CAST
1. Ajaka Alaafin of Oyo and brother of Sango, the Alaafin who was said to be the God of Thunder and lightening
2. Teteoniru -- Medicine man
3. Abitibiti -- Medicine man
4. Alari Baba Isegun -- Medicine man
5. Paku -- Medicine man
6. Elenre -- Medicine man
7. Ijaehin -- Elenre's Wife
8. Oluwo -- Noble
9. Olubi -- Noble
10. Orisawo -- Another Medicine man
11. Awobiyi -- Another Medicine man
12. Asawo -- Another Medicine man
13. Ajike -- A small girl
1st Guard, 2nd Guard, Servant & Executioner
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
This play is based on the story of Ajaka, one of the earliest kings (Alaafin) in Oyo Empire. He was the brother of Sango, the fiery Alaafin who was said to have emitted fire from his mouth whenever he spoke. The Yoruba traditional belief is that Sango is the god of thunder and lightening. He was the husband of Oya, (who transformed to river Niger) one of Africa's biggest rivers.
Though Ajaka was a peaceful king during his first time on the throne, he was a different person during his second reign. He was said to have been more war-like than Sango, his brother. Historical accounts in the History of the Yoruba by Rev. Samuel Johnson edited by Dr. O. Johnson recall that Ajaka had large and well-trained birds, armed with arrows attacked relations of Sango's wife. "The book says, he was so powerful during his second reign that "he engaged in civil wars with 1060 of his chiefs and princes."
This play, The Famished King and The Mystery Head is based on the story about Ajaka during his reign.
SCENE ONE
A typical Yoruba village in Nigeria. Elenre's house is just around the corner. Dressed in herbalist's garment dotted with gourds, charms etc, Elenre is chased out of the building by Ijaehin, his equally powerful wife. She puts on a dress with an array of cowries. As they race on, Ijaehin catches up with him and grabs the seams of his dress. Elenre falls down while trying to extricate, he stands up, staggers and falls again. He stands again and staggers, while she holds on tight.
IJAEHIN;(angrily) Do you think you can escape? What do you take me for? I am not a stranger to you. No man can deceive me. I , Ijaehin- a woman of substance and power. You know me that you cannot escape from me.
ELENRE: Truly, we have a date today in the palace ...... (stammers) my colleagues ..... those who fought in the civil war with me have a date with Kabiyesi.
IJAEHIN: How can I believe that now? For years, you have been on the battlefield. And while you were there, I Ijaehin, the Daughter of the Dewild, stayed here day and night appeasing the gods to make you overcome your enemies and bring you safely home. What did you do after returning home? You forgot those who stood by you and your source of strength. Now, you chase about and want to marry a woman who the gods and the oracle say will bring ill wind. I am not saying you should not marry, again but why should you go for a woman who spells evil?
IJAEHIN: I have known all along that that is your problem.
ELENRE: No matter what you do, you cannot stop me from marrying the woman I want to marry. What evil is the poor lady carrying? You cannot stop me from marrying her
IJAEHIN: (dragging him) Who is asking you not to marry another woman? You can marry as many women as possible. It is your problem. But Ifa Oracle said this woman is not good. Aren't there other beautiful women? Why is it that you must follow this particularly one?
ELENRE: It is my business. I have been at the war front all these years fighting. Now that the war is over shouldn't I add another feather to my cap while I settle down?
IJAEHIN: That woman from your village is a bad feather for you.
ELENRE: Let me go to the palace, first when I return we can talk about this bad feather, whether it belongs to the ostrich, nightingale, raven or crow.
IJAEHIN: It is now we must settle it before you go. You have been trying to avoid this. Why is it that those who are propping you did not see any good person in Oyo. Now they have to bring someone from your village.
(Elenre suddenly frees himself and runs. Ijaehin chases off stage, threatening and cursing, they re-appear later, with Ijaehin closing the gap. She succeeds in holding him and they
resume.)
ELENRE: Leave me alone. I ask you to let me go. I know you did everything for me while I was fighting at the war and for this I have thanked you.
IJAEHIN: What has that got to do with your deceit and secret move to acquire another woman who the gods warn that you should have nothing to do with?
ELENRE: I have told you this is my problem. Is it not the death of war that kills the aggressive man? Why should I be scared of any thing?
IJAEHIN: That you should not be killed vaingloriously by a woman! When we consulted the oracle, it warned that no man will be able to kill you and that you should be careful not to be killed by a woman?
ELENRE: Are you saying you are not a woman? Couldn't you be this woman referred to by the oracle?
IJAEHIN: How can it be me? When I was the one who oiled your lamp to keep it burning while at the battle. For seven days I was at the foot of the Iroko tree propitiating the gods for your safety.
(Elenre suddenly frees himself and escapes. Lost out in the game Ijaehin stays back, alone and talks to the
audience.)
IJAEHIN: Anyway, I have tried my best for you. That is how these men are. You are trying to save the chicken, she accuses you of preventing her from scavenging on the dump.
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