Skin of the Sea

Given how Simi’s memories work throughout Skin of the Sea, what power do you think keeps her from remembering her life before she was remade? How much power does the sea have versus how much Simi may wish to remember or forget, and what does this combination of factors say about people and their relationship with their memories? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Based on Simi’s character, do you think she would have initially rescued Kola if she’d known about Olodumare’s decree? Why or why not? If so, what about Simi’s character makes you think so? If not, how might have the story been different, and what other factors may have led to Simi rescuing Kola?

Why do you think Olodumare allowed the Mami Wata to exist after ordering that no orisa shall interfere in the death or life of a human? What does Olodumare not destroying the Mami Wata suggest about Olodumare’s view of Yemoja, the Mami Wata, and the slave trade? Is it possible that Olodumare, the supreme creator, does not have the power to destroy the Mami Wata, and if that is the case, would this still make Olodumare a supreme being?