Skin of the Sea

“‘Mo gbà yín. Ní àpéjọ, àpéjọ yóò rí ìbùkún àpéjẹ̀ẹ Ìyá Yemoja tí yóo ṣe àpéjọ̀rùn ìrìn àjò àpéjẹ. Kí Olodumare mú ọ dé ilé ní àìléwu àti àláfíà,’ I say, and then repeat the prayer that will glean the woman’s soul. ‘I welcome you. Gathered, you will be blessed by Mother Yemoja, who will ease your journey. May Olodumare take you home to safety and peace. Come forth.’”

Throughout Skin of the Sea, the characters pray to various orisas, and Bowen often relays the prayers first in the native language and then in English. Here, Simi says the prayer to retrieve the drowning woman’s soul from her body. By including the prayer in both languages, Bowen offers a more authentic and encompassing experience to the reader. The English translation makes the words accessible to a wider audience while still keeping the cadence and understanding of the original words.

“‘It’s just…’ But the words won’t come and instead I find myself saying nothing, trying to keep my lips from trembling. The sapphire is cool in my grip as I look down at it, remembering the woman.

Folasade floats nearer as my hair waves in front of us. ‘May I?’ she asks.

Nodding, I let Folasade sweep my curls away so that we can see each other’s faces clearly. Her eyes are almost black in the water, but they shine with a reverence I know is missing from mine.”

This is the only time Simi interacts with a Mami Wata other than Yemoja. Folasade’s calm reassurance is a foil to Simi’s uncertain emotional state. It is unclear what Folasade is asking permission for, but as she moves Simi’s hair aside directly after asking, it may be that Folasade is seeking permission to enter Simi’s personal space and touch her. The comparison between Folasade’s reverence and Simi’s lack sets Simi up for her journey of self-discovery and shows that, while Simi understands the importance of the Mami Wata duty, she knows she can do more.