Cast
King Abipa
Olori–King’s wife
Chiefs: Bashorun, Asipa, Alapini, Samu, Laguna, Akinniku
Ologbo–Chief Cymbalist
Bisa–The Head Slave
Babalawo–The Herbalist
Messenger I
Messenger II
Messenger III
1st Man
2nd Man
Hunters: Boni, Alegbata, Igisubu, Loko, Gbandan, Olomo
The Chiefs’ Emissaries: Hunchback, Albino, Leper, A Prognathi, A Dwarf, Cripple
Historical Note
The play is about the reign of King Abipa, the
fourteenth king to rule the Yoruba nation, and the fourth and the last who ruled
in Gboho.
When he ascended the throne, his first effort was to
carry out the last wishes of his father—to remove the seat of government
back to the ancient capital of Oyo from Gboho.
Nobles and those born at Gboho opposed the move but
could not prevent the king from executing the plan. They therefore hatched a
plot to stop the king from carrying out the plan. When they realized the king
was about to send emissaries to appease the gods before occupation, the Chiefs
sent persons considered as unnatural beings suffering the vengeance of the gods.
These emissaries scared the king’s messengers away
as they were about to offer sacrifices. The king’s messengers took them for
spirits and ran away. The news didn’t make the king happy—he became
confused. The Ologbo, the Chief cymbalist quickly advised the king to send
hunters to investigate.
The hunters later found out that the “Spirits”
were actually human beings. They were brought before the king. At the weekly
meeting of the chiefs for the “Jakuta” sacrifices, the king, after the usual
ceremony, surprised his chiefs by sending a calabash full of palm wine by the
hands of the chief’s emissaries.
The stunned chiefs departed without a word as the king
pretended that nothing had happened. As a result, the chiefs showed their
resentment by poisoning the Ologbo. The king showed his love for the Ologbo by
ordering a semi-state burial. From this incident, the king was tagged, ‘The
Ghost Catcher.’
Part One
Scene One
|
A typical
palace of a Yoruba King. The walls are decorated with beautiful
engravings. He sits on the high throne overlooking his Chiefs who are
sitting on small stools listening to his with rapt attention. Standing at
the back of the king is Ologbo – the chief cymbalist. |
| KING ABIPA: |
My people, this is the time of decision. Nothing’s
stopping us. Oyo is a reality. When do we proceed? |
| BASHORUN: |
(bows) May you live long. Going back
there might be as illusory as a mirage. Igboho should come to stay. For
years, our fathers dwelt here. And you… my lord… you are the fourth
ruler. (The chiefs murmur, stare at each other.
They mutter some words and shrug their shoulders). |
| ASIPA: |
(bows) Oh! Bashorun is right. This movement will only
amount to the greatest disturbance ever. Eguoju, Orompoto and Ajiboyede
from there (points to the throne) controlled their subjects without hindrance. The journey to Oyo will not
only be hazardous… but very unnecessary and unwarranted. |
|
(The chiefs nod) |
| ALAPINI: |
(puffs, clears his throat)
They’ve spoken well my Lord. The idea of going to Oyo is naive. Oyo’s
now a wilderness |
| CHIEFS: |
Wilderness! |
| ALAPINI: |
Yes wilderness. |
| KING ABIPA: |
Keep quiet. Hold your peace. I asked you… who owns the
horse? You said Gbadamosi rode it. You haven’t answered my question.
When do we proceed? |
|
(There is an uneasy calm) |
|
…so my question deserves no answer. Today, ‘am sitting
on the throne of my forefathers. When fire dies, it covers its face with
ashes, when a plantain tree dies; it replaced itself with its offspring.
My father, before he went to the great beyond wished us back in Oyo. This,
wish of his must be respected. |
|
(The chiefs grumble) |
| AKINIKU: |
(Stands up grudgingly)
Well said my lord. |
|
But… but… |
| KING ABIPA: |
(boils) But
what? To dishonour my father’s wish? |
| AKINIKU: |
(touches his forehead)
No King. But are the people ready to go? They’ve entrenched in the nooks
of Gboho. Their trade flourished… don’t’ you think any attempt to
move them from here might… |
| BASHORUN: |
(interrupts) Well
said Akiniku – let us ask ourselves. Are the people ready to return to
Oyo? My answer is no. ‘Am not saying that the king shouldn’t respect
his father’s wish. Am only saying that we ought to be cautious. |
| LAGUNA: |
At least… we celebrated Bebe here. |
| ASIPA: |
That is true. |
| ALAPINI: |
We
aren’t been attacked or forced to move |
| BASHORUN: |
Even if we were. There are ways and methods of flushing
back aggressors. |
|
|
| SAMU |
My lord, one has to be realistic. Or we will end up being
shadow-chasers. Eguoju lived and ruled well in this very land. So did
Orompoto and Ajibayede. Yours shouldn’t be different. |
| LAGUNA: |
You have spoken well Samu. In their days things were
splendid. |
|
May we continue to live in such peace and harmony. |
|
(The
King shakes his head in astonishment. He tries to speak, holds himself and
looks at the chiefs. He again shakes his head.) |
| BASHORUN: |
(frowns) I
can’t… can’t … understand. |
| SAMU |
You are not the only one Bashorun |
| AKINIKU: |
I’m yet to grasp. |
| ASIPA: |
At this time? To return to Oyo? Why? What is the real
motive, behind this? |
| Bashorun: |
Certainly none. Except… |
| ASIPA: |
May be unseen inspirations. |
| KING ABIPA: |
(cuts in sharply)
Hold it everyone. I will not tolerate any act of insolence. I think I’ve
been explicit enough. Wish of you doesn’t want his sons to take over his
affairs when his time expires. What then is wrong with my wanting to
continue from where my father stopped? (The
chiefs kept quiet, stealing frequent glances at each other, Launa winks,
Ologbo notices and frowns). |
| KING ABIPA: |
What is that Bashorun? |
| BASHORUN: |
(surprisingly)
Nothing. Nothing at all. |
| KING ABIPA: |
‘Am sure, if you were in my shoes, you won’t wait for
the sum to set after the death of my father before acting. Even if I have
delayed carrying out my father’s wish, I’ll still carry it out. One,
who leaves his head to cater for another man’s head, leaves his own for
the eagle to carry away. Not me. I shan’t. |
| BASHORUN: |
But my
Lord… what about mobilization? |
| KING ABIPA: |
Mobilization? Simple. There’s an effective plan. I will
tell you later. |
| BASHORUN: |
… it will not be easy. But if your highness has a plan,
I’ve no objection. When the snail craws, the shell follows. I’ve no
doubt, the chiefs are ready. |
| KING ABIPA: |
Let me inform you that I will send some people there to
inspect. They will appease the Gods and check the fitness of the place for
habitation. |
| BASHORUN: |
We shan’t relent in our support for you until everything
is settled my lord. |
| SAMU: |
Yes. We shan’t. |
| ASIPA: |
Oyo is a reality. |
| KING ABIPA: |
Yes. It is. In the absence of other deliberations, you can
depart. Meanwhile, I want you to start informing the people on a
house-to-house basis before the town crier strikes his gong. Your
co-operation – that’s all I demand. When all hands are put together,
the load is lifted. As I’ve secured your unanimity, happiness shall
belong to us all. |
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