Aseda, one of the 16 Major Ifa Diviners in the World
The image has been haunting me for days. The image of cancer eating away at Gene – my next door neighbor. An elderly man, a big, strapping man who until recently, seemed to be in good health. In my mind's eye, I still see him bustling about in the backyard, whistling and calling out to me from time to time from over the wooden fence. And I'll never forget all the times he tried to flirt with Stephanie, my wife. (I thought it was cute)
But that wasn't the man we found two days ago. Claudette, Gene's wife, called Stephanie and I to help lift him off the floor and back into bed. He groaned in agony; both feet were swollen. He was still dressed in pajamas and was barely able to recognize us.
As I looked at Gene I couldn't help but think of the elders in Nigeria – Aseda and Agbonbon – two master Ifa diviners that you'll meet in the film. I thought about them and I thought about all the ebos, the sacrifices they've done over the years to protect me and family from health problems and other disasters. At times it was hard for me to fully appreciate all their work because it can be expensive. (Although I would thank them, inside I would also grumble).
Gene's sudden deterioration was yet another reminder about how fragile this existence is – and how nothing must be taken for granted. Not this minute – not the next. His bout with cancer also inspires me to learn more about my elders and their lifelong commitment to Ifa and the healing arts. I am filled with gratitude. Where the elders and the orisas lead, I will follow.