AN OBEISANCE TO OUR LEGENDS

Release day – Finally, the Legends are released from spires of my thoughts to the famished and sometimes prying eyes of the public.

Like throwing water out of a fast moving train, it hit me – The public? Do they have any knowledge of these legends? Should they? Any passion held for the legends?

Increase in sales might be an underlining scheme of other authors, the elation of telling you a story is mine. Before the release, let’s go back 30 years and relive the inception and chrysalis of “LEGENDS OF THE REDLAND”

1985

A bright and sunny day starts with me (few days after my 5th birthday) choosing to tryout my new found power…of flight. No insect bite, no meteorite, no chemical reaction; No, I was granted this power the day all-powerful, wish-granting box also known to many as a “television”. You see, I had gleefully assimilated series of images projected by the box. Images of a man cladded in blue skin tight leotard and red curtains (probably his mother’s) draping from his broad shoulders.

This man possessed the ability to fly and a colossal amount of strength evidenced by the fact he was able to stand his ground against three foes at the same time. Awe-struck, captivated, impressed; the moment had arrived for me to make my wish – “I wish I could do all this” I announced to the box.

The stage is set – our family backyard undergoing a makeover laced with construction and garden tools and scaffolding. No cameras but that didn’t hinder the action.  Faster than the speed of sound, I was perched at the top of the scaffolding ready to take flight…I can still hear the music score of Superman along with every bit of item on the structure (paintbrush, bucket, shovels) crashing down on me. The scaffolding followed aimed at my neck but stopped halfway by a stone structure right beside me. I was saved from being crushed by this steel structure which was ironic considering I was representing a certain man of steel. I didn’t break the sound barrier but I did however cause trauma to my neck and couldn’t turn my head left for a while. God truly was watching over me (He still is by the way…more details later).

Series of scolding, nurturing and pain killers assisted in solidifying my passion for visual art – I was convinced I was facing the right direction (literally).

Albeit, my wish for flight was not granted, my passion for storytelling took flight from that day.

1995

School, siesta, movies…school, siesta movies. This had become my daily religion since 1985 until the faithful day I had an awakening and became self-aware of the mysterious entity known as a GIRL. Attention diverted, the flare for art – movies, comics and books simply relocated to archival section of my thoughts.

Nothing further to report here as my dealings with the aforementioned entity is best left for a future read.

2001

A full-fledged geek with a roster of admired heroes and capable of re-enacting favourite moments of each hero amongst friends, I slowly realised that none of these moments championed an African hero.

My roster included Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Spiderman and Thor. However, each of these characters emulated at least a characteristics that resonated with other figures I had little knowledge of.

I had found a new objective – Are there any African heroes? Yes!!! The answer to my questioned arrived in a manner of seconds from a source that rivalled Google search engine – My Grandma. Few hours with my grandma and further research I came to know of an African axe-wielding erratic god called Shango – mastery over the weather, an anthropomorphic spider called Anansi – full of wits and trickery, a queen called Idia – warrior and master tactician and Ogbidi – the dust settler.

Now

Here I am – a full-fledged geek with a roster of admired African heroes. Join me as we delve into the individualities of these heroes – further than Wikipedia. Join me and witness the early beginnings and journeys of these heroes…

LEGENDS OF THE REDLAND – get your copy on 20/9/15.