The Spirit World

Despite Wole's upbringing as a Christian in a Christian parsonage compound, the "spirit world" of his immediate ancestors constantly pervades his life and the life of his family. As a child who doesn't know better, Wole wholeheartedly believes many of the superstitions and primitive beliefs and practices handed down through the Yoruba people. It is in fact crucial that Wole write with a childlike openness in respect to these religions, to avoid any judgment or derision in regards to these customs; instead, like Wole, the reader can simply absorb them and take them for granted as a part of the world Wole is crafting. In this world, creatures called ghommids are waiting to attack little children who dare go by the local stream to collect snails. A variety of amulets and other trinkets can block bad "juju," or magic. And cursed items can wither hands or...