Contested accounts
Who introduced the Ifá oracle into the Yoruba country?
Johnson records two traditions for the introduction of Ifá, the great consulting oracle: one credits King Onigbogi — said to have been dethroned for it — and another credits Setilu, a blind-born diviner from the Nupe country.
Ifá was introduced at a late period by King Onigbogi, who was said to have been dethroned for having done so.
“Ifa.—This is the great consulting oraclein the Yoruba country anal was introduced at a late period by King ONIGBOGI, who was said to have been dethroned for having done so.”
Read in context — Part I, Ch. 3 ¶48 →
Why ranked alternative: Johnson presents both traditions side by side without adjudicating.
Another tradition says Ifá was brought into the Yoruba country by one Setilu, a native of the Nupe country who was born blind.
“Another tradition says it was introduced into the Yoruba country by one Setilu, native of the Nupe country, who was born blind.”
Read in context — Part I, Ch. 3 ¶49 →
Why ranked alternative: Johnson presents both traditions side by side without adjudicating.
Settled facts are stated plainly; every disputed claim is attributed to its tradition or scholar and ordered by the weight of evidence behind it. Accounts now thought mistaken are kept too, with the reason why — seeing how the history has been understood over time is part of the story.