ÀRỌ̀NÌ Ò WÁLÉ, ONIKÒYÍ Ò SIMI OGUN
The beauty of Àrọ̀nì was not confined only to Ọ̀yọ́. Far away kingdoms and enemies have also heard of the pristine African melanated beauty. No bleached skin as we have today in African men and women. Moderate voluptuousness in the right places enough to hold the beads in place. Graceful gait, soft words, gentle and kindhearted manner; Áárónì was a darling to all. She goes everywhere with tens of servants. However, Àrọ̀nì was brave to a fault. She would dare venture to market alone, firm to a position if she is sure she is right.
When the king saw the desperation of Oníkòyí to have Àrọ̀nì as wife, he wanted to exploit the opportunity to solve the problem in his kingdom. The kingdom was in constant war with other kingdoms. It was a state of insecurity and violence. So Oníkòyí, though of lower rank in the king's army, was asked to lead assault on those enemies' camps. Oníkòyí fought and won many of these battle gallantly. His status continued to rise.
Then, the unimaginable happened!
It so happened that in one of Àrọ̀nì 's many trips to Akesan market. She was returning with her entourage when the head servant observed that bushes were moving and closing in on them in the middle of a forest. Before they could get together to defend the princess, men of alien tribal marks and tongue sorrounded them and took Àrọ̀nì away.
News filtered to the town that Àrọ̀nì had been kidnapped by unknown men speaking different language. The king was devastated. A party was quickly dispatched to go and rescue Àrọ̀nì from the hand of the strangers. They got there and fight ensued. There they got to know it was another tribe that kidnapped Àrọ̀nì and they were taking her to their king as wife in the land of the uncivilized.
Who does that? Why didn't they come to seek for Àrọ̀nì 's hand in marriage from her parent? What society of uncivilized brute!? How can they choose to kidnap this beautiful princess when other girls abound in the kingdom?" The king continued to reason. It soon dawn on him that it is only Oníkòyí that could rescue his daughter. But Oníkòyí had been sent to war and yet to return! Currently at the fore front of war where the battle is as hot as red iron. So, the only option he had was to recall him from battlefield.
Oníkòyí, upon hearing the news that the princess betrothed to him had been kidnapped by unknown tribe and the king 's recall, left the battlefield to attend to the princess kidnap. What a glorious day Oníkòyí and his battalion left in search of the princess. Akẹ̀sán market women saw them to the town's gate:
Ọmọ ọjọ́ kan, ọ̀jọ̀ kàn
Ọmọ ọjọ́ kan ọ̀jọ́ kán
T'Oníkòyí jó wọ'ja l'ọkùnrin ogun
Alábọ́ ń gb'ábọ́ al'áwo ń gb'áwo
K'ẹ́ni tí ó rà ní'gbá ó tóó dé
Oníkòyí tí f'áwo rẹ̀ roro bí epo lọ!
They set forth at dawn, to the country of the uncivilized. The land of the brute and beastly king who drenches himself in the blood of virgins everyday. The land of horror unimaginable. Where savages cheer in trancelike pleasure, as human heads role down the altar of their godking. Princess Àrọ̀nì had been captured, only Olódùmarè knows what she could be passing through at that moment.
Oníkòyí raced to the battlefield on horseback with mad determination. He was ready to lay his life down for what is rightfully his, for his land, people and honour. His army cheered him on with praises of his lineage. The warriors of his lineage who had gone to the great beyond. To tell him that they are solidly behind him. To death or to glory: no son born of Oníkòyí sees battle and run away. Arrows in pouch, darts in pockets, well sharpened swords raised up blazing in the mid-morning sun, Oníkòyí and his men headed to war with equal measure of trancelike state of mind.
What happened next will surprise you. 😂 😜😂
If you enjoy this story and think you can fare better in the reimagination of our history for incoming generation.
