The Robbers tale

 

A Play

There’s this killer attractive thing about a man who knows how to weave, stroke and stitch words together that drives me soo… I can’t explain! On some level, it is possible that listening to that song ‘I like the way’ by Timaya will give the curious an idea of the mush my brain turns into after interacting with such a man. 

To be clear though, I am not talking about ‘street boys’ with their undersized trousers, excessive crotch grabbing and ridiculous lines. 
I am referring to sensible, mature, brilliant men who bear the prestigious title and fulfil the role of...  *swoons a bit*

... Authors

(Novelist, playwrights, etc.).

Bust and a fan 

Although the list of these lot who are endowed with the amazing ability to make me pull out them clear heels and get my non-existent booty popping (in other words get me to believe in self and potential) is as long as the unfulfilled promises made by "you-know-who", today's focus is on the work of one of my African favourites [which include Femi Osofisan, Ahmed Yerima (the playwright), Wole Soyinka and Ben Okri ] .

The emotions they invoke, the words they preach, their ability to use poetry, satire and music to teach valuable life lessons? 

It is nothing else but magical!

Stage presentation at The Crab, UNIPORT

While I understand it is not always easy to capture the depth of a written piece and compress it into a half hour/forty-five minute production, I have been lucky enough to witness awesome live performances that were vivid, enthralling and captivating. 

Fond memories from stage events I attended growing up include: gorging on popcorn, sweating from every possible orifice and looking out for my current object of affection in the darkened confines of the tiny theatre aptly named the Crab.

About the first encounter...

Now, I do not know if it was because the actors that performed the first presentation I witnessed were delicious looking men and women or if it was because said actors were truly talented or if, maybe it was the pull from the energetic rendition of Keggite-ey songs used to pass time between power outages (trust NEPA) but, whatever the reason, the theatrical performance of the play Once upon Four Robbers by Femi Osofisan is one of the lot I will watch over and over again.

Life in Nigeria is hard. After accepting the fact that ‘take home pay’ can barely take the common man home, it is easy to understand why no regular citizen will be interested in parting with any amount of money in a bid to indulge in 'stimulating entertainment'. 

Common knowledge describes our leaders as corrupt, selfish-forked tongue beings who bleed the nation, destroy what’s good and oppress the oppressed.

While this may or may not be true and it is obvious they have played a significant role in the destruction of our national pride, does this mean they are also the ones responsible for the death of heritage,  values and cultural identity?

Does it have to continue to be so? 

Inspired by folklore and Yoruba symbolism, the play Once upon Four Robbers was written by Femi Osofisan in 1970’s as a moral argument against the practice of public execution of armed robbers in Nigeria. 

It revolves around four characters – Alhaja, Angola, Hasan and Major who are presented with a charm by an Aafa after he is moved by their sob story.

 On the condition that they abide by his three Robin Hood type rules (steal from only the rich, steal in public places, and most importantly never steal a life) the charm gives the four robbers the power to steal from people without meeting any resistance. 
The play features comedy, conflict, betrayal, suspense and depending on the audience a happy ending.

I can vaguely recall the rhythm of the robbers anthem’ Maa jό - maa jό as I type this. I remember laughing my head silly when a victim of the charm pulled her wrapper and gave Hassan to hold so she could fetched the money pouch she had hidden in her underwear (to prevent theft) and my very brief career goal of becoming a thief when I grew up after watching the play.  

Oh and I was in love with the dude that played the Hassan character for a long time (he was a cutie). 
Sadly, the only actor’s name I remember from the many viewings I had is Michael Ogundu (talented fellow by the way).

In 1978 Osofisan wrote the play based on the theory that society was responsible for encouraging issues of unemployment, hunger, hoarding, inflation and embezzlement of public funds. He was more concerned about the causes of armed robbery rather than its consequences on the society. 
Decades later although it is the same problem we are facing, we have chosen to ignore the contributing roles we play and sing instead the “it is the government and politicians that are to blame for the nations decay” chorus. 

The question now is, does government alone determine the choices you make?  
What influence does the million and one churches present in this same government oppressed nation have over their members individual actions and decisions?

If you and your household are seen profiting from simple, honest, innovative ventures will  this terrible government single you out and hunt you for oppression sake?

Here’s an idea, rather than wait for change and lament about expensive and scarce crops produce, why not plant your own? No land? Use a raised bed!

crops planted in a wheelbarrow 

Raised bed from recycled tyres 

Raised bed from a recycled desk drawer

If you decide to park one or more wheelbarrows, damaged buckets or the drawers from a discarded cupboard back to back in a corner of your tiny compound, throw in compost from your household food and paper waste and grow your own pepper, tomatoes, onions and leafy vegetables will the government arrest you for not starving? 

(If body sweet you, you fit sef add another cupboard, expand your "farmland" dey sell small portions of fresh vegetables to the family living across the mile high fence.) 

Government might be to blame for the unsuitable environment for creativity, skills transfer and entrepreneurship but I don’t think we should allow that stop us. 
We the people are the majority together, we are strong.

Nigeria has a diverse culture, a coloured past but rich history. 
This one no be tori ask your older folks or read the remaining history books we have if in doubt.
Once we were passionate, driven and hospitable people today respect is bought. 
While the verdict on our ability to make jest of dire situations is still being debated, we have to learn to be proud of where we are from.

Dear friends hustle oh! 
Hustle hard because there is no denying the economy these days is terrible. Except you are into ***, ******** and/or ****, there is no other option but to hustle. However no matter how much you struggle to make ends meet, if you don't make out time to relax, connect and live, one day you would look into the mirror and wonder at the old, frail and sickly person you have become; too exhausted to spend the wealth you have accumulated.

Today I plead with you, give Nigeria a chance. Be concerned, be interested. Appreciate, interact and engage with this country we call home.

Maa jό!