A Legendary Tale Lost in Animation

Lawrence Dieyi’s animated epic film, Oya: The Goddess of the Gods, falls short in its attempt to retell the legendary story of Oya to a new audience. However, it successfully bridges the gap between tradition and modernity by reimagining an ancient tale in a fresh and innovative way.

Oral narratives often exist in stories of legends whose significant personages transcended them into timeless protagonists. Distinct from myths, which are fabricated stories manufactured by different communities (often to explain their origin as well as the stories of divinities), legends are prominent, valuable and enduring historical narratives. From an anthropological lens, legends are old-age stories about heroic individuals who are later deified, with their life stories codified and revered as sacred by certain believers who value their ideals and values. This communalistic belonging varies across communities. Among the Yoruba people, legends revolve around various deities such as Sango, Ogun, Agemo, Osun, and Oya.

The story of Oya is the subject of the 15-minute animated film, Oya: The Goddess of God. The film was released in May 2024 by 3D Nation Multimedia. Titled in the eponymous character of the legend, the film attempts to revive the legend of this revered feminine deity, who has maintained her influence across generations and geographical boundaries among Yoruba-speaking communities. Oya’s influence transcends both generational and geographical boundaries, extending beyond the traditional territories of the ancient Yorubas. Originating from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, her worship has spread to parts of West Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean, where she is known as Iansa and Oia in some diasporic communities. Oya’s impact is evident in syncretic practices like Santeria, Candomblé, and Vodou, where she is associated with figures like Saint Barbara, showcasing the adaptability of Yoruba spirituality in diverse cultural contexts. Therefore, to do justice to this legendary figure, a film is expected to adopt a synchronic approach, providing a contemporary exploration of her influence among diverse believers.

However, Lawrence Dieyi’s animated short film takes an anthropological and rural approach, falling short in its attempt to reimagine Oya’s legend for a modern audience...