GOOGLE DOODLE SALUTES PIONEERING SCULPTOR - EDMONIA LEWIS

February is Black History Month in the United States. Today, Google kicked off the month long of celebration by honoring Mary Edmonia Lewis.

Mary Edmonia Lewis (c. July 4, 1844 – September 17, 1907) was an American sculptor who worked

for most of her career in Rome, Italy. She was the first woman of African-American and Native American heritage to achieve international fame and recognition as a sculptor in the fine arts world.

Her work is known for incorporating themes relating to black people and indigenous peoples of the Americas into Neoclassical-style sculpture. She began to gain prominence during the American Civil War; at the end of the 19th century, she remained the only black woman who had participated in and been recognized to any degree by the American artistic mainstream. In 2002, the scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Edmonia Lewis on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.

Born: July 4, 1844, East Greenbush, NY
Died: September 17, 1907, London, United Kingdom
Period: Neoclassicism Known for: Sculpture
Artwork: The Death of Cleopatra, Poor Cupid, More
Education: New-York Central College, McGrawville, Oberlin College

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DID YOU KNOW THAT THE ORIGINAL YORUBA WORD FOR WIFE IS AYA NOT IYAWO?

Did you know that the original word for wife in Yoruba language is AYA and not IYAWO? The latter is quite commonly used nowadays than the former.

I would take you through how Iyawo came about;Wura who was at the phase of choosing a spouse was faced with the task of selecting the most suitable one for herself, she was the first child and the daughter of the King of Iwo (A Yoruba town)Yoruba deities like Sango, Ogun, and other known male deities went to Iwo to seek her hand in marriage.

Wura mistreated them, Wura was very rude and uncouth. She meted the worst behaviour one can think of onto her suitors.Everyone of them failed to accomplish the prospect of marrying her because they could not withstand her behaviour, they all abandoned their mission on their first day, that was how tough Wura was. However, when it was Orunmila's turn, before he set for Iwo, he sought wisdom from Olodumare through Ifa. He was duly informed that no matter the treatment Wura might subject him to, he must not react accordingly, he should have patience and lots of endurance. He was highly warned to expect humiliation from Wura but must not be provoked.When Orunmila got to Iwo, Wura looked at him scornfully, she did not welcome him, she hissed at him, called Orunmila all sorts of name, she did not even give Orunmila any food or entertained him. Orunmila just ignored her attitudes. The first day, second day, till about the seventh day.

 To cap it all, Wura took Orunmila's Opon-Ifa [divination board] and used it as firewood, she took Orunmila's Pouch [Apo Ominijekun] from him. This angered Orunmila greatly but he still conducted himself alright. he refused to react to her behaviour having been warned the consequences of not heeding advice.In the long run, the King noticed that Orunmila was humble and well behaved, he was amazed that Orunmila did not react or show any sign of anger towards his daughter despite the humiliation. Orunmila's behaviour gave him the assurance that he would take good care of Wura his daughter if she became his wife.

All along, unknowingly, Wura's behaviour had been a test for all the prospective suitors. The King eventually summoned Orunmila and handed Wura over to him as his wife and he divided his property into two. He gave Orunmila half of it, Orunmila thus became rich and had Wura as his wifeUpon Orunmila's arrival back home, his people welcomed him enthusiastically for his accomplished task, they asked for some details of his new wife, his answer was direct: Iya-ti-mo-je- ni-Iwo (the result of my indignation at Iwo town). This eight syllable word, "Iya-ti-mo-je- ni-Iwo" became known as Iya-Iwo, and now Iyawo.

By: Bola Olalekan

**As Oral History Specifies**

Photo credit: Oluwasparkle

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