Colorism
In Orïsha, not only are divîners discriminated against, but lighter skin tones are a mark of privilege, as the wealthy do not have to do physical labor outdoors. Zélie and Amari both endure snide remarks from their lighter-skinned peers about their darker complexions. Though Amari is a princess, the oloyes criticize her dark skin. They suggest Amari try skin-lightening treatments and even spread rumors that Amari's mother had an affair with a servant.
Structural Inequality
Throughout the text, Zelie explains how the political system in Orisha intentionally keeps divîners subjugated. For example, divîners are taxed at a higher rate, are legally not allowed to marry kosidán, and are not allowed to hold positions of authority. Additionally, the royal guards commit and overlook crimes against divîners. Because of this structural inequality, diviners occupy a low social and economic position in Orïsha.
Zélie criticizes Inan for not understanding this reality, as his position blinds him to the truth of the system. Zélie tells him, "they built this world for you, built it to love you," explaining that the only way for her to survive is to rebel against the monarchy's rules.
Tzain and Zélie also disagree over how to best interact with the monarchy. Tzain tries to achieve peace through assimilation. As a kosidán, he believes he can avoid violence and oppression through "playing by the monarchy's rules," not understanding that "those rules are rooted in hate." When King Saran tortures Zelie, saying, "I wouldn't be doing my job as king if I didn't remind you what you are," he exemplifies this hatred. To King Saran, his political duty is to maintain a social order that dehumanizes the maji.
Beauty through Resistence
Though the divîners suffer significantly at the hands of the monarchy, they find beauty amidst their plights. The divîner houses in Lagos visually represent this resistance. They live in slums, but their houses "shine with bright paints and colorful art." Zélie remarks that the "vibrant protest defies the title of slum." To Zélie, the care, creativity, and optimism the divîners put into their homes is a form of resistance.
Amari remarks that her friend, Binta, was able to find beauty in every situation, however uncomfortable or upsetting. Binta, a divîner servant, resisted the monarchy by creating moments of beauty, joy, and pleasure in her relationship with Amari.
When Zélie first tries to connect with the dead in the arena, she initially cannot reach their spirits. She soon realizes that Minoli, a laborer she connected with, had made her last memory a vision of her life with her family. Though Minoli was poor and her life was difficult, her relationship with her family sustained her.
Though the divîners in Zu's community were orphaned by the Raid, they resist the monarchy by reclaiming their culture. Away from the monarchy's influence, the young divîners speak Yoruba, host celebrations, and create joyful art and music.
Loss of Innocence
All of the major characters in the text experience loss, trauma, and violence that shapes them, creating fear, self-loathing, and rage. For example, royal guards murdered Zélie's mother during the Raid, which so damaged her father that Zélie and Tzain had to assume parental roles at a young age. Zélie tells Inan that she is constantly afraid because of this violence.
Inan and Amari were forced to spar with real swords and cut one another. Though Inan and Amari were close, this trauma separated them, making Amari afraid and Inan self-hating. The two never discussed when Inan cut Amari.
Zu exemplifies the theme of loss of innocence. Her entire family died during the Raid, and she grew up with little support. At a mere thirteen years old, Zu became the first divîner to touch the scroll and restore her magic; she was then thrust into the leadership role for the divîner community. Zu's loss of innocence culminates in her untimely death.
Class and Privilege
When Zélie embarks on her journey to restore magic, differences of class and privilege create tension between her and Amari. In Orïsha, the divîners and nobles live under vastly different circumstances. The divîners are economically disadvantaged, systematically abused, and unable to practice their cultural traditions. The nobles, however, live in luxury and excess, wearing ornate garments, eating exotic foods, and watching divîners fight to the death for entertainment.
While grappling with Binta's murder, Amari reflects on her relationship with the divîner maidservant. Though Amari did not fully comprehend it, their relationship was unequal. For example, Binta served Amari and was punished for things Amari did. Amari's privilege also kept her ignorant of her father's crimes. When she sees the stocks in Ibeji for the first time, she is horrified that each young laborer is "hardly more than a walking skeleton."
Though Inan and Amari belong to the most prestigious household in Orïsha, their social position created traumas that Zélie and Tzain did not experience. For example, Zélie and Tzain enjoyed loving relationships with their parents. In contrast, King Saran forced Amari and Inan to spar with one another and compete for his affection. Additionally, Amari was never allowed outside of the palace, while Zélie and Tzain were permitted to explore.
Violence
The text explores different forms of violence and their impact on individuals and communities. The Raid, a genocide of the maji, sets the text's tone as the protagonists struggle against institutional violence.
Mama Agba teaches her students the way of the staff, a philosophy that encourages its practitioners to only use violence as a tool to protect themselves and defend others. This violence contrasts sharply with the monarchy's subjugation of the maji. Mama Agba's philosophy forces Zélie to consider in which circumstances violence is appropriate and to what extent it is morally justified.
Other examples of violence appear throughout the text. The guards sexually harass Zélie to exert power over her; King Saran forces Amari and Inan to battle to avoid "weakness." Thus, the novel suggests that violence appears in many dangerous forms that can damage both the body and spirit.
Reclamation of Culture and Identity
King Saran weakened the maji by forbidding them to speak their language and celebrating their culture; he even actively severed their connection to the gods. Zélie's power grows as she reconnects with her culture, demonstrating that strength is tied to identity.
Lekan's tales of the gods empower Zélie to embrace her role as the mamalawo, a role she felt ill-equipped to assume before connecting with Oya. Thus, Zélie demonstrates the importance of understanding one's culture; she can only access the breadth of her power once she understands herself.
In Zu's divîner camp, the "children of Orïsha dance like there's no tomorrow, each step praising the gods." They speak Yoruba and celebrate the Àjọyò, a ritual the monarchy forbade. By engaging in these cultural activities, the divîners forge a communal identity and increase their magical abilities.
At the end of the text, Zélie connects with the Sky Mother, though King Saran had damaged her ability to access magic. By linking with her ancestors to restore magic, Zélie demonstrates that reclaiming culture and identity is a source of immutable power.
