[1]

[2]

IZODUWA

(THE TWIST

OF A

DYNASTY)

A Historical play from Benin

BY

ODU DYKE MARTIN

[3]

IZODUWA Copyright reserved

ISBN: 978-978-087-093-5

This book may not be copied or reprinted

for

Commercial gain or profit or use for any

other

Purpose except with the prior request and

permission

Obtained from the author.

First Published in 2008

Published by 4sight International

Publication

A Division of 4sight International

GSM: 0806 464 8485, 0805 800 3500

Printed By

4sight Publication

A Division of 4sight International

32, Mission Road, Benin City.

GSM: 0808 333 3421

[4]

DEDICATION Dedicated to his Majesty

the Oba of Benin,

Omo n’ Oba n’ Edo, Uku

Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

[5]

FOREWARD Theatre craft as an art always draws from

the society where It is domicile. To this

effect, the cultural antecedents, issues

arising from co-existence and or co-

habitation are some of the pre-occupations

of the artist in an attempt to articulate

events that informs the harmony or conflict

of that society.

The aesthetic concepts and philosophies

of the society are equally of great essence

in such articulations.

“Izoduwa” as a play is one of such artistic

effort geared towards articulating a

historical event that borders on the conflict

of relationship in Benin kingdom.

In most societies, there are subverters and

arbitrators. “Izoduwa” presents an insight

[6]

to such twist in co-existence. This

therefore informs Barrister Odu’s effort to

explore the famous “Igodomigodo” myth of

the Ogiso Dynasty, to expose to a larger

reading audience the aesthetic and the

artistic values of that era.

I commend this text and recommend same

to searchers and philosophic minds.

Osuya Obianeue (Ph.D)

Head of Department,

Theatre Arts,

University of Benin.

[7]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My foremost thanks go to the Almighty for

inspiring me. And also a big “thank you” to

my father-in-law, for giving me the vision.

My thanks also go to His Excellency Dr. S.

O. Ogbemudia for giving me a pat on the

shoulder that hastened my literal stride in

this direction.

I will at this point not fail to thank my wife

for all her assistance in the course of this

write up. I doff my hat to the Director and

chief choreographer of Alele Cultural

group, Bridget Idale Iyen and Mr. Lucky

Izevbuwa for supplying the Benin songs

used. Also, to share in this accolade is Mr.

Godwin Malasowe for the Yoruba songs.

I will not relent in giving a shout-out to all

members of 4sight International for putting

the pieces together.

[8]

Finally, I will not drop my pen without

acknowledging Mr. Chuks Celestine Iyade

for his mastery in the type setting and

packaging of this work.

Once again, “A hearty thanks” to you all.

Odu Martin, Esq.

[9]

IZODUWA

THE TWIST OF A DYNASTY

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

NARRATOR

OGISO OWODO King of Igodomigodo

PRINCE EKALADERHAN Son of Ogiso Owodo

CHIEF EVIAN Administrator of igodomigodo

CHIEF OLIHA

CHIEF ERO Chiefs of Igodomigodo

CHIEF EDOHEN

FIRST WOMAN Women of Igodomigodo

SECOND WOMAN

FIRST GUARD

SECOND GUARD Royal Guards

THIRD GUARD

EGBE

IFA Elders of Ife

CROWD, DANCERS AND SERVANTS

[10]

SITUATION 1

Benin Song

Ebe re gbon Izuwa Khare

Izoduwa mwen

(ekaladeran ……………….. )

(ekaladiro ………………….. )4x

Urho …………………………..

Edenabioe

Amen maro o

Oven Mayumwu o

English

Nothing is dangerous as

I move for my wealth

Ekaladeran was born

The day when there was no rain and no

sun

When everything was peaceful.

[11]

NARRATOR

I am the father of time, time past and

present. (Looks down at himself and

laughs). As for my regalia, they are in

calico because of age (pointing to the

crowd in front of him).

Mind you, I still foresee tomorrow, but I am

not a diviner, I only tell stories the way it is

to children like you (withdraws to himself),

I don’t mean to be abusive, but who among

you is older than time? Who saw the ogiso

dynasty and the very last of that era?

(laughs sheepishly). Do you know Ogiso

Owodo, do you? (laughs again). You see,

I told you, you are all children.

Perhaps you know little of the story I am to

tell you, I will advise you pretend not

knowing anything at all. Socrates once

said that “the best knowledge is to know

that we know nothing”. I am only quoting

him, I am not mortal, he was not referring

to me in any way, but you.

[12]

Oh! I almost forgot, as for my look, they

lack the expression of age, at least not like

yours. Though time is synonymous to

change, and my look plays along that

corridor of the drifting tides of time, but the

mystery remains that I never grow old or

die, for I am immortal.

Now listen, I will tell you the story of a great

kingdom called Igodomigodo. It began

sometime in the 10th century AD when the

ogiso dynasty started. But my story takes

effect between the 11th and 12th century AD

which witnessed the last of the Ogiso

Dynasty.

My story goes like this:-(solemn songs at

the Palace as diviners were seen seated

on their mats consulting. With the king

seated on his flamboyant throne keenly

watching with great anticipation).

[13]

Benin song

Ikhianyandanmwen ebomwen

Edonabimien

(ehiorobo ghowa e)

(ehie ro bo ghowa e)

English

I have gone to test the power

Given to me by the spirit

We were born the someday.

OGISO OWODO: (mutters to himself) the gods

are angry and must be

appeased, (shifting from one

edge of his regal seat to the

other as his patience

gradually burns out) are you

all going to keep me waiting

[14]

all day long like a housewife

breaking melon?

CHIEF EDOHEN: (apologetically) your

Majesty, a little patience will

see us through, the diviners

are rounding up their

findings. This task is

demanding, but nothing is

too difficult that search can’t

find your Majesty (he goes

back to the diviners )

CHIEF ERO: (After a while, walk up to the

king) we are through with

the exercise your Majesty,

but the findings when

reduced to words are heavy,

very heavy like an overdue

pregnancy.

OGISO OWODO: the toad does not believe in

procrastination that is why it

cut off his tail (he laughs).

Can anything be heavier

than the assignment that will

keep the dynasty alive?

[15]

CHIEF ERO: no your Majesty, but….

OGISO OWODO: (interjects). Ehen! But me

no but Chief Ero. My ears

are open, I hate suspense

and lack patience, it

surprises me that you have

forgotten that in a hurry ……

CHIEF EDOHEN: (interposing), your Majesty,

I understand your

impatience, the pain and

agony you feel, what affects

the eyes also affects the

nose. We feel what you feel,

we share in your pain, it’s

just that the woodpecker

can pack all wood but

cannot peck stone. The god

forbid that we should

destroy a kingdom to built a

kingdom.

OGISO OWODO: (getting angrier), if I

understand your riddles,

you are challenging what

[16]

ever the gods must have

said? (pause) how dare you

challenge what Osanobua

creeds, are you wiser than

the giver of wisdom? (rising

to his feet). What are you

two up to, have I sent for

these diviners only to be

kept in suspense in the web

of an absurd loyalty you

profess? (Pointing at both

Chiefs angrily)

CHIEF ERO: (both Chief prostrates

apologetically) forgive our

indolence your Majesty, we

didn’t mean it that way, it

was our shock and fear that

made numb our senses.

CHIEF EDOHEN: yes your Majesty, forgive

us, it was the report of these

diviners that stirred up the

dust of confusion within us.

OGISO OWODO: (taking his seat), I presume

that dust was meant for me.

[17]

I hold the four aces of this

matter. (relax) Now tell me

Chief Edohen, how

repulsive are these words,

are they as repulsive as to

deafen the ears that hears

it?

CHIEF EDOHEN: no your Majesty, it will only

quake the ears.

OGISO OWODO: (grimes). Then stability is

certain to follow. So split it

out, tell me, what was the

report?

CHIEF EDOHEN: your Majesty, they have all

spoken in one language.

They said that …… That

CHIEF ERO: your Majesty, they said the

only way you can have male

children is for you to

sacrifice your only son to the

gods.

[18]

CHIEF EDOHEN: Your Majesty, the people

will not like it.

OGISO OWODO: (in thought), neither do I.

CHIEF EDOHEN: your Majesty, you have to

be very careful in this matter

because when a bird

perches on a rope, neither

the bird nor the rope would

be at rest.

OGISO OWODO: (absent mindedly) he is my

son, the Prince of

Igodomigodo.

CHIEF ERO: yes that’s what makes the

difference my lord, for it is

not all woods that can be

pecked.

OGISO OWODO: what different !, Is there any

sacrifice too great for our

kingdom? A seed must die

first for a bigger yam to

sprout. No matter how big a

[19]

tree is, it must bow to the

wind when it passes by. The

gods have spoken, though I

love Ekaladerhan with all

my heart, my hands are tied

in this matter and the wishes

of the gods must be

executed.

CHIEF ERO: (looking very sad) your

Majesty, we are your

kinsmen, your

ambassadors and your

administrators in the affairs

of this great kingdom, and

so, you must not despise

our advice, that reflect the

mind of the people.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (quickly adds) you must

realize my lord, that two

heads they say are better

than one.

OGISO OWODO: two good heads Edohen!,

two good heads!! (Adjusting

his position on his seat).

[20]

Now let’s look at it your own

way, tell me the two of you,

if you were to be in my

shoes what would you have

done?

CHIEF EDOHEN: my king, it is not that I

undermine the voice of the

gods but to hear and act in

ignorance is to throw away

caution and virtue.

Remember the saying that

he who the gods will

destroy, he will first make

mad. The gods should not

be destroying a kingdom to

build one.

CHIEF ERO: you already have Prince

Ekaladerhan as heir

apparent to the throne, what

more? Will it be wise to sow

a whole tuber of yam in

anticipation of a giant tuber

in a beetle infested

farmland?

[21]

CHIEF EDOHEN: your Majesty, with Prince

Ekaladerhan, your lineage

shall continue and the

dynasty will remain with the

Ogiso’s.

OGISO OWODO: (with a tone of finality), I

have heard you both, but I

will not contend with the

gods. I believe in Osanobua

and I revere him a lot. It is

he who gives and also

takes. If he chooses to

desert me, then it is well.

With regards to this matter, I

shall not go back on my

words, for I have crossed

the rubicon and there is no

turning back. Tomorrow,

Ekaladerhan shall be taken

to the borders of this

kingdom to be sacrificed, his

blood must not be spilled on

the land lest curse falls on

Igodomigodo.

[22]

Benin song

Iyogho, yogho, yogho, yogho

Iyogho, yogho, yogho, yogho

Iyogho, yogho, yogho, yogho

Iyogho, yogho, yogho, yogho

Ehimwen lahor nudokioya me o ehio

Evbaguehiomwanta nadoruvbye

English

Life is so rough and complex

What we ask from God is what we

Get in life.

Light out

Situation 2

NARRATOR

[23]

The night that dawn for the implementation of a

base act never lasts long. The king has ordered

that Prince Ekaladerhan be taken captive. He

decided not to send Chief Ero and Chief Edohen

on this crucial errand as he believes that they

were already biased. Instead, he sent Chief

Oliha and three royal guards to execute the

deed, taking along with them, were other items

for the sacrifice.

The Queen cried for her son, but no amount of

tears could change the king’s decision, though

emotion found a sate within him, for he truly

loved his son. A child he has groomed with all

regal wisdom and skill, a child that has grown to

a full fledge man with the stature of a warrior,

huge and strong, a young version of Ogiso

Owodo, it was this emotion that ate him deep,

but it was not enough to break his resistance.

Ekaladerhan left the Palace grudgingly not for

anything, but for the pain of seeing his mother

cry over his predicament.

Benin song

Aigbe mwen aimuwen

[24]

Aigbe mwen aimuwen

Omwan ne ogbe ekaladerhan na omo

Ogbe granmwen naire aigbemwen

Aimumwen Ekaladerhan o urho

Ehimwen sumwen sumwen o. ehio

Ehimwen sumwen sumwen o. ehio

Tabiogiega aitie o vbokhan

Aisagbon riogio iguehimwen duwa mwen oe

Ekaladerhan o. urho

Evbowaghe )3x

Umievbagbon ru

English

No one dare kills me

No one dare hunt me

Who ever make attempt

To do will never succeed,

No one dare hunt me and no one dare kill me

Deity’s I called to guide me

Deity’s I called to guide me

King is king from creation

Whether small because

I paid dues to my deity’s

I Ekaladerhan the peaceful.

The people should come and

See what they have turn

[25]

Me to in my father’s land Igodo

Benin Song

Ekaladehan Oyuluo,

Ekaladehan Oyuluo (2x)

Meghi mene Ojie no be mwen

Amen ghitolo

Orue n ghi yimwon

Kpako na la muwien Isogiso

English

Ekaladehan is dead

I will not mind my parents

It will not rain here

It will not sun here

Draught will abound in

Ogiso’s Palace.

EKALADERHAN: (moving in chains), I am

tired; I must rest and eat (he

drops to the ground)

FIRST GUARD: (turning to Chief Oliha),

Chief we still have about

[26]

one week to get to the

borders of Igodomigodo,

should we sojourn here or

continue?

CHIEF OLIHA: a dying man must not be

ostracized for any reason;

he should be allowed to

enjoy all his wishes. If the

Prince is tired, then we must

have to stop here for now.

SECOND GUARD: as it pleases you my lord

(bowing to the Chief).

EKALADERHAN: (as he eats), life sometimes

could be an irony of pain

where the master suddenly

becomes the servant.

CHIEF OLIHA: (nods his head in

agreement), it is often the

design of the gods not man.

EKALADERHAN: (declining his head), he that

drags the goat to the market

will also enter the market.

[27]

CHIEF OLIHA: whatever you mean, I am

only carrying out an order

and nothing more.

EKALADERHAN: yes, an order to sacrifice

the Prince to the gods, (he

pause) but this type of

mission is meant for Chief

Ezomo isn’t it ?.

CHIEF OLIHA: (beginning to get uneasy),

well Chief Ezomo is

indisposed at the moment,

besides your father lacks

confidence in him with

regards to this particular

mission.

EKALADERHAN: it’s unfortunate.

CHIEF OLIHA: you mean Chief Ezomo’s

illness?

EKALADERHAN: (looking at him straight in

the eyes) no, the virtue of

[28]

your conviction and

commitment to orders.

THIRD GUARD: Chief, are we suppose to be

conversing with him?

CHIEF OLIHA: (angrily). What’s wrong with

you? He is still our Prince for

as long as he lives, so cure

yourself of that diarrhea you

have in the mouth.

THIRD GUARD: I am sorry Chief (turn to the

Prince) forgive me my lord.

CHIEF OLIHA: (ignoring the guard) but it

was your father’s order

(pointing at the Prince) in all

his wisdom. Besides, I took

an oath of allegiance to be

loyal and submissive to the

throne in my servitude and

for this singular reason, like

the bees, I have chosen to

make that industry my

amusement.

[29]

EKALADERHAN: not at the expense of truth

and Justice Chief Oliha.

Prudence they say, is the

footprint of wisdom (lifting

his finger emphatically).

Remember that a man’s

temper often destroys the

wit that lies within him and

becloud his sense of

reasoning. My father’s

anger has made him myopic

in taking decisions. Chief

Oliha, Can you be happy in

the meaner drudgeries of

life?, can you look at the sky

at night and see beyond the

star?, tell me Oliha, can

your soul claim relationship

with Osanobua? If yes, then

what is the true conception

of sacrifice?

CHIEF OLIHA: (feeling impressed). Every

man is a volume, if only you

know how to read him. I

admire greatly your wisdom

and courage, you don’t

[30]

speak like a man who is

about to be sacrificed to the

gods, and your advance

riddles baffles me. As for

your questions, I believe in

Osanobua and your father’s

patriotism to Igodomigodo.

He loves you but owes a

greater love to

Igodomigodo.

EKALADERHAN: death is only a transition to

a higher plane; I do not hate

my father for carrying out

the wishes of the gods. I

know he loves me.

Ignorance with love is better

than wisdom without it. But I

still frown at his inability to

understand the type of

sacrifice the gods have

commanded. (the guards

begin to take interest in the

discussion. They draw

nearer and sit beside Chief

Oliha). As the weather is

cleared by the wind, so also

[31]

the words of the gods are

confirmed from the mouth of

two or three diviners. Some

sacrifice are killed (he

inclines his head), some are

burnt while others are

thrown away as cast

offering. It was for this

reason I asked if you can

look up to the sky at night

and see beyond the stars,

and also, whether you

believe in the gods of our

fathers, because to imagine

that he will destroy a sacred

gift is nothing but a

disguised folly.

CHIEF OLIHA: (looking remorse) I do

believe in the gods Prince

Ekaladerhan.

EKALADERHAN: then ask them to open your

eyes, and speak to you in a

language you will always

understand. No wise man

will try the depth of a river

[32]

with his two legs, as the

consequences might cause

him his life. Ignourance is

not an excuse to the gods

and it’s consequence

cannot be assuaged. I have

been destined to be great,

greater than Owodo my

father, I know the gods are

taking me some ………….

CHIEF OLIHA: (interpose as he gets to his

feet) the gods forbid!

EKALADERHAN: (stands, and advances

towards the Chief Oliha) no

my brother, it is not a taboo;

it is our prayer that a son

should be greater than his

father.

FIRST GUARD: (surprise). My lord, are you

saying that ……………

EKALADERHAN: (continuing as they both sit).

They have already ordered

my exit, but my defiance has

[33]

kept me to this time.

Whatever the

consequences of my

obstinacy, I know Osanobua

is forever merciful to his

children.

CHIEF OLIHA: (Aping the words of the

Prince) some sacrifices are

killed, some burnt, while

others are thrown away.

EKALADERHAN: (the Prince continues) when

the gods order a wise man

to move, he ought to ask,

which direction.

SECOND GUARD: my lord (referring to

Chief Oliha) I had this

dream three days back

when a certain old man was

warning me not to lay hands

on the Prince of

Igodomigodo, pointing at

the Prince who was clothed

on a flamboyant royal rob

[34]

with a kingly make up that I

have never seen all my life.

THIRD GUARD: (laughing) Osaro! Stop

telling fallacious stories.

How come you never said it

until now?

SECOND GUARD: Imade, you just have to

believe me. Then, I thought

it was just a mere dream

borne by the figment of my

imagination, as I have never

desired from the onset to

partake in the killing of the

Prince.

THIRD GUARD: but here you are with us to

kill the Prince.

SECOND GUARD: (beginning to get

uncomfortable ) do I have a

choice?

CHIEF OLIHA: (interposes) we are all tied

with the same rope, we

have no choice in this

[35]

matter, to refuse Owodo’s

command is tantamount to

death.

THIRD GUARD: (moves closer to Oliha) my

lord what do we do now?

CHIEF OLIHA: (pause, then turns to the

guards) we shall agree upon

one thing, that is, not to

have our hands soiled with

Prince Ekaladerhan’s blood.

We shall carry him (pointing

to the Prince) to the borders

of Igodomigodo and set him

free, thereafter, we shall all

take oath to keep our lips

sealed about the act as long

as we live (they all nod in

agreement and continue

their journey).

Light out.

[36]

SITUATION 3

Yoruba song

Ta lo sope anibaba

Kail ani baba

Baba lon ja ni oke

Ani baba

Atorun ohun bi ona bole

Kail ani baba

Ewo biosuwon

E f’ oye si

[37]

English

Who says we have no father?

Kail! We have a father

Father fights from above

Kail! We have a father

Father’s leg stretch from above down to the

earth

Kail! We have a father

He appears like a moon

He adds beauty to our lives.

NARRATOR

After Ekaladerhan was secretly set free, he

travelled for months in the heart of the forest,

and sojourned in a place where he built his tent

until some wild Benin hunters stumbled into him.

Suspecting that they might tell his father of their

findings, he left the settlement and headed

westward.

As he had predicted, the hunters reported their

discovery, upon which the Ogiso sent the

hunters and soldiers to go and arrest him. But

[38]

when they got there, the Prince had left, and for

fear, the search team could not return to Ogiso

Owodo and so, they settled in the place, which

they named Ughoton. The settlement was also

called Igue Ekaladerhan. Which mean the land

of Ekaladerhan.

Ekaladerhan’s further flight landed him in Uhe,

which is also called Ife. Here he renamed

himself “Izoduwa”, which means, “I have chosen

the path to prosperity”, for he attained great

fortune among the Yoruba people.

(a short Yoruba song is heard).

Yoruba song

Oduwa ona ‘lu

Are agbekelowo

Atoro ohun bieni bo’le

Okunrin sisi loru

Iro agbowa oko iroko

English

Oduwa, the unfathomable granite

Lord, that must be obeyed

Like a thief- demander of absolutes Unrushed in

deep

[39]

Mysteries of night

To hear you is only the beginning, responding to

you in person,

A prudent reaction

You- lord of the giant iroko tree itself

EKALADERHAN: (in a monologue as he sees

a settlement) who are these

people; certainly they are

not my own brothers (incline

his head to the sky).

Osanobua is wonderful; he

has finally led me to another

world. Who would have

believed that there is

existence outside

Igodomigodo? (at this

instance, the people notice

him and advance towards

him in awe, lying down flat

before him, pouring

encomium, and repeatedly

saying, “kabiesi oluwa-wa”)

EGBE: (bows). My lord, greetings

on behalf of my people and

[40]

permit me to ask sir, where

are you from?

EKALADERHAN: I am an Ogiso, I am from the

sky transiting from the

Kingdom of Igodomigodo

(they all exclaimed and start

muttering words to

themselves).

IFA: Permit me to ask my lord where

is Igodo……..

EKALADERH : Oh! the other world, and Who

are you (pointing at Egbe)

and where is this place?

EGBE: (placing his hand on his

chest) I am Baba Egbe, the

leader of these people

(throwing his hands wide

apart towards the people)

and this is the home of Ife

called Ile-Ife your Majesty.

We belong to the Yoruba

tribe and our fathers had led

a vagrant life until now.

[41]

IFA: (interpose) and we have

chosen not to migrate

anymore, but to make this

place our permanent home

thus the appellation ‘Ile’

your Majesty.

EGBE: (advances towards

Ekaladerhan) you are

welcome home my lord.

EKALADERHAN: (surprise). Home! But……

IFA: (interpose). Your Majesty,

your presence here is not by

chance, it has been

predestined by the gods of

our ancestors. I have the

premonition that they have

sent you to us on a mission,

to emancipate the people

(pointing at the crowd). Your

people … (just then, a

poisonous snake coils

round one of the women,

and her panic cry interrupts

[42]

their discussion, and they all

ran towards the victim)

EKALADERHAN: (on getting to the scene, he

make some incantations,

and uses his bare hands to

remove and kill the snake,

and using a leaf to rub the

spot where the snake bit

her). You have to be more

careful next time. (he tells

the woman).

EGBE: (surprise) I have never seen

such a great skill all my life!

Ordinarily that lady would

have died by now, but for

what you administered.

(pause) the antecedence of

your coming is not a fluke,

my lord, you truly must be a

god sent down to us …

EKALADERHAN: (almost immediately) the

gods forbids it that I accept

those credits, you cloth me

with the garments of the

[43]

gods, I am only a

messenger (he shakes his

head in disapproval). I

cannot steal the master’s

glory am only but a mortal.

IFA: as a messenger, then you

are gods surrogate among

us here in Ife …..

EGBE: If so, your Majesty, I am not

far from the truth, you are a

demi god sent down to dwell

among us.

EKALADERHAN: (In whisper, to no one in

particular) perhaps this was

why a kingdom was

sacrificed.

EGBE: (awakening his

consciousness) your

Majesty, I have resolved, we

the people of Ife, have

chosen that you shall reign

over us (with a gesture

pointing at the people), our

[44]

wealth and kingdom are

now yours to saddle, where

you direct we will go, what

you command we will do,

please, crown over us.

IFA: (with a wide grime) the great

one of Ife what do we call

you?

EKALDERHAN: (in shock), your king? But I

am only a stranger who has

just arrived ……

IFA: (looking disappointed as he

interjects) does it matter? In

one second life is either

gained or lost. Besides,

nothing is impossible with

the gods, if they want it, they

creed it, and if they creed it,

who is man to stop a divine

wish? your Majesty this has

been predestined before

now and neither of us can

change it.

[45]

EGBE: (persuasively), great one!

You are no longer a

stranger among us. This

day I give you the hand of

my daughter Okambi in

marriage, she is as beautiful

as Wura and as dazzling as

Fadaka. She will be the

mother of your children and

Queen mother to the throne.

IFA: so now, what do we call you

great one?

EKALADERHAN: “Izoduwa”

EGBE: (smilling) I-z-o-d-u-w-a (he

emphasize) it sounds like

Oduduwa, a name in

Yoruba dialect, which

means the ability to effect

and reconstruct physical

reality at will, but What is the

meaning of “I-z-o-d-u-w-a”

great one?

[46]

EKALADERHAN: it simply means I have

chosen the path to

prosperity.

EGBE: (feeling impress) it is well

your Majesty, our

prosperities are yours to

wheel. Seven days from

today, there shall be a

ceremony to cap your

coronation and joining in

matrimony of you and my

daughter.

Yoruba song

Oya

Eje kalo

At anile at’ a lajo

At amode o, at’agba

Wa je ka jo

Fun oba wa

English

Its time

Let us all go

Get ready get ready

Every young and old

[47]

Come let us

Dance for our new king

Light out

SITUATION 4

Benin song

Ogiemwan

Aigbe tihimwian o

Aigbozi gbeken o

Hun!)2x

Ogiso lahoo aigbe ovbiokhuo

Aigbee vbowieo

Aigbee vbavan

Aigbee vbota weghiyereo

Aigbe ovbiokhuo.

English

Our king we are appealing

Do not kill the innocent

[48]

It is forbidden to kill a pregnant woman

Not in the morning

Not in the afternoon

Not in the evening

Remember don’t kill.

NARRATOR

The land of Igodomigodo is no longer what it

used to be. That tranquil and serene

atmosphere which it used to know has suddenly

disappeared as the king’s scepter is now being

misplaced in tyranny.

The people were under the weight of humiliation

and oppression, this clog against the people’s

general will and liberty, has been tolerated until

their patience snapped and their resistance was

build up.

OGISO OWODO: has those guards been

remanded in prison?

[49]

CHIEF EDOHEN: yes your Majesty, (pause)

But, I still think my lord

is taking it too hard on

the people.

CHIEF ERO: It’s true your Majesty, the

people are not happy about

……

OGISO OWODO: (interjects angrily). And they

have made the two of you

their representatives and

mouthpiece? (laughs) do

not eat the coconut that your

stomach cannot digest

(pointing at them).

CHIEF ERO: god forbid that we do such a

thing your Majesty, it is just

that when a man dances, it

is the ovation of spectators

that tells him when he is

doing well.

OGISO OWODO: (laughs) I have not even

started yet, they complain.

[50]

CHIEF EDOHEN: (looking solemn) your

Majesty, we are your eyes

and ears out there (pointing)

and as an advocate, it is our

duty to tell you how the

people feel.

CHIEF ERO: your Majesty, until death do

part, the tortoise shell will

ever remain with the

tortoise. We shall never

betray you.

CHIEF EDOHEN: yes your Majesty, the gods

forbid that another should

contend the seat of your

throne, we can never betray

you but we will stand with

you till the end.

OGISO OWODO: whatever, your loyalty

remains immaterial to

me, I am the Iroko, and

he who tries to shake

the iroko tree only

succeeds in shaking

his own head.

[51]

CHIEF EDOHEN: your Majesty is angry with

us.

OGISO OWODO: (smiling dryly), angry!,

far from it. I only

meant that the

Chameleon is not afraid of

any colour because he is a

master of all colours, that’s

all. (sits upright and clears

his throat). Now what

business do we have next

Ero?

CHIEF ERO: your Majesty we have two

women representatives

waiting outside the Palace.

OGISO OWODO: must they see me before

going to the harem?

CHIEF ERO: not that your Majesty, they

want to see you personally.

OGISO OWODO: (surprise) what for?

[52]

CHIEF EDOHEN: (clears his throat), it is over

the death pronouncement

placed on Ekpoliyeke.

OGISO OWODO: what do they have to say,

have they come to question

my authority?

CHIEF ERO: it is wise that my lord should

listen to what they have to

say.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (interjects) yes your

Majesty, they may not

intend what you think.

Please give them the

opportunity to speak my

lord.

OGISO OWODO: (curtly) send them in (two

guards goes out and brings

the women in almost

immediately, they both

greeted in the traditional

manner and remained on

their knees, but the king

[53]

only nods in

acknowledgment)

FIRST WOMAN: your Majesty, we have not

come to see you on our

own, but on behalf of all the

women of Igodomigodo.

SECOND WOMAN: your Majesty, do not see

our coming as an affront on

your authority, the gods

forbid that we do such an

abominable act.

OGISO OWODO: (impatient). Please say what

has brought you here.

SECOND WOMAN: the women are not

concerned about the

gravity of Ekpoliyeke’s

offence and punishment,

but what they are

concerned about and solicit

for, is that she should not

be executed with the

innocent child in her womb.

[54]

OGISO OWODO: (angry) what an

abomination! A slap on the

face will be more tolerable

than this type of insult.

(Pointing to the women)

your enclave has suddenly

become too small for you

that you have chosen to

now question ………

FIRST WOMAN: (frighten and tense-up).

Your Majesty, we have only

come to solicit for your

mercy on the unborn child

in the womb of the

condemned woman.

OGISO OWODO: mercy! (nods his head

angrily) first thing tomorrow

morning that woman shall

be executed and her death

shall serve as a deterrent to

all those who dare me and

choose the path of evil (to

Chief Edohen) show them

out before I lose my temper

further (turns to Chief Ero)

[55]

imagine this type of

embarrassment.

SECOND WOMAN: (the women on their way

out speaking to

themselves) I wonder what

has suddenly become of

our Ogiso; he was not like

this before now.

FIRST WOMAN: the betrayal of the guards

must have ignited his high

handedness.

SECOND WOMAN: (stop suddenly) but it was

the men and not the entire

kingdom that offended him.

The hen should not be

holding a grudge with the

pot that cooked her instead

of the knife that killed her.

FIRST WOMAN: even so, come to think of it

my sister, will it be wise for

a man to sacrifice the eye

balls just to maintain the

eyebrow?, the king erred

[56]

when he took the decision

to sacrifice his only son.

SECOND WOMAN: I don’t know again o,

otemwen! But what can we

do?

FIRST WOMAN: there is little or nothing we

can do in this matter my

sister for the king will

always have his way.

SECOND WOMAN: well, I pray that Osanobua

intervenes in this matter as I

wonder what the people’s

reaction will be upon the

execution tomorrow.

Light out.

[57]

SITUATION 5

NARRATOR

Ogiso Owodo was banished from the kingdom

after the execution of Ekpoliyeke, and an

administrator was appointed to oversee the

affairs of the kingdom in the interim.

However, problem arose when the administrator

proposed to make his son Irebor Ogiamen, heir

apparent to the throne when he dies.

It was in this regard that this convergence was

necessitated.

CHIEF EVIAN: my people, I greet you all. I

have summoned you all

here to discuss a serious

issue, which no doubt we

are all aware of. Tears do

not prevent a man from

seeing (stops suddenly)

were are the other Chiefs,

[58]

where they not informed of

this meeting?

CHIEF OLIHA: they were all well informed

your Highness, but decline

to come, saying it’s a

meeting motivated for

conspiracy and they will not

be party to it.

CHIEF EVIAN: (nodding his head) what a

play of patriotism. Well

extreme commitment in the

service of one’s fatherland

is no vice just as moderation

in its defense is no virtue

(clears his throat) as I was

saying, I may be old, I may

not have left Eguae, but I

know Igodomigodo is

divided for my sake. Elders

of our great land, I will rather

be a singer without songs,

than a leader without

policies and directions

(pause) I was called to sit

upon this great throne

[59]

because of age and wealth

of experience. What an

aged man will sit down and

see, most youth will not see

even if they climb a tall palm

tree. (Touching his hair) this

grey hair speaks wisdom.

My brothers, I am not saying

that I am all knowing, but I

think Igodomigodo needs

another Ogiso, a flock

without a shepherd will

always scatter.

CHIEF EDOHEN: epa! We have an Ogiso and

the gods forbid that we

should be scattered.

CHIEF ERO: and where is he now, Where

is that Ogiso? a kingdom is

falling apart and you are

here hanging your hope on

the whims of fate.

CHIEF EVIAN: enough my brothers, it is for

good and not greed I am

doing what I am being

[60]

accused of. As you can see,

I am nearer to where I am

going than where I am

coming from, at this stage of

my life I am not moved by

the craze for mundane

things.

CHIEF EDOHEN: with due respect Chief

Evian, I refuse to conform,

Ogiamen will not ascend the

throne, awa! Your

Lineage cannot produce the

next king, you were only

installed on the throne in the

interim as an administrator,

and to think otherwise is a

taboo.

CHIEF ERO: (interposes) what taboo, are

kings not made?

CHIEF EDOHEN: (laughs) Aise Agbon rio

Ogiso, kings are born not

made, but even if they are to

be made, it shall not be

[61]

without the consent and

approval of the gods.

CHIEF OLIHA: my brothers let’s not quarrel

over who is the better

wrestler in the non

availability of time and

space for trial. Anger and

bitterness will not take us

anywhere, but will only

becloud our reasoning. If

the Prince is dead, then

there has to be another ……

CHIEF ERO: (interposes) thank you my

brother that is the voice of

reason, you have spoken

well.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (Sharply interjects), let him

finish, don’t put words in his

mouth.

CHIEF OLIHA: (continues) yes, like I was

saying first thing first, we

should only be talking of

another king if only we are

[62]

certain that Prince

Ekaladerhan the heir

apparent to the throne

cannot be found.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (standing up in satisfaction)

Osanobua bless you, you

have spoken the words of

my heart.

CHIEF EVIAN: my brothers, it is not by my

wish that I was chosen as

an administrator, neither

was it by chance was I

asked to stand in the gap for

royal servitude. (points at

Chief Edohen), I do not take

offence against you

Edohen, it is the rain that

brings the hen hiding

together with the pigeon.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (stands again as he is about

sitting down), Chief Evian, I

do not have anything

against you; I only stand on

the path of truth and my

[63]

loyalty to the throne, if only

you can prove the death of

the Prince then ……

CHIEF OLIHA: (cuts in), be patient Chief

Edohen you are taking this

matter too personal.

CHIEF EDOHEN: if that is what you coin my

loyalty then it is unfortunate.

CHIEF EVIAN: we are all loyal to this

kingdom in our commitment

to service. It was my

relentless effort that brought

peace to this land after

Ogiso Owodo was

banished. I sacrifice my life

first in confronting the

deadly monster attacking

our people in Ogiso market.

I also confronted the

opposition and at the end I

brought peace by uniting the

various factions (he looks

straight at Chief Edohen).

Now tell me Edohen what

[64]

greater loyalty and

patriotism can a man show?

CHIEF EDOHEN: now I begin to appreciate

the axiom that says that

those who make peaceful

change possible can make

violent change inevitable.

CHIEF EVIAN: violence! No Edohen,

violence is an instrument of

tyranny and that is not in my

character hence, I called for

this meeting. It is the good

mother hen that gathers her

chicks in the face of danger.

CHIEF OLIHA: (abruptly), my brothers

when words are too much,

the mouth seeks for the help

of the fist, so please let us

play the game of maturity

and caution.

CHIEF ERO: the gods forbid that we fight!

[65]

CHIEF OLIHA: (ignoring Chief Ero). a

house that is divided will not

stand. It is pertinent to note

that trees no matter how

huge are planted, but

……….

CHIEF EDOHEN: yes trees are planted,

(interrupting Chief Oliha) but

not without special agent of

dispersal.

CHIEF ERO: and what agent can be

better than the peoples

wish?

CHIEF EDOHEN: The people’s wishes are in

facets. For now, Osanobua

is the only special agent of

dispersal we must look up

to; he is the one that plants

and no man can uproot, just

like he planted the entire

Ogiso’s.

CHIEF OLIHA: like I was about saying

before I was interrupted,

[66]

Ogiso Owodo has been

banished and his son

Ekaladerhan has to be

made the next Ogiso. I know

he is alive, I am convinced,

my instinct can’t be wrong.

But if we are unable to find

him then we will think of an

alternative.

CHIEF EDOHEN: and that alternative will not

be without the consent of

the gods lest we bring a

curse upon the land.

CHIEF EVIAN: you have spoken well Chief

Oliha. I would have thought

of taking that decision but I

was convinced within me

that the Prince was dead.

You remember the hunters

and soldiers sent by Ogiso

Owodo could not bring

Prince Ekaladerhan back to

Ogiso Owodo. Well, it is my

wish and earnest desire that

the Prince should still be

[67]

alive to take his rightful

place so that Igodomigodo

may know peace again.

(turn to Chief Oliha directly)

Oliha, I will want you and

Chief Ero along with the

three guards that took the

Prince out of Igodomigodo

to be sacrificed to the gods,

to be the same persons who

will hunt for his return.

CHIEF EDOHEN; I shall join in this man hunt.

CHIEF EVIAN; that’s okey, time is not on

our hands, so you must

prepare and leave first thing

tomorrow morning. May

Osanobua go with you all.

CHIEF OLIHA: ise-e-e-e-

Light out

[68]

SITUATION 6

NARRATOR

Days crept by and on the seventh day; there

was indeed a great feast in Uhe land to crown

up the whole matter. (the stage is filled up with

dancers twisting their entire body to the rhythm

of the ceremonial songs).

Time files, time really flies especially when one

is having fun. Within thirty (30) years of

[69]

Izoduwa’s stays in Uhe, the gods endowed him

greatly with the acumen to rule the people,

thereby bringing about continual harmony.

He was also blessed with great wealth and

many children whom he brought up to be great

warriors. Meanwhile, far off in the land of

Igodomigodo, there is a political turmoil and

division among the people.

The throne was vacant as Ogiso Owodo was

banished for mal-administration. There was a

great clamour and argument over who will

ascend the throne since Ogiso Owodo had no

other male child beside Ekaladerhan. These

agitations boiled down to the decision that

Prince Ekaladerhan should be searched for and

brought back to take his rightful place.

The irony of it all was that, all those who were

sent to sacrifices Ekaladerhan many years

back, were among those now appointed to

conduct the man hunt, except for Chief Edohen

and Chief Ero, as elders felt that these men

were in a better position to trace the Prince and

convince him to come back home.

[70]

Though, these men were now advanced in age,

but their strength has not failed them

completely, or perhaps it was the enthusiasm of

wanting to save a falling kingdom that ignited

the fire in their bones.

These men searched fervently for many months

before they finally saw Izoduwa at Ife where he

reigned over the Yoruba people.

(The team enters the Palace of

Ekaladerhan)

EKALADERHAN: (looking grave), who are you

(starring at Chief Oliha) and

what wind has brought you

here? (the men look at

themselves)

IFA: (with anger), speak now I

charge you. Are you friends

or foe?

CHIEF OLIHA: (turning to his men) my lord

no longer recognizes us,

time has eaten up the

memories of our faces.

[71]

(pause) my lord, we are

your brothers, the ones who

gave you your freedom

many years back.(pointing

at the guards as he

gesticulates)

EKALADERHAN: (sighs in a deep breath). It is

easy to give monkey palm

wine, but to recover the cup

from him is very difficult and

a hackling task.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (looking sober), my lord, it is

peace and greetings that we

have brought from

Igodomigodo. (at this point

Ifa usher’s them to sit down,

bows to the king and leaves

the Palace)

EKALADERHAN: it is well (now relax). How is

my father and mother, I

hope all is well?

CHIEF EDOHEN: your Majesty, if it were all

well up in the trees, the

[72]

hawk would not come down

to look for chicken.

Igodomigodo had never

known peace ever since you

left. The people began to

detest your father’s

administration when they

discovered that he ordered

that you should be taken out

to be killed for a sacrifice …

CHIEF ERO: (continuing) he became high

handed in his administration

when he realized years later

that even with the sacrifice

he could still not have a male

child.

EKALADERHAN: And he did not execute you

(pointing to the guards and

Chief Oliha) for failing to

carry out his orders?.

THIRD GUARD: ( from his standing position),

yes your Majesty, salt was

added to injury when he

realized that we betrayed

[73]

him setting you free. And

when he ordered for our

arrest, we agreed among

ourselves to exonerate Chief

Oliha (pointing to the chief)

who was also arrested

initially.

SECOND GUARD: Ogiso Owodo believed our

story that chief Oliha was not

aware of what we did, that

we did not carry out his

orders.

EKALADERHAN: (nodding his head), I

remember those hunters.

CHIEF OLIHA: yes the hunters who saw you

in the forest told him. We saw

them on our way here at

Ughoton, a town which they

have named after you.

CHIEF EDOHEN: your Majesty, while the

guards were in detention

waiting to be executed, the

Ogiso in his confusion sent

[74]

for the Oracle men in the far

land who were initially

recommended by the

Ogiso’s first wife Esagho.

EKALADERHAN: (nods his head) yes the

ones that came to the Palace

then.

CHIEF OLIHA: the People he sent this time

discovered that the Oracle

men that came to the Palace

earlier were impostors.

EKALADERHAN: (shock and stands to his

feet) what!

CHIEF ERO: your Majesty, it was

discovered that the Oracle

men told Esagho that she

was the cause of the other

women’s predicament for not

giving birth to male children.

That it was her destiny and

that she has to be sacrificed

to the gods, before the

women in the kings harem

[75]

could give birth to male

children.

EKALADERHAN: (surprise) How, but two

Chief’s were sent with her.

CHIEF ERO: Yes, she confessed that she

lured them to play along,

threatening to tell the Ogiso

that they had carnal

knowledge of her if they

refuse to consent. The

consequence of which is

death.

CHIEF OLIHA: your Majesty, she

succeeded in pouring dust

in the kings eyes by bringing

impostors as Oracle men to

the Palace and even

influenced other women in

the harem to prevail upon

Ogiso, to do whatever the

Oracle directs. This

revelation triggered the

Ogiso’s anger, and he

started ruling the people

[76]

with an iron hand after

ordering the immediate

execution of Esagho.

EKALADERHAN: But how come my father did

not immediately kill the

three of you for betraying

him? (pointing at the

guards)

THIRD GUARD: after Chief Oliha was freed,

we were kept in the prison

awaiting your arrest before

our execution, which has

already been pronounced

by Ogiso Owodo, but

fortunately for us the

hunters and soldiers never

came back.

CHIEF OLIHA: he had not ordered for their

execution, before Esagho’s

secret was exposed so he

released them.

CHIEF EDOHEN: however, this revelation

made the Ogiso wild that he

[77]

ruled the people with an iron

hand, an act which

eventually led to his being

banished.

EKALADERHAN: banished!

CHIEF OLIHA: (continues quickly), Ogiso

Owodo’s power and high

handedness grew stronger

and stronger with every

passing day like a

fermenting wine and he

failed to listen to his Chiefs

and subjects.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (with a sober tone). The

Ogiso met his waterloo

when he ordered the

execution of a pregnant

woman.

CHIEF OLIHA: the entire people of

Igodomigodo protested

against his rulership

especially the women and

young girls, and so, he was

[78]

banished (shaking his head

regretfully).

EKALADERHAN: (exclaimed in despair) my

father! Banished?

CHIEF ERO: yes your Majesty, and that’s

why we are here. The

people loves you and they

solicit for your return and

desire you rule over them.

CHIEF OLIHA: (looking straight into the

Oba’s eyes) the future of the

Ogiso dynasty is threatened

my lord, and only your

immediate return can save

the situation. Though, Chief

Evian was appointed

administrator, but he shall

remain so, pending your

return my lord.

CHIEF EDOHEN: (interposes) his continual

stay on the throne is a

threat. He is now very old.

At a time he had fracas with

[79]

some of the elders including

myself, for attempting to

make his son Ogiamen

successor to the throne, and

when the matter became

public, almost the entire

kingdom vehemently

refused his proposition.

EKALADERHAN: (adjusting his position on his

seat), I thank you very much

my kinsmen, may the gods

of our ancestors richly bless

you all. I still remember the

hospitality you showed me

years back (raising his hand

emphatically), and even the

pain you passed through in

the forest searching for me,

may Osanobua bless you

all. I also acknowledge and

appreciate the love and

concern of my people back

home, but as you can see, I

have a large family here that

I cannot abandon. My

commitment here equals

[80]

that which is demanded of

me in my mother land. I

regret that I cannot embark

on that journey. It is true,

that it is when a man sits

down that his obstacle rises

above him. My brothers, it is

for this reason that I have

decided to send my beloved

son, Oranmiyan, to

accompany you back to

Igodomigodo. It is my blood

that flows in his vein; let him

reign in my stead and rule

over my people at home.

CHIEF OLIHA: you have spoken well your

Majesty. At this point, I think

it will be wise to inform you

that we will leave for

Igodomigodo in four days

time.

EKALADERHAN: (shows surprise), why are

you so much in a hurry my

brother?

[81]

CHIEF OLIHA: (standing to his feet) the

people are waiting anxiously

for our return your Majesty

(Edohen standing up also).

CHIEF EDOHEN: Your Majesty, we do not

wish to delay in bringing

back peace to our mother

land.

EKALADERHAN: (standing to his feet), then I

will not hold you back, my

wish also is for my people to

be well and live in peace.

Four days time it shall be.

Benin song

Oghogho no ogho nimaye

Oghogho maye

Omanigodo

Rhuemwoen nakhin

Ohido

Eeominigie

Mawanre

Wagho gho me

[82]

English

Lets come together

Happiness and joy we are

the sons, the land of Igodo loved

Light out.

NARRATOR

(singing and dancing on the stage for the

departure of the strangers and Oranmiyan to the

land of Igodomigodo).

That was the fourth day (pointing to the stage)

shortly before they set for the long journey back

to Igodomigodo.

Ten servants carrying different gift items ranging

from gold, silver, diamond and some

[83]

consumables accompanied these men and

Prince Oranmiyan. After a few weeks journey,

they arrived at Igodomigodo and Oranmiyan

ascended the throne and was Crowned with the

title “Oba”.

The new Oba got married to a beautiful woman

called Princess Erinwinde from the royal house

of Egor, (the daughter of Ogiegor) and she gave

birth to Eweka.

However, Oranmiyan could not cope with the

affairs of the kingdom because he found the

language which he spoke at Uhe, different from

what the Benin people speak. Besides, these

great people were warriors by inclination, thus

fierce and quick tempered. He often referred to

the land as ‘Ile Ibinu’ meaning the home of

temper. It was these words that were gradually

corrupted from Ile Ibinu to Ile Benin from which

the present nomenclature, Benin, derived its

origin.

Oranmiyan finally left Igodomigodo for Ife to join

his father Izoduwa who was initially called

Oduwa before it was corrupted to Oduduwa,

[84]

leaving behind his son, Eweka, to saddle the

affairs of the kingdom.

Oba Eweka the first, ascended the throne after

the departure of Oranmiyan. Although he was

very young, he was credited for his great

wisdom. His era witness a drastic change and

development in the history of the benin

kingdom. It was in his time the Uzama title was

established.

The Uzama title is a hereditary title made up of

six benin Chief until the 15th Century when Oba

Ewuare the great created “Edaiken” as the

seventh title, the Uzama’s are: Oliha, Edohen,

Ezomo, Ero, Eholo-nire, Oloton and Edaiken.

He also established the three Palace societies,

which are Iwebo, Iweguae and Ibiwe in the bid

of wanting to bring about an effective

administration in the kingdom. It is pertinent to

note at this juncture that the Uzama title and the

Palace societies still exist hitherto and are

recorded to be the oldest titles and societies in

the history of Benin kingdom.

[85]

Oba Eweka the first was the first King in the

Eweka dynasty and the second Oba on the

Throne of Benin Kingdom while his royal

Majesty, Omon n’ Oba n’ Edo Uku Akpolopolo,

Oba Erediauwa is the thirty eighth king in the

Eweka dynasty. However, among the Oba’s, he

is the thirty ninth Oba on the throne beginning

from Oba Oraminyan.

Oba – ghato - okpere – ise!

THE END.

[86]

Glossary

Aisagborio Ogiso ………King are not made

Awa ……. ……exclamation for surprise

Eguae …………………..Palace.

Ekpoliyeke…… ………...Pregnant Woman

Fadaka ………………… Silver

Ile ………….….……….. House

Oba …….……………… King

Ogiso……………………King

Ogiso market . (Agbado market) Kings markert

Otenmwen ……………..Brother/Sister

Osanobua ……………. .God

Wura …………..………. Gold

[87]