By Kayode Oseni
In the heart of South West Nigeria, where emerald forests whisper ancient secrets, lived Pa Taiwo Badejo, a hunter-healer of renowned wisdom. His knowledge wasn’t gleaned from dusty tomes, but from the vibrant tapestry of the natural world and the ethereal realm of ancestral communion. Oral traditions held that beings dwelling within nature bestowed upon chosen herbalists the hidden properties of plants, revealing their healing virtues and potential dangers.
Kayode Maruff Adewale Dolani Oseni, or Dolly as he was fondly called, was Pa Taiwo’s grandson and the chosen vessel to carry on the family’s legacy. While his uncles pursued merchant trades, young Dolly’s destiny was intertwined with the rustling leaves and earthy scents of the forest. During school holidays, he would escape to his grandfather’s abode, a sanctuary where the whispers of the wild replaced the clamor of the town.
Hunting expeditions with Grandpa and his uncles were Dolly’s classroom. He was swifter than his older relatives, a blur of youthful energy alongside “Dolly”, the hunting dog—a name passed down through generations of agile canines. When Pa Taiwo’s shot found its mark, it was Dolly, boy and dog, who would give chase. In the ensuing struggle, Dolly learned the language of the forest, observing which plants animals instinctively sought when wounded, which they avoided. Each thorn prick, each grazed knee, each close encounter with the forest’s inhabitants etched lessons into his memory. Two broken teeth and a fractured knee were badges of honor, earned in the pursuit of ancestral knowledge.
Pa Taiwo never explicitly taught Dolly about herbs. Instead, he fostered a deep connection to the land, encouraging observation and intuition. He believed the forest itself would guide Dolly, revealing its secrets in due time. And it did. Dolly noticed how certain leaves staunched bleeding, how specific roots eased aches, and how some barks brought down fever. This knowledge wasn’t just memorized; it was felt, understood on a primal level through his experiences.
Though Pa Taiwo’s attempts to document his remedies were not realized, the knowledge lived on, not in ink, but in the heart and mind of his grandson. Even after his passing, Pa Taiwo appeared in Dolly’s dreams, a spectral guide reinforcing ancient wisdom and urging him to continue the lineage.
Now, Professor Kayode Maruff Adewale Dolani Oseni stands as a beacon of traditional healing, a testament to the power of oral traditions, ancestral connection, and the profound knowledge whispered by the natural world. He honors his grandfather’s legacy, not as a mere herbalist, but as a conduit between the ancient wisdom of the forest and the modern world, ensuring that Pa Taiwo’s spirit continues to soar in the realm of light, illuminating the path for generations to come.
- Kayode Oseni, a Professor of Natural Medicine, is the Chief Consultant at Alayo Health and Wellness Centre, 100, Abeokuta – Ibadan Expressway, Car Wash Area, Adatan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
