Late Chief Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa, a renowned Yoruba writer, was born around 1903 in Okeigbo, Ondo state, Southwest Nigeria. He passed away on December 9, 1963, near Bida. Fagunwa, a Yoruba chief and educator, is celebrated for his series of fantastical novels, which have solidified his place as one of Nigeria’s most revered writers.
His groundbreaking first novel, “Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale” (1938; “The Forest of a Thousand Daemons”), was the first full-length novel published in the Yoruba language. Subsequently, he released “Igbo Olodumare” (“God’s Forest”) in 1949, followed by “Ireke Onibudo” (1949; “The Sugarcane of the Guardian”), “Irinkerindo Ninu Igbo Elegbeje” (1954; “Wanderings in the Forest of Elegbeje”), and “Adiitu Olodumare” (1961; “The Secret of the Almighty”). In addition to his novels, Fagunwa also wrote several short stories and two travel books, further cementing his literary legacy.
Rest in peace, legendary writer …
