| (Drummers
begin to pat their drums gently until the music reaches a high tempo.
Olusi enters the state accompanied by drummers and the town’s people.
They dance. The drummers squeeze their talking drums held under their
armpit. They kneel, shake and mop their faces of sweat as they sing the
praise of Olusi-the beloved’ son of Jayin and heir to the throne of
Oyo). |
| SONG: |
|
It’s the Kings destiny that brings luck to Olusi |
|
|
The Chiefs destiny brings luck along the way |
|
|
Our destinies quickly take the Prince to the throne |
|
|
Olusi - is already the King |
|
|
The most popular man. |
| TRADITIONAL TALKING
DRUM IS PRONOUNCED WITHIN
THE CROWD: |
|
Enough! |
|
|
Prince today, king tomorrow. |
|
|
You are the Prince proper. |
| OLUSI: |
|
That’s me. A prince today, and a king tomorrow. I’m the Prince proper,
and
it is the will of the gods. Nobody, nobody can change that. When the royal mantle
falls on me, I shall deliver the goods to everyone without hindrance. |
| POET: (Within the crowd) |
|
Olusi, the redeemer sent by the gods to lighten our burden, hear me this day,
I say, Son-of-wealth, as I stand before you. |
| He steps forward and covers his mouth
in such a way that his lips are visible |
|
|
Olusi, King tomorrow. I hail and hail you with all my heart. |
|
|
Olusi, The shining star that shines over Oyo hear me this day I say, that Oyo may prosper once again,
And be brought back to its past glory. Nobody, but you who can do it. |
|
|
Olusi, the unshakable giant among giants. The tallest Iroko
tree among others. Hear me I say, you are the proper Prince. Amongst the Princes of Oyo.
Redeem your people today that the whole of Oyo Empire may live in eternal bliss. |
| SINGER: |
|
Alara, I found my luck |
|
|
Ajero, I’ve seen it my luck |
|
|
The lost luck |
|
|
Has been found. |
| TALKING DRUM REPEATS. |
|
(They sing and dance) |
| POET: |
|
Olusi, The would-be-king |
|
|
And the pride of Oyo |
|
|
Hear me I say, |
|
|
That Oyo will not be deserted |
|
|
Like a town at war. |
|
|
Olusi, |
|
|
Oyo needs you today |
|
|
And at all times |
|
|
As a woman needs salt |
|
|
That her prosperity may stream |
|
|
Across like the morning sun. |
| (At intervals, the townspeople and
Olusi shake their heads satisfactorily) |
| POET: |
|
My people, |
|
|
A town was once plagued with disease, |
|
|
All herbalists on earth converged to save |
|
|
the dying populace. |
|
|
They found no solution. |
|
|
Yes! There was no remedy. |
|
|
Then they decided to consult the Creator. |
|
|
Two birds were sent. |
|
|
One was called Olugbohun, |
|
|
The other was called Olutitan. |
|
|
They both journeyed to heaven |
|
|
Olutitan first met the Creator |
|
|
He met him while eating |
|
|
The Creator called him to dinner, |
|
|
He sat down to eat without hesitation |
| DRUMMER BEATS: |
|
It’s a
fact |
| POET |
|
Later, Olugbohun entered |
|
|
And met them eating. |
|
|
Without hesitation, |
|
|
Olugbohun told Him his mission |
|
|
The Creator gave him two leaves. |
| DRUMMER BEATS: |
|
It was
so. |
| POET |
|
One was the leaf of eternal joy. |
|
|
The other was the leaf of wealth and riches. |
|
|
It was then that Olutitan complained |
|
|
that he came for the same mission. |
|
|
The Creator vexed and cast a spell on him. |
| DRUMMER BEATS: |
|
You have
said the truth. |
| POET: |
|
Olusi, |
|
|
You are Olugbohun |
|
|
The Creator has answered our prayers. |
| SINGER: |
|
We’ll call him Olusi |
|
|
He will be known as Olugbohun. |
| WITHIN
THE CROWD |
|
(a man steps forward) |
|
|
Enough! Enough!! |
|
|
If we say enough, the drummer stops. |
|
|
If it’s not enough, he changes his tune. |
|
|
(He sings) |
| Song: |
|
You will triumph
over all others. |
|
|
No one can deny you your right |
|
|
You
will triumph over others. |
| (They sing and dance for a while and later go away) |
