Chapter 2 A MENTAL MAP

A meteor shower rained down on earth as it had done thousands of years ago. Back then, the council of primordial beings wished to wipe out the dinosaurs, this time their intention, was to reduce the human population. Giant balls of earth and fire pounded the soft wet earth. On the appointed day, the screaming sounds of humans, the melody of bones breaking, the smell of flesh burning, and feet running all reached heaven to the despair of Olodumare and the council of Òrìṣà. You, humans, were made to stand on the ground, yet you learned to fly.

You were made for walking on dry land, and yet you learned to swim. It is this same resilience that led the leaders that remained at that time to create the seven fortified kingdoms that enabled mankind to survive. The cities were protected by a dome created from science and the Okun of mystical beasts captured from the depths of Olóòkun's oceans, the heights of Ọlọ́run's skies, and the innermost parts of Òrìṣà Oko's forests. The capture of these mystical beasts displeased some of the gods, but to some others like Ògún, Ṣàngó, and a host of non-primordial deities, it was an admirable feat.

The world I speak of is no longer that which you used to know. Yes, guns still boom, and motorcycles roar past occasionally, but man is no longer doubtful of the existence of the gods. He is aware, fully aware, that some spirits lurk in the dark and beings that exist outside the scope of the books brought by the white man.

Ilé-ifẹ, the first kingdom, is recognized by the people as the source of the entire world. Yet, the people of Ife are peaceful and are content with being farmers and traders, worshipping more often than not, spirits of divination such as me and Obàtálá, the patron deity of humanity. The land of Ilé-ifẹ is ruled by a god-king. What is a god-king? You may ask and lucky for you, I will answer. Within the kingdom of Ilé-ifẹ, there exist four hundred and one deities... initially, they were four hundred, but being the first-born son of Odudua, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, the Ọọ́ni is the king of Ife and a god on earth.

Ọ̀yọ́, the mighty empire laid down by Ṣàngó himself, spans many hectares of land, having expanded over centuries of conquest. In times past, Ọ̀yọ́ was known for her fierce cavalry, but now it is known for its prolific use of heavily armored infantry and its increasingly aggressive foreign policy. Its people are proud and warlike, preferring to hunt and go to war. The region we now know as Ọ̀yọ́ has conquered many lands and is still conquering as her scientists and priests work increasingly hard to expand the dome that protects the kingdom. Ọ̀yọ́ is ruled by the Aláàfin, the unquestionable one and second to the gods. Like a true king, no word from his mouth returns void, and no promise returns unfulfilled. If Ilé-ifẹ is the spiritual capital of the world, Ọ̀yọ́ is the military one.

Èkìtì is a mountainous region consisting of various city-states, each refusing to be ruled by a single king. They are formidable people and, in this time of turmoil, submitted to a confederacy under the leadership of the Ewi. The mountainous region is steep and treacherous to invaders. A lesson that Ọ̀yọ́ has learned all too well in multiple encounters. In this world of war, Èkìtì is the only natural fortress, protected by Ọ̀rúnmìlà, the god of wisdom.

Àkúrẹ́ is a large town blessed with a multitude of natural resources. Its oil makes it the second richest of the seven kingdoms, and its cocoa makes for diversity in income, which the other kingdoms can only dream of. Her army is weak, though, and like Èkìtì, they are primarily acephalous. They have also submitted to a confederacy under the Deji. The resources and favorable climate of Òndó have made it a target by Ọ̀yọ́, and the only thing between the peaceful cocoa farmers and the armored infantry of Ọ̀yọ́ is the stubborn mountainous people of Èkìtì. To motivate the Èkìtì to protect them, Àkúrẹ́ delivers free oil and cocoa in specific amounts, and there is a prosperous trade relationship between both kingdoms.

Èkò otherwise referred to as the marine city, is protected by Olóòkun himself. This has allowed them to freely provide fish and other seafood in bulk for the neighboring kingdoms. They are also the most industrial of all seven kingdoms. Efficiently producing a vast majority of the military hardware of the time. The people of Èkò are sophisticated and hardworking, worshipping the sea and money more than anything. They are led by the Elékóò. The naval capacity of Èkò is beyond doubt higher than any other, and it is also the only link to Benin.

Benin, otherwise known as the land of rage, is a kingdom ruled by a wise and just king. The people this kingdom are rumored to be exceptionally gifted in the black arts, and the kingdom itself is protected by Esu and several covens of witches. The Benin people produce coral beads, and various treasures needed to adorn and beautify. Having subdued all the kingdoms in their vicinity, Benin is a genuinely fearsome nation, but her men are pleasant and her women divine.

Ìjẹ̀bú is a dreaded kingdom of mercenaries. These people are warriors, and they are good at what they do. The widow makers of Òwú, in the beginning, there were eight great kingdoms, but thanks to Ìjẹ̀bú, all we have left are seven. They lend out soldiers to the other nations. Soldiers, well versed in the arts of espionage, arson, and assassination. Their king, a warrior monarch, is addressed by the title of Àwùjàlẹ̀ and his people adore him. They are protected, notably by Ògún, the god of war.

Among the seven kingdoms, there exists a special breed of warriors who use sabers. Running on the Okun of vanquished iwin and their own life force, it is said that when an arógunmátìdí cuts someone with his saber or Ajaka, his soul will vanish into nothing. The arógunmátìdí are the knights of the seven kingdoms, avowed followers of Ògún, the god of war, and Ṣàngó, the god of thunder, they sometimes manifest superhuman abilities that may seem strange to you mere mortals. Telekinesis, short bolts of lightning, enhanced speed and strength, these are men that had given all their lives to warfare, they will never grow old, but their short lives are lived in glory.

Welcome to Ilẹ́ Yorùbá.