Summary

Wole Soyinka’s novel begins with a scene in the place of worship of Teribogo, also known as Papa Davina. Chapter 1: Oke Konran-Imoran describes this palatial headquarters of the syncretic bishop. Teribogo is having a one-on-one consult with a young woman referred to as the Seeker. She has been given an audience with Papa Davina due to a phone conversation she had with him earlier. In inner monologue she also notes that her sister had paid tithes to his church and been a pious disciple for quite a long time. Papa Davina expounds before her on his idea of prescience – or holy presence. He speaks in esoteric and riddles and performs a kind of holy rite where the Seeker must drink a psychoactive substance from his cup. The Seeker is awed by Papa...