Skin of the Sea

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?

Compare and contrast the responses of Yemoja and Sango/Oya to the slave ships. Is one approach more “right” than the other? Why or why not? Which method of dealing with the ships do you think is most effective? Why?

Do you think Esu is evil? Why or why not? If so, which of his actions and/or decisions make him definitively evil and why those actions/choices? If not, what about his actions and choices keeps him from being evil, and what label would you give him? Why that label?

Of all the orisas included in Skin of the Sea (including Olodumare), which do you think is the most powerful and why? What specific ability gives this orisa more strength than the others, and what actions and/or decisions of that orisa allow them to use that power to its full potential in the novel?

In Chapter 23, part of the bridge to Esu’s palace involves choosing the exact type of shoe Esu wore to disguise himself as Olodumare. Why do you think Esu chose to have such a specific detail as part of the story on the bridge? What does the inclusion of this detail say about Esu and about our understanding of fairy tales, legends, and myths?

Throughout Skin of the Sea, characters act or make choices that seem right or wrong but are later given a different context. Explore the meaning of rightness and wrongness. What makes something right or wrong? Does context matter? What about the actions and/or decisions of others? Choose two actions or decisions in the story, one you felt was right and one you felt was wrong. Why did you make this judgment? How could that action or decision be seen as the opposite?

In Chapter 2, Simi thinks it is easier to follow Yemoja’s orders when she is made docile by the sea in her Mami Wata form. What do Simi’s thoughts here suggest about our capacity to follow instructions, even when we don’t necessarily agree with them? What might the sea’s calming effect represent in terms of things that influence us to listen to and obey others?