The Gods Argue, Right?

For many of us, the concept of 'god' is an all-knowing, omnipresent, and all-domineering entity—something almost intimidating, holding the promise of success on earth and life after death. We've been conditioned to view the creator in a linear way, as the beginning and the end of everything we know in the entire universe. This belief is so deeply ingrained in our hearts that it significantly shapes our perception of our very being and existence.

No, this article isn't about religion, at least not in the conventional sense. While we adhere to various doctrines that may agree or disagree on many perspectives and definitions of the supreme supernatural being's existence, we rarely question, inspect, or explore possibilities beyond the religions we were born into—taught to fear, respect, and never deviate from, often deeming it blasphemous. But, should we?

Enter Lung'ashi B Nyongesa, better known as L. Biko Nyongesa in the world of filmmaking. He embarked on a quest to challenge this largely Westernised truth against what constituted the African truth for millions of years before the Bible reached us. Aside from North African territories becoming part of the Roman Empire and Ethiopia's adoption of Christianity in its recorded early years, lesser-known truths emerge. Christianity may have originated in the Near East, but it traveled to both Africa and Europe simultaneously, predating recorded history and colonialism, debunking the notion that it's solely a white man's religion. Well, it's not. Neither is it the only way of worship known to us.

Long before the AD era synonymous with the spread of Christianity and later Islam in the 7th century, Africans and the rest of the world worshipped various gods based on each culture's definition and understanding of the divine. This continued even after the spread of 'new' religions and the suppression of traditional practices in modern times. Spirituality did not arrive with the popularisation of Christianity or Islam, and this is where L. Biko Nyongesa makes his point in the film 'When The Gods Argue,' currently available on Showmax.

The film revisits an ancient concept of god, especially from the Yoruba people and the Serer religion of West Africa, drawing from L. Biko Nyongesa's in-depth research.

The narrative centres around a young man who prays to his gods—essentially divinely departed ancestors from his community. While they should ideally hear his prayers and fulfil his wishes, they are preoccupied with their own interests and petty arguments, 'forgetting' to honor their son's requests. The film illustrates the humanity of the gods, reinforcing L. Biko Nyongesa's point. Despite divine intervention being crucial to the protagonist's endeavours, he must still find the god within himself and take the steps to shape his destiny.

The film makes a compelling watch, presenting a storyline rarely seen in Kenyan filmmaking. It leaves viewers in awe of the realities we exist in, showing how deeply we can connect with the past and relate to the current world, all while reflecting on how we can define the future by reclaiming control over our fate and destinies through our innate abilities. Thus, when the gods argue, regardless of their stance, the god within you can navigate and become the deciding divinity on your path to success.

The film's portrayal emphasises the contrast between 'heaven' and earth, showcasing the striking similarities between life on earth and life in the divine realms. It delves into the human mindset of constant competition, highlighting the gambles that often cause more harm than good. L. Biko Nyongesa challenges viewers to understand the role of harmony, togetherness, agreement, and collaboration, emphasising the divineness in our efforts and choices, akin to the dedication we offer to the supernatural. This point is reinforced in 'Nipee' by MseeFlaniWrites ft. Nthambi Mutua, the original score for the film, where the main voice challenges another into agreeing to collaborate, share, and providing support and access to opportunities instead of having to do it all by themselves - with the risk of failure or too difficult a task that it drains them severely. And so, the film not only entertains but also serves as a poignant reminder of the power found in unity and shared endeavours, echoing the collaborative spirit woven into the very fabric of our existence.

L. Biko Nyongesa's work resulted in a masterpiece that encourages us to question our beliefs in relation to our divinity, and clearly, the gods argued right for him to create this storytelling marvel as written by Yvonne Wamuyu, leaving us to ponder our own convictions.

But don't just take my word for it. Watch the film and engage in your own argument with your gods. Ask them for a different way of doing business with you going forward, and, I hope, they argue right.