| Oloko’s
house. He is sitting on a mat, and his face is tattooed with white
emulsion. He is spitting and striking a gong intermittently. At a corner
of the room, there is a demarcation with palm-fronds. Behind it is a
psychic object of divination, which is constantly sending out creaking
sounds. Later Oloko is singing and chanting: |
| Chant: |
|
The man in haste watches the time. |
|
|
The sluggish man watches the seasons. When the wind blows over the
coconut trees, it shakes the leaves. My enemies will destroy themselves. |
| (Enter Ololo. She is followed by someone in a female attire and a veil that
covers the face revealing only the eyeballs. As Ololo leads the way, the
voice is faint and ladylike saying ‘thank you’ at intervals. |
| OLOLO: |
|
My husband, here is a visitor for you. |
|
|
I saw her just in front of the house looking for you. She seems to be
new in this place. |
| OLOKO: |
|
Let her come closer.
Welcome woman. |
|
|
I hope there is no problem. |
| VISITOR: |
|
There is no problem.
I am from across the River Niger, and I have come to see you. Before
getting here, I crossed seven rivers and seven hills. |
| (Ololo
backs off and disappears. The visitor moves closer to Oloko strangely,
trying to unveil) |
| OLOKO: |
|
What is it woman? |
| VISITOR: |
|
(Placing
his finger across his mouth) |
|
|
Sshhhh! Quiet
please! |
|
|
It’s me - The King |
|
|
Don’t be
surprised. I know you must be dazed, but don’t be afraid. |
| OLOKO: |
|
(Quietly)
But why are you in this my lord (Still dazed) |
|
|
What is happening? |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
I transformed
because of some problems. |
|
|
You know that a monkey striving to have a taste of oranges must be in
contact with treetops. |
| OLOKO: |
|
(Still
perturbed) But- |
|
|
But you could have
sent for me my lord. |
|
|
Why didn’t you
call me? |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
No! I cannot do that
in the present situation. (Stares at the entrance to
check if no one is present). |
| OLOKO: |
|
What is it my lord?
I’m in serious dilemma. I can’t understand this, and my psychic object
of divination didn’t predict this. |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
I must check
properly if no one is coming. |
|
|
The wall has ears,
and we should be very careful about it. |
| (Oloko stands up and walks to check
if there is no intrusion. He nods with conviction and walks back to
sit.) |
| OLOKO: |
|
There is no
intrusion. |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
All right then.
Oloko, how many ears have you? |
| OLOKO: |
|
(Still
dazed) Three! No, two. |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
Now listen to me
attentively. Just this morning in my palace, after Adin, your very good
friend, had just given his daughter away to me, the lousy Layabout walked
into my domain to harm me. I suspected Jemi, and Jamu sent him. They aim
to kill me, as Jambu their friend, the previous Bashorun, killed my
predecessor. But I surprised them. I dazed them. Oloko, let me tell you
the truth, I do not have supernatural powers. |
|
|
But my instinct told me and I was right. |
| OLOKO: |
|
What do you want me
to do my lord? |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
I want you, a
versatile medicine man, to make some charms for my personal protection from
the evil of Jemi, Jamu and their errand boys. |
| OLOKO: |
|
I see my lord. But
this is a deadly assignment. |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
What do you mean? |
| OLOKO: |
|
Do
not be angry with me my lord. Jemi and Jami are vast in voodoo, and they
are well known in the kingdom. Their ability to commune with herbs is
unequaled throughout Oyo. But I’ll still do something to help you my
lord. But we should do it with all secrecy. |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
That is true. That
is why I transformed in the first place. |
| OLOKO: |
|
In
that case, I will implore you to go now my lord, before my customers start
coming in. I shall prepare the herbs. |
|
|
All
you have to do is bath thrice daily with the preparation that I will send,
and your enemies are doomed. |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
When are you coming
with the pot? |
| OLOKO: |
|
Me? Come with the
pot? Impossible. |
|
|
When
they see me in the palace, they will suspect me. I’ll send my wife to
you. Her presence will not raise any suspicion. |
| (The
King stands up and puts his finger across his mouth). |
| AMUNIWAYE: |
|
Keep our secret,
secret. |
| (He
covers himself with the veil and walks away) |
| OLOKO: |
|
When the big rat is
seen running away in a sunny afternoon, then something is chasing it. |
| (He begins to
sing) |
| Song: |
|
The big rat |
|
|
We have known your characteristics |
|
|
You entered into a pact with the oracle |
|
|
And you betrayed him |
