Nigeria, May 31 -- The Yoruba socio-political philosophy has never been comfortable with the idea of permanence, it constantly reminds those with ears of the impermanence of power and the fragility of every human structure built on temporary authority; it treats power instead as a condition that must constantly justify itself through restraint, moral balance, and an awareness of its own fragility. It is within this deeply rooted philosophy of impermanence that one of its most evocative proverbs emerges: "Ohun to n tan l'odun Eegun, omo Alagbaa si maa f'akara je eko.".

This proverb cannot be understood through literal translation alone; it must be explained through the cultural and symbolic world of the Egungun festival in Yorubaland. To ...