The Mushroom and the Milli
When considering nations with a profound appreciation for mushrooms, people often think of places like Russia, Japan, or even Mexico. However, it might be surprising for many, myself included, to discover that mushrooms play a significant role in diverse cultures worldwide. Most recently I learned about the Yoruba people, an ethnic group located in West Africa, particularly concentrated in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The following story is based on a folktale about the stinkhorn Phallus aurantiacus, collected as part of an ethnomycological survey in Nigeria by B. A. Oso.
Once upon a time, there was a millipede. This industrious creature was a dedicated hunter who ventured into the forest each day to procure food for his family. Despite his popularity within the community, there existed a trio of creatures who despised him: the Secretarybird, the Giant Shrew, and the Rock Python.
Photo taken by Bernard Dupont (source)
One fateful day, the millipede set out for the woods, unaware that these three sinister creatures had followed him. Upon reaching a secluded spot deep within the forest, they encircled the millipede, brandishing torches. Trapped, the millipede succumbed to their treacherous plot and was set ablaze, reduced to only a pile of ash.
Watercolor painting of a Secratarybird by James Bruce done in 1768
Hours later, when the millipede failed to return home, his family grew worried. Gathering the household and several members of the community, they embarked into the forest. After hours of searching, they stumbled upon the remains of their beloved friend - a heap of ashes amidst scattered belongings. Distraught, they tenderly gathered the items, only to uncover a remarkable sight beneath the soot: a mushroom, adorned with a vivid orange stem and a greenish-grey bulbous top.
Photo taken by Alan Rockefeller (Source)
In homage to their fallen comrade, they christened the mushroom Akufodewa, a poignant tribute symbolizing the millipede's valiant spirit (ku = die + fun = for + ode = hunter + wa = search). And thus, each year, during an annual festival, his family and community honor the memory of this noble creature.
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“The Yoruba people of the Western State of Nigeria call these fungi Akufodewa (Yor. ku = die + fun = for + ode = hunter + wa = search). A Yoruba mythical story connects the origin of the stinkhorns with the millipede. This story tells us that many years ago the millipede, who was then a hunter, went to the forest to hunt. As soon as "his" enemies knew that "he" was in the forest they surrounded "him" with fire, and "he" was eventually burnt to death. When "he" failed to turn up at home, '"his" relations organized a search party into the forest. When they got to the spot where "he" was burnt to death they discovered that a fungus (stinkhorn) had already grown there. They therefore named this fungus Akufodewa, in memory of the hunter millipede "who" had died in the forest. The Yoruba hunters today still pay tribute to the memory of the millipede during their annual festival.” (Oso, 1976, p. 1079)
Sources:
Oso, B. A. (1976). Phallus aurantiacus from Nigeria. Mycologia, 68(5), 1076-1082.
