkling of pontifical rain too!

Perhaps some readers, upon seeing the title of my Column here - The radiance of the king - were seduced into thinking about Camara Laye's novel The Radiance of the King (Le Regard du Roi in its original French) which largely celebrates the fantastic elegance and pomp of an African king, with everybody trying to please him; including the very humble carver who spends such a long time working on churning out a special axe to please the king.

Yet my own opinion is that the author (Laye) somewhat undermines the overpowering effect and aura of the king in his book by presenting the king as rather weak, young and almost by association effeminate.

It is much easier to imagine a Morena (King) as imposing both in size and aura. Then we can associate him with "Kabiyesi" - as the Yorubas say - he who must be obeyed unambiguously, with transcendental reverence!