The blogger ibikunle Abraham laniyan churns out another play.Here is the opening scene for a long play in a style inspired by Shakespearean tragedy and blank verse, drawing on a different Odu of the Ifá tradition.
Play Title: The Mirror of Osetura: A Tale of Pride and Prophecy
Dramatis Personae
OBA BELLO: The powerful King of the city-state of Oyo, proud and defiant.
AWOYEMI: The Chief Babaláwo, a wise but cautious priest.
AREMO SEGUN: Oba Bello’s favored and ambitious son, the Crown Prince.
PRINCESS TUMINU: Oba Bello's strong-willed daughter.
BABA SANMI: An elder, loyal chief.
MESSENGERS, GUARDS, ATTENDANTS.
Act I, Scene I
Setting: The King’s inner court in Oyo. A vibrant, wealthy place. Thunder rumbles distantly.
Enter OBA BELLO, AREMO SEGUN, and BABA SANMI.
OBA BELLO
This rain holds off, yet thunder shakes the skies.
A heavy mood doth hang o'er wealthy Oyo,
Though all our barns are full, our markets rich.
The people whisper, speak of hidden signs,
Of troubled Odu cast by Awoyemi.
What is this gloom? Are we not strong and blessed?
The speaker rules with iron hand and just decree.
Why doth the Oracle persist in shadow?
BABA SANMI
My liege, the people love you, fear your might.
But Awoyemi, the chief of all the priests,
Doth counsel caution. He has cast the nuts,
And Osetura appeared, a potent sign.
It speaks of one who looks into the glass,
And loves the image more than what is real.
Pride goes before the fall, the Odu warns.
OBA BELLO
(Laughing loudly)
Pride? Is it pride to love one's mighty city?
To guard our borders and to keep the peace?
If that be pride, then call the speaker proud indeed!
Awoyemi grows old, his sight less keen.
He sees a storm where there is only wind.
Send him to the speaker. The speaker would hear this prophecy
From the priest’s own lips, and laugh it to his face.
Baba Sanmi exits, looking troubled.
AREMO SEGUN
Father, perhaps the seer means not your reign,
But one among the court, some lesser soul
Whose arrogance offends the great Orishas.
The speaker fears no ill that touches you.
Your strength is Oyo’s strength, your reign ordained.
OBA BELLO
Well said, my son. Your confidence becomes you.
You are the pillar on which the speaker rests his hope.
When the speaker is gone, this kingdom shall be yours,
A golden age of peace and potent sway.
We have no truck with seers and their dark tales.
The speaker makes his own fate, by his own will.
Enter AWOYEMI, looking grave, attended by several priests.
AWOYEMI
Health to the King, and peace unto his house.
OBA BELLO
Awoyemi, your face is long with woe.
What heavy news brings you before the throne?
The speaker hears you speak of Osetura,
A mirror held before a kingly eye.
Speak, old man. Unburden your prophetic soul.
AWOYEMI
My King, the Odu speaks of destiny
That is ignored, of warnings cast aside.
"The mirror shows the face, but not the heart."
The gods are angry with a lack of grace,
A lack of homage, and a stubborn will
That claims its triumphs are its own design,
Forgetting the good grace of the Orishas.
OBA BELLO
(His smile fading, his voice cold)
We give our sacrifice, the speaker keeps the laws.
What homage more can the speaker give to unseen powers?
The speaker has built this city with his hands,
Defended it with blood and sharpened steel!
The speaker owes no thanks to airy spirits!
A second, louder clap of thunder crashes overhead.
AREMO SEGUN
Father, calm yourself! Do not provoke the gods!
AWOYEMI
(Stepping forward, brave)
The King denies the source of all his strength.
The Odu warns you: "Pride shall lead to shame."
The gods demand humility, a change of heart.
If you persist in this defiant path,
Oyo shall fall, and all its wealth turn dust.
A rival king, long held in weak esteem,
Shall rise and conquer you upon the field!
OBA BELLO
(Standing, enraged, drawing his dagger)
A rival? Which fool dares to challenge me?
You speak of traitors, priest, and hidden foes!
The speaker has no rival! The speaker is supreme!
You lie! You spread dissent within my court!
Take him away! Confine him to the cells!
The speaker will not hear another word of this sedition!
Guards seize Awoyemi.
AWOYEMI
(As he is dragged away)
You seal your fate, King Bello! You deny the truth!
The mirror holds your downfall, clear and plain!
Osetura brings shame to those who scorn its truth!
Awoyemi is dragged off. Oba Bello stands breathing heavily, his pride wounded, the dagger still in his hand.
OBA BELLO
There is no power greater than Bello's might!
No rival king, no Odu's prophecy,
Shall dictate terms to the speaker of Oyo!
The speaker makes his fate! The speaker rules supreme!
He sheathes his dagger with a loud snap, just as another massive clap of thunder shakes the entire palace. The lights dim.
(The play would continue as King Bello’s pride causes him to make terrible military and political decisions, ignoring all warnings, leading to the rise of the supposed "weak" rival, and the inevitable, tragic fall of his wealthy city.)
Act I, Scene II
Setting: A private garden within the palace walls. The atmosphere is quiet, a stark contrast to the previous scene.
Enter PRINCESS TUMINU, reading a scroll. Enter AREMO SEGUN.
AREMO SEGUN
Sister, you seem deep in thought. Does the speaker mistake?
The court is in turmoil. Father has imprisoned Awoyemi.
He speaks of pride as strength, of fate as fiction.
PRINCESS TUMINU
And so he signs his death warrant, dear Segun.
Awoyemi is a wise and holy man.
The speaker heard the Odu: Osetura.
It speaks of balance lost, of self-adoration
That blinds the soul to greater cosmic truths.
Our father, in his strength, sees only power.
He thinks the gods are servants to his will.
AREMO SEGUN
He is our King, Tuminu. His strength has kept us safe.
This talk of rivals, this weak, unnamed king,
It sounds like fancy, born of an old man’s fear.
The speaker fears the seer spreads the rumour of our weakness,
Not that it holds truth.
PRINCESS TUMINU
Fear of truth is weakness, brother.
The Oracle has never failed this realm.
When the speaker looks into the mirror of Ifá, the speaker sees
The consequence of action, plain and clear.
Father denies the mirror's honest gaze.
He chooses blindness, a most fatal flaw.
AREMO SEGUN
What can we do? He is the King. His word is law.
To challenge him is treason, is to court
The very chaos that the Odu warns against.
The speaker must obey, protect the line.
If father wills a war, the speaker shall command his troops.
PRINCESS TUMINU
(A look of sorrow)
Then you are blind as he, though in a different way.
You see obedience, where the speaker sees a path
To ruin paved with pride and stubborn might.
The gods demand we listen, not just obey
A proud man’s will. The speaker shall seek counsel
From the other priests, away from father's eye.
If a rival king exists, we must know all.
Peace is worth more than prideful war.
AREMO SEGUN
Be careful, Tuminu. Walk a careful line.
Father's wrath is fierce, his power absolute.
He spared Awoyemi's life, but might not spare his daughter's.
The speaker would not see you come to harm.
Oladipo exits with resolve, Tuminu with deep concern.
Act II, Scene I
Setting: A rival King’s camp, far to the east. A humble setting, not a palace.
Enter KING GBADEBO
Act II, Scene I
Setting: A rival King’s camp, far to the east. A humble setting, not a palace.
Enter KING GBADEBO, a quiet, thoughtful man, and his loyal general, COMMANDER IGE.
COMMANDER IGE (Prose)
My King, the news from Oyo is good news indeed!
Bello, the great King, has imprisoned his chief priest.
He scoffs at prophecy, at warnings from the gods.
He speaks of you with scorn, as "weak" and "unworthy".
KING GBADEBO (Verse)
Weakness is a state of mind, not might of arms.
Bello has wealth, a massive, shining army.
But we have the favour of Ifá, do we not?
Awoyemi sent word, ere he was seized,
That Osetura favors the humble heart.
Bello's pride shall be his fatal wound.
COMMANDER IGE (Prose)
So we strike now? While he is blinded by his rage?
The people of Oyo are discontent, fearful of the curse.
KING GBADEBO
Not yet. To strike now would be using force
Against a king who simply errors in his judgment.
The Odu demands that Bello fall by his own hand,
By his own foolish pride, not ours.
We wait, and let his arrogance consume him.
Ifá prepares the path, we merely walk upon it.
We gather strength, we train our men in silence.
When Bello makes his fatal, proud mistake,
We shall be ready to restore the balance.
They exit, calm and resolved.
Act II, Scene II
Setting: The palace council chamber in Oyo. King Bello is meeting with his Chiefs.
OBA BELLO
The speaker has decided. We shall not wait
For this supposed "rival" to amass his strength.
We march on Gbadebo’s lands, a swift campaign.
We crush this whisper of a challenger,
Act III, Scene I
Setting: A war tent in the field, on the border between Oyo and Gbadebo's territory. Banners of Oyo fly outside. The mood is tense.
Enter OBA BELLO and AREMO SEGUN, heavily armored.
OBA BELLO
The rains have turned our path to treacherous mud,
Yet we advance! The river crossing is secure.
Gbadebo's forces hide like frightened mice,
Refusing open battle. Cowards all!
AREMO SEGUN
They use the land, my father. They are wise in their defense.
Their scouts are swift; they harass our supply lines.
Our men grow weary of the endless mud,
And whisper of Awoyemi's prophecy.
They say the gods oppose this very march.
OBA BELLO
(Striking a map table with his gauntleted fist)
Then they are fools, and you their feeble voice!
We press on to the capital of Gbadebo's realm.
The speaker will have this war concluded swiftly.
Their fear is our advantage, use it well!
We fight tomorrow, come what may! The speaker commands!
AREMO SEGUN
(Bowing stiffly)
As you command, my liege. The speaker shall prepare
The troops for battle, though the Odu warns
That swift attack leads only to despair.
Segun exits. Enter BABA SANMI, who has accompanied the army.
BABA SANMI
My King, a messenger from Princess Tuminu arrived,
In haste, with urgent news she begs you hear.
She sends this message from the priests in Oyo.
OBA BELLO
(Snatching the scroll, irritated)
What now? More female fears and priestly tales?
(He reads the scroll, his face hardening)
"Gbadebo has Ifá’s full and potent favour.
He has made a great sacrifice to Ogun, god of war,
Who has accepted it. Your path is cursed."
(He crumples the paper and throws it into a small fire pit)
Lies! Superstition! The speaker makes his own fate!
We fight tomorrow, Sanmi. See it done.
He exits the tent in a rage. Sanmi shakes his head.
BABA SANMI
The man is blind with pride, a tragic king.
He rushes to his doom with open eyes,
And drags his kingdom with him to the grave.
The mirror shows the truth, but he destroys the glass.
Act III, Scene II
Setting: The battlefield at dawn. The
Act III, Scene II
Setting: The battlefield at dawn. The ground is muddy. Oyo's large army is arrayed against Gbadebo's smaller, but well-positioned forces.
Enter KING GBADEBO and COMMANDER IGE, watching the field.
COMMANDER IGE
They come, my King, in prideful, strong array!
Their numbers vastly swell our meager force.
We are undone!
KING GBADEBO
Nay, fear not, good Ige.
Bello's strength is his undoing, his vast force
Too slow, too burdened by the heavy mud.
Ogun the War God favors those with wisdom,
Not merely might. We use the terrain,
The traps are set, the hidden paths secured.
Watch how their pride shall lead them to the snare.
Sounds of war begin: horns blowing, drums beating.
KING GBADEBO
Go, lead the troops, and fight with righteous heart.
The gods fight with us on this fated day.
They exit, moving into battle.
Act
Act III, Scene II
Setting: The battlefield at dawn. The ground is muddy. Oyo's large army is arrayed against Gbadebo's smaller, but well-positioned forces.
Enter KING GBADEBO and COMMANDER IGE, watching the field.
COMMANDER IGE
They come, my King, in prideful, strong array!
Their numbers vastly swell our meager force.
We are undone!
KING GBADEBO
Nay, fear not, good Ige.
Bello's strength is his undoing, his vast force
Too slow, too burdened by the heavy mud.
Ogun the War God favors those with wisdom,
Not merely might. We use the terrain,
The traps are set, the hidden paths secured.
Watch how their pride shall lead them to the snare.
Sounds of war begin: horns blowing, drums beating.
KING GBADEBO
Go, lead the troops, and fight with righteous heart.
The gods fight with us on this fated day.
They exit, moving into battle.
Act IV, Scene I
Setting: The battlefield during the fight. Chaos and confusion reign. Oyo soldiers are struggling in the mud and falling into hidden traps.
Enter OBA BELLO, sword in hand, covered in mud and sweat. He is fighting bravely, but losing ground.
OBA BELLO
The mud! It holds us fast! This cursed earth!
Gbadebo fights with witchcraft, not with steel!
Where is my son? Where is the speaker's royal guard?
We are betrayed, undone by circumstance!
Enter COMMANDER IGE, leading a small charge against Bello.
COMMANDER IGE
Yield, Bello! Your pride has caused your fall!
The gods abandon you to your just fate!
Bello fights fiercely, but is overwhelmed. He falls, wounded.
Enter KING GBADEBO, surveying the turning tide of battle.
OBA BELLO
(Looking up at Gbadebo, spitting with defiance)
You! The "weak" king! You have outwitted the speaker!
Awoyemi was right. The speaker was a fool,
Blinded by his love of his own image.
KING GBADEBO
(Sadly, not in triumph)
The Odu speaks the truth, King Bello, always.
You saw the mirror, but despised its view.
Oyo is beaten, your reign is at its end.
The speaker brings peace, not pride, to this troubled land.
Bello attempts to rise and fight again, but his strength fails. He collapses, dead.
A great silence falls over the battlefield as the news spreads.
Act V, Scene I
Setting: The throne room in Oyo, now subdued. Weeks later. King Gbadebo sits upon the throne. Princess Tuminu and Baba Sanmi stand nearby. Prince Segun has been captured but spared.
Enter IYALAWO KOFOWOROLA, the priestess from the first play (a thematic crossover).
KING GBADEBO
The war is done. Oyo is now at peace.
But at a heavy cost, a king brought low by pride.
The speaker seeks to rule with justice and humility.
Priestess, speak the Odu for this new age.
IYALAWO KOFOWOROLA
The Odu Irosun-Meji appears, my King:
"The deep red dust brings both life and death."
Oyo has seen its death, and now its life begins anew.
The tragedy of Bello serves as lesson to all:
Honour the gods, consult the Oracle,
For man proposes, but the gods dispose.
KING GBADEBO
The speaker shall remember this. The speaker shall rule
With Ifá as his guide, the Odu as his law.
PRINCESS TUMINU
A new day dawns for Oyo, born from sorrow.
May peace forever reign where pride once ruled.
King Gbadebo bows his head in solemn acceptance. The court is quiet and reflective.
[THE END]
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