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| 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.).
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| 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!
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| 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!
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| crops planted in a wheelbarrow |
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| Raised bed from recycled tyres |
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| 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.
