The Twin Brothers
A certain Yoruba king, Ajaka, had a favorite wife of whom he was very fond. But alas
for his hopes! She gave birth to twins.
At that time it was the universal custom to destroy twins immediately at birth, and the
mother with them. But the king had not the heart to put this cruel law into execution, and
he secretly charged one of his nobles to conduct the royal mother and her babes to a
remote place where they might live in safety.
Here the twin brothers grew to manhood, and loved one another greatly. They were
inseparable, and neither of them had any pleasure except in the company of the other. When
one brother began to speak, the other completed his phrase, so harmonious were their
thoughts and inclinations.
Their mother, before she died, informed them of their royal birth, and from this moment
they spent the time vainly regretting their exile, and wishing that the law of the country
had made it possible for them to reign.
At last they received the news that the king their father was dead, leaving no heir,
and it seemed to the brothers that one of them ought to go to the capital and claim the
throne. But which?
To settle this point they decided to cast stones, and the one who made the longer throw
should claim the throne, and afterwards send for his brother to share in his splendor.
The lot fell on the younger of the twins, and he set off to the capital, announced
himself as the Olofin's [king's] son, and soon became king with the consent of all the
people. As soon as possible he sent for his brother, who henceforth lived with him in the
palace and was treated with honor and distinction.
But alas! jealousy began to overcome his brotherly affection, and one day as he walked
with the king by the side of the river, he pushed his brother suddenly into the water,
where he was drowned.
He then gave out in the palace that his brother was weary of kingship, and had left the
country, desiring him to reign in his stead.
The king had certainly disappeared, and as no suspicion fell on the twin brother, he
was made king and so realized his secret ambition.
Some time later, happening to pass by the very spot where his brother had been drowned,
he saw a fish rise to the surface of the water and begin to sing:
Your brother lies here,
Your brother lies here.
The king was very much afraid. He took up a sharp stone and killed the fish.
But another day when he passed the spot, attended by his nobles and shielded by the
royal umbrella made of the skins of rare animals, the river itself rose into waves and
sang:
Your brother lies here,
Your brother lies here.
In astonishment the courtiers stopped to listen. Their suspicions were aroused, and
when they looked into the water they found the body of the king.
Thus the secret of his disappearance was disclosed, and the wicked brother was rejected
in horror by his people. At this disgrace he took poison and so died.
M. I. Ogumefu: Yoruba Legends. London 1929, Nr. 18. (AT 780, Nigeria, Yoruba)
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