John Wyndham's Myths of Ife

[Vertigo]

I have been thinking of reading/re-reading some John Wyndham books recently and was browsing Amazon and came across this book. I was wondering if anyone had read it. The blurb has this to say:

This short book is a translation of some of the myths of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It is a history of the creation of the world, the gods, and humanity, and the early days of the sacred city of Ífè, the traditional center of Yoruba culture. The text was recited to the author/translator by the high priests of Ífè, and the book is still cited in some books on traditional Yoruba religion and thought today. It has undeservedly become quite rare, as it can be considered a minor classic in the field.



The author spent several years as an Assistant District Officer among the Yorubas in Nigeria, and was thus enabled to collect the folklore contained in this book from native sources.

Which I thought sounded rather interesting. Here's a clip from the Amazon look inside to give you a flavour of style:

I. THE BEGINNING.
The Órní of Ífè speaks:
Oíbo, you have asked to hear our lore,
The legends of the World's young hours—and where
Could truth in greater surety have its home
Than in the precincts of the shrines of Those
Who made the World, and in the mouths of priests
To whom their doings have been handed down
From sire to son?
Arámfè reigns in Heaven;
Before this World was made
There reigned Arámfè in the realm of Heaven
Amidst his sons. Old were the hills around him;
The Sun had shone upon his vines and cornfields
Since time past reckoning.

So has anyone read this and do they have any thoughts on it?

 

[Graham Howard]

I have been thinking of reading/re-reading some John Wyndham books recently and was browsing Amazon and came across this book. I was wondering if anyone had read it. The blurb has this to say:



Which I thought sounded rather interesting. Here's a clip from the Amazon look inside to give you a flavour of style:




So has anyone read this and do they have any thoughts on it?

Hi there, I'm pretty sure this is not the John Wyndham we know and love. JW was born in 1903, according to most sources this was published in 1921 (according to one source 1910!), which would make him pretty young to have served for several years in Nigeria, which the preface says the author has done. I think it's a different John Wyndham.

 

[mosaix]

Hi there, I'm pretty sure this is not the John Wyndham we know and love. JW was born in 1903, according to most sources this was published in 1921 (according to one source 1910!), which would make him pretty young to have served for several years in Nigeria, which the preface says the author has done. I think it's a different John Wyndham.

Interesting, GH. I'm a great JW fan and, I must admit I'd never hear of this one.

Thanks for original post, Vertigo.

 

[Vertigo]

@Graham Howard indeed thanks. I must say I didn't think it sounded too much like him!