Why You Should Read 'Orisa' By Dele Sikuade

 

Think Stephen King, think Dean Koontz, and think Neil Gaiman. Then take a look at Orisa,   penned by best-selling author  Dele Sikuade & recently published by Quramo Publishing Ltd. 

 Orisa is a paranormal thriller set in Lagos, Nigeria, and with each turn of the page, readers delve into the main character's troubled & unhappy world, filled with mystery, paranoia, and hidden threats. 

The main character is Ndidi, a woman whose relationship with her husband, Deji, is strained to the point that they sleep in separate bedrooms. Adding to her unhappiness is the overbearing mother-in-law they live with (known only as Mummy) & her deep influence over her daughter, Tola.  

As if things aren't bad enough, before, Ndidi is forced to attend Mummy's church, which exerts large sums of money from the churchgoers, under the guise of tithes. But as the book progresses, it is obvious there’s more to the story than an unhappy marriage and a greedy charlatan. 

Ndidi hears voices, experiences visions, and feels the presence of a foul-smelling entity. The swamp behind the house adds to the story's dark, paranormal tone, as it is inhabited by the orisa and the various rituals that take place there. The swamp, the entity (orisha), and the mysterious notes warning Ndidi about the Gbomogbomos (Ifa child snatchers) are the major mysterious aspects and main points of the story’s conflict. 

The story is told from a third-person perspective and begins by revealing Ndidi’s backstory. It frequently references Pastor Mike’s past as a babalawo (Ifa priest), which he uses as a gimmick to emphasise his so-called redemption. The narrative is filled with plot twists and shocking revelations that will surprise readers, along with a sense of suspense throughout. In addition to the supernatural elements, the story includes scenes of physical violence, murder, and juju practices. 

                                                   Why You Should Read Orisa  

Dele Sikaude appears to draw inspiration from Stephen King, the master of horror, or perhaps is a fan of the paranormal genre.  The book eases readers in, then gathers momentum as supernatural twists emerge. Like Mr King, who weaves both traditional and invented folklore into his stories, Sikaude skillfully taps into Yoruba mythology and infuses the narrative with his own imaginative flair. In Yoruba religion, an Orisa is commonly regarded as a deity. In  Yoruba mythology, it's believed orisas serve as mediators between humans and Olodumare, the Supreme Creator. Gods like Sango and Ogun were human Yoruba rulers who were posthumously deified.  

In the book, Orisas were presented as supernatural entities that feed on human emotions, can be summoned by those who know how, and are revered as deities. For the most part, the entity(ies) Nidid had to deal with were malicious, blood thirsty, and demanding. 

Ndidi is treated like an outsider in the opening chapters.  Initially, she keeps much of her pain and resentment to herself. The fact that she is Ibo and married into a Yoruba family symbolises her feeling like a fish out of water and being underestimated as a person. Her husband, Deji, is just as submissive as she is, cowed by Pastor Mike (whom he also works for) and his mother. However, after Mama’s death and their daughter Tola’s disappearance, everything changes. Ndidi discovers her inner strength and becomes more daring, determined, and assertive during the search for her daughter, uncovering information that ultimately aids her. The readers also witness a transformation in Deji; he evolves from a cold, uncaring, and weak-spirited man into a hero who makes the ultimate sacrifice in the end. As more secrets are revealed, readers learn about Deji's backstory and the true reason he became distant from Ndidi in the first place. Additionally, Pastor Mike's greed and his strange hold on Deji are further explored, revealing more about Mummy and Pastor Mike's deep influence on her in the process.

Orisa is a compelling page turner, each revelation leaving readers stunned. If it's adapted into a movie, it would be a big hit & revive the Nollywood horror genre. 

It's available to buy at Quramo Publishing Ltd's Qbook Cafe at 13, Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. To order online, email info@quramo.com or visit Quramo's Instagram handle, @quramoofficial, and drop a DM.  Price: 15k 

For readers outside Nigeria, check it out on Amazon. 

Enjoy the book!