The blogger authors a new play in this edition.A Structural Approach to the Plays
The twenty plays could be structured by focusing on the 16 principal Odu Meji (the primary signs) and four of the most significant derivative Odu. Each play could explore the key themes, moral lessons, and tragic or comedic outcomes associated with a specific Odu.
Shakespearean Elements to Incorporate:
Language and Meter: Use iambic pentameter for noble characters and significant speeches, and prose for commoners or moments of madness/humor.
Structure: Employ a five-act structure:
Act I: Exposition (the initial state described in the Odu narrative).
Act II: Complication/Conflict (the characters' actions, often ignoring Ifá's warnings).
Act III: Climax (the peak of the crisis or tragic turn).
Act IV: Falling Action (consequences of choices, movement toward resolution).
Act V: Resolution/Catastrophe (the final outcome and the moral lesson or a return to order).
Themes: Explore themes common to both traditions: destiny vs. free will, the consequences of pride (Iwa Pele or good character is a core Ifá concept), the role of the supernatural (Orishas and ancestors), and social order.
Example Concept: A Tragedy based on Osa Meji
The Odu Osa Meji tells a story of a broken promise between humans and the Iyami (primordial mothers, or "birds") which results in consequences for humanity. This could be framed as a tragedy similar to Macbeth or King Lear, focusing on hubris and the disruption of a sacred pact.
Title: The Vow-Breakers of Aye
Characters:
OLUFE: The King of the humans.
ESU: A trickster figure, a catalyst for conflict.
MOTHER-BIRD (IYAMI): A powerful, vengeful matriarch.
Chorus of Elders: Chanting Ifá verses in poetic language.
Synopsis:
(The play would open with a solemn pact (in rhythmic verse) made between the early humans and the Eleye (birds). Driven by famine and the subtle manipulations of Esu (in cunning prose), Olufe breaks the vow and sanctions the killing of the birds for food. The natural order is destroyed, leading to a tragic confrontation and the eternal consequence that humans must now seek the favor of the Iyami to avoid misfortune. The climax would involve the Mother-Bird delivering a powerful curse in iambic pentameter, sealing humanity's fate.
This framework allows for the creation of a rich and culturally resonant series of plays, honoring both the depth of the Ifá tradition and the conventions of Shakespearean drama.
The Price of Truth
An Ifá Morality Play in One Act
Setting:
The royal courtyard of a prosperous Yoruba kingdom.
Act I
Scene 1
(The royal court. The KING sits upon his throne, deep in a foul mood. ESU lurks in the shadows, unseen by all but the audience.)
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Good Oladipo, whilst thou art a man
Of earnest toil, thy profits bear no fruit.
My coffers empty, whilst thy neighbours thrive.
What hidden curse doth plague thy merchant soul?
OLADIPO:
My liege, no curse save that which simple truth
Doth bring upon a man of honest stock.
I labour hard, yet every gain I seek
Is snatch'd by shadows ere it reach my grasp.
A woman's craft, methinks, doth steal my due;
A midnight battle, fought with unseen hands.
OLADIPO:
I cannot name the witch, my Lord, in truth.
But Ifá speaks of spirits, 'yami' strong,
That steal men's blessings ere the dawn doth break.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Enough! Such superstition irks my ear.
Go hence, consult the oracle, I bid thee,
And bring the truth, the plain, unvarnish'd truth!
No tales of birds or mothers, understand?
OLADIPO:
I shall obey, my King, and seek the sage.
(Exit OLADIPO. ESU chuckles to himself, stepping forward.)
ESU:
(To the audience, in prose)
So, the King desires truth? A dangerous meal! Truth is a thing of sharp edges, not meant for soft hands or a vain King's ear. I shall stir this pot, and see what bitter broth it yields. The truth, in sooth, is a heavy burden, soon to be borne.
(Exit ESU.)
Scene 2
(The dwelling of BABA FAKUNLE. The blind BABALAWO sits, casting his opele ifa chain upon a mat. OLADIPO kneels before him.)
OLADIPO:
Great sire, the King demands I learn the cause
Of my misfortune and my empty gains.
I seek the oracle's all-seeing eye.
BABA FAKUNLE:
(Chanting)
"The water that doth flow not to the fore,
And flow not to the rear, a stagnant pond
Becomes, of filth accumulated, foul."
The sacred Odu, Ogbe Ofun, speaks.
It asks that all men speak the honest truth,
No matter if the consequence be dire.
For if the truth be spoken, blessings flow;
If lied upon, confusion shall arise.
Thy lack of wealth, good sir, is born of one
Who holds a thing of thine, a stolen due.
If he should ask, "Who did this thing?" say "I!"
Return what's kept, make peace with those aggrieved.
And peace shall follow in the wake of truth.
OLADIPO:
I understand, great sage. The truth I'll speak.
But tell me, for my King, what of his fate?
Why sits he angry, and his face so dark?
BABA FAKUNLE:
Ifá reveals that one, a powerful soul,
Doth keep a property not rightfully his.
A thing of value, yet from another reft.
Tell him this truth, and bid him to return
The stolen goods, that harmony may reign.
OLADIPO:
I thank thee, father. I shall bear this word.
(Exit OLADIPO with determination.)
Scene 3
(The royal court, same as Scene 1. The KING is restless. OLADIPO enters.)
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Speak, merchant, hast thou sought the Babaláwo?
What wisdom hath the blind seer pour'd for thee?
OLADIPO:
My liege, the Odu Ogbe Ofun was cast,
And bids all men to speak the honest truth,
Lest their lives stagnate like a filthy pond.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Yes, yes, the truth! A lesson for all men.
But what of my affairs? My anger's cause?
What did the oracle reveal of me?
OLADIPO:
(Hesitating, then with conviction)
It says, my King, that thou, a powerful soul,
Dost keep a property not rightfully thine.
A thing of value, yet from another reft.
Return it now, that harmony may reign!
KING ADETOKUNBO:
(Rises in a fury)
What treason's this?! A lie most foul! What "goods"
Have I, the King, kept from another's hand?
Name the offence, thou bold and brazen fool!
OLADIPO:
(Stands his ground)
My King, when I did name the 'yami' power
That steals my wealth, thou didst dismiss my plea.
The sage's words ring true, I merely speak
The truth thou cravest, though it anger thee.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
(Eyes wide with rage)
By Ogun's might, thou call'st thy King a thief?
Guards, seize this man! A night in the foul pit
Shall teach him manners and a softer tongue!
(Guards seize OLADIPO. ESU smiles widely and claps his hands softly in the shadows.)
ESU:
(To the audience, in prose)
The truth is out, but not as the King likes! The sacrifice was truth, and Oladipo paid the price. Let's see what the morning brings.
(Exeunt all but ESU.)
Scene 4
(The next morning. The court is quiet. ABIOLA enters, distraught.)
ABIOLA:
My husband languishes within the pit
For speaking truth unto a wrathful King!
O, cruel fate! O, heavy hand of power!
(She sees something on the ground. A small, beautifully carved wooden figurine, a replica of the King's own staff.)
ABIOLA:
What vision's this? The King's own staff in wood?
'Twas this the Babaláwo spoke of, sure!
A stolen toy, a trifle, yet a symbol!
(She rushes to the KING, who is entering, still fuming.)
ABIOLA:
My Lord, behold this plaything I have found!
Is this the "goods" my husband spoke about?
KING ADETOKUNBO:
(Staring at the figurine, his anger subsiding to shame)
My father's staff... yes, as a boy, I took
This carving, meant for my elder kin.
A child's deceit, long buried in the past!
The Babaláwo spoke the truth in sooth!
Oladipo's words were guided, not his own.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
(To an attendant)
Release the merchant! Bring him to my side.
I have done wrong, mistaking truth for spite.
(OLADIPO is brought in, weary but unharmed.)
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Good Oladipo, I mistook thy words.
Thy honesty hath been a bitter balm,
But true in essence. Take this purse of gold,
And may thy fortunes henceforth truly bloom.
(The KING returns the small wooden staff to ABIOLA, as the true owner.)
OLADIPO:
I thank your grace. The oracle is served.
Truth, though it burns, doth purify the soul.
ESU:
(To the audience, as all exit in peace)
Order restored, by chaos first attain'd.
Remember this, ye mortals, in your stride:
Speak truth, return all borrowed goods, and keep
Your vows to heaven, ere your blessings sleep.
**(Esu bows and exits.)
FINIS
Characters:
OLADIPO: A hardworking, yet unappreciated merchant of the court.
ABIOLA: Oladipo's wife, a woman of patience and virtue.
BABA FAKUNLE: The blind, revered Babaláwo (Ifá priest).
KING ADETOKUNBO: The sovereign, prone to vanity and quick temper.
ESU: A cunning spirit, the agent of divine justice and catalyst of events.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
A woman's craft? What folly dost thou speak?
Name her! Accuse! Or hold thy tongue for aye!
continue the Odu ifa play
Here is a continuation of the play, exploring the immediate aftermath and long-term consequences of the truth revealed in the one-act play The Price of Truth.
An Ifá Morality Play (Continued)
Act II
Scene 1
(The royal court, the day after Oladipo's release. The KING sits, pensive. ABIOLA is nearby. ESU watches from his place in the shadows.)
KING ADETOKUNBO:
The merchant's words, though sharp, did pierce the veil
Of mine own pride. This trinket, carved in wood,
A boyish theft, hath cost a good man's ease.
My father's staff, meant for my elder kin,
I kept in secret, shamed by simple greed.
Ifá speaks truth, no matter who doth hear.
ABIOLA:
My Lord, thy wisdom shines brighter than thy crown,
When thus confess'd and justice is restored.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
But something more the oracle did say,
Of hidden wealth and fortunes yet to bloom,
If Oladipo stayed within his home,
And gave due reverence to his mother's name.
ESU:
(To the audience, in prose, smiling wickedly)
The King remembers the blessings, but ignores the detail! Ifá's path is an open road for the obedient, but filled with thorns for the headstrong. Oladipo needs patience, a virtue rare in men who have seen the inside of a king's pit.
(Enter OLADIPO, looking refreshed and hopeful.)
OLADIPO:
Your Majesty, my spirit is made light,
The dungeon's gloom is banished from my soul.
My wife and I, we follow Ifá's word,
And bide our time, at home, for blessings due.
The Babaláwo spoke of future wealth,
A great inheritance for children's children.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Good, Oladipo. Patience is thy friend.
But whilst thou wait'st, a task I have for thee.
My kingdom thrives on trade, and I need one
Whose honesty is proven, sharp and true.
A merchant of the royal court thou art,
Thy word thy bond. Go forth and trade for me,
In distant lands, where profits may be found.
OLADIPO:
(Eyes wide with ambition)
My King, I thank thee for this trust profound!
I shall not fail the crown! A thousand thanks!
(He bows low, a new light in his eyes.)
ABIOLA:
(Quietly, to Oladipo, as they prepare to leave)
But husband, Ifá said that we must stay!
"At home, your blessing waits," the blind man said.
OLADIPO:
A king's command, my love, is heaven's will,
And a new path to honour and renown.
This wealth will come much faster on the road!
Fear not, my wife; my head supports my will!
(Exit OLADIPO, full of zeal. ABIOLA looks worried.)
ESU:
(To the audience, shaking his head)
He heard the promise of wealth, but missed the taboo: "Do not go anywhere." The path is open, but only if he walks it with discipline. Ah well, the market's path is a winding one.
Scene 2
(A bustling marketplace many weeks later. Oladipo is haggling with a MERCHANT, looking weary.)
OLADIPO:
I tell thee, sir, the goods are of the best!
Yet every sale doth barely break me even.
A month on the road, and my gains are thin as air!
This King's commission seems a fool's errand.
MERCHANT:
(Counting coins)
The market's full of woe, my friend, not profit.
Perhaps Ifá is trying to tell thee something?
I heard a tale, of one Odogbo, who
Did find great riches when he stayed at home,
And did not venture to the farm for wood.
OLADIPO:
(Scoffs)
Fables and rhymes! A man must act, not wait,
Like a mere child upon his mother's knee!
I'll force my fortune, bend the world to me!
(He storms off, frustrated.)
ESU:
(To the audience, observing)
Egotism's child, arrogance his guide. He seeks to force his will, ignoring counsel. The iron god, Ogun, must teach him patience with his own hand.
Scene 3
(Back at Oladipo's simple home. ABIOLA is sweeping the yard with a broom. She hums softly. The broom unearths a loose stone.)
ABIOLA:
A stone? Nay, but a carving in the earth.
(She bends and pulls at something half-buried. It is a large, ornate chest, bound in iron.)
ABIOLA:
What marvel's this? A hidden chest, conceal'd!
It bears the King's own seal!
(She pries it open. It is filled with glistening cowrie shells, beads, and gold, the ancient currency.)
ABIOLA:
O, wondrous sight! My husband's fortune, here at home!
Ifá spoke true, my husband was a fool!
(Enter the KING and BABA FAKUNLE, led by ESU in the form of a small bird.)
KING ADETOKUNBO:
What joy is this? What fortune hast thou found?
ABIOLA:
My liege, a treasure chest, within the earth,
Hard by the door, where I did sweep just now.
BABA FAKUNLE:
(Smiling, though blind)
"The water that doth flow not to the fore,
And flow not to the rear, a stagnant pond..."
The blessing waits at home, for patient souls
Who heed the word and follow the right path.
Oladipo seeks his fortune far from here,
Ignoring counsel, chasing fleeting shadows.
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Then he hath lost the race by moving fast!
The wealth was his, but he must learn the lesson:
To find one's Ori, one's true destiny,
Requires patience, discipline, and trust.
ESU:
(To the audience)
The King learns wisdom, the wife finds wealth, the merchant learns a lesson in humility. The balance is restored, though not without its sting. Ifá does not lie; men simply fail to listen well.
(Esu vanishes in a puff of smoke as the others marvel at the treasure, their faces a mix of joy and concern for the absent Oladipo.)
(FADE OUT)
Act III
Scene 1
(A lonely roadside, several months later. OLADIPO, haggard and dressed in rags, sits dejectedly with a broken cart. His goods are scattered, and his pride is shattered. ESU appears nearby, visible only to the audience and, perhaps, the suffering merchant.)
OLADIPO:
(To himself, in despair)
O, cursed ambition! O, King's command too sweet!
He left his home, where blessings lay in wait.
The blind seer's words, a map to fortune's shore,
He tore in haste, believing he knew more.
Now all is lost: his wealth, his royal favour,
And worst, his honour, which he sought to savour.
Ifá said, "Stay at home, where calm doth dwell."
He sought the road, and found a living hell.
(He weeps.)
ESU:
(To the audience, with a tone of justice served)
The road to wisdom often runs through pain.
He sought to force the hand of destiny's reign.
Ifá doth not punish, but simply steps aside,
And lets the consequences with you ride.
He chose the path of pride, and now must learn
That only patience helps the wheels to turn.
(A traveller passes by, singing a happy tune.)
TRAVELLER:
"The patient man doth find the hidden gold,
Whilst hasty fools their sorry tales unfold!"
OLADIPO:
(Calling out, angered)
Cease your dull song, thou happy, simple man!
Thy fortune's joy is built on simple plan!
TRAVELLER:
Simple indeed, my friend! He stayed at home,
And built his house where sweet content doth roam.
(He exits, still singing.)
OLADIPO:
(Falling to his knees)
The truth! The truth again, a bitter pill!
The oracle was clear, he has no skill
To shape his fate against the cosmic grain.
He must return, and bear his humble pain.
(He gathers his few remaining belongings and begins the long walk home.)
Scene 2
(The home of Oladipo. It is now well-kept and prosperous. ABIOLA is inside, teaching a young child its letters. The large chest found earlier is open, revealing its riches.) the fait
ABIOLA:
And so, my child, the lesson e'er remains:
Obedience to Ifá's word brings gains.
They found this wealth because they swept the yard,
And kept the faith, though times were often hard.
OLADIPO:
Abiola, his wife... He has return'd.
(ABIOLA gasps in surprise and joy, rushing to him.)
ABIOLA:
Oladipo, her husband! Thou art safe!
They feared thee lost to highwaymen or worse!
Behold the wealth that waited for thy hand!
(She points to the chest. Oladipo stares, his eyes wide with a new understanding.)
OLADIPO:
Found here? At home? When he was far away,
Chasing a ghost of fortune in the fray?
Ifá, thou art the master, he the fool.
He broke the taboo, he ignored the rule!
(Enter KING ADETOKUNBO and BABA FAKUNLE.)
KING ADETOKUNBO:
The wanderer returns, with lesson learn'd!
His prideful quest hath been justly overturn'd.
The wealth that's meant for thee will find its way,
If on the path of patience thou dost stay.
BABA FAKUNLE:
(His voice calm and wise)
"If one is given counsel and one heeds the counsel, the world will be agreeable to one."
He sought'st the truth, and found it in the pit;
He sought'st the wealth, and found it when thou quit
His headstrong path. The universe aligns
With those who follow the celestial signs.
OLADIPO:
(Kneeling, not in shame, but in reverence)
He understands at last. His head was hot
With pride and haste, a foolish, eager plot.
He sought to force the hand of destiny.
He shall remain at home, where he should be.
His life from henceforth is Ifá's to guide.
No more will he let arrogance abide.
(ESU gives a final, satisfied nod to the audience and disappears. All characters join in a tableau of peace and understanding.)
The Moral Verse (Recited by the Chorus)
(If the play were part of a larger performance, a chorus would step forward to deliver the final moral, a traditional ese Ifá summary.)
CHORUS:
"The child of a Babaláwo is he who wakes up and shoots the arrow of alcohol,
When the child of a Babaláwo shoots his alcoholic arrows,
Those who lack wealth will be blessed with abundant wealth.
The invalids will rise up and walk."
This Odu teaches:
Speak the truth, though the sky should fall.
Heed the counsel of the wise and old.
Patience, persistence, and discipline are key.
Your blessing waits where destiny has set its mark.
FINIS
Act IV
Scene 1
(Oladipo's home, now a respectable compound. Oladipo, dressed in rich, yet simple robes, oversees servants. The atmosphere is peaceful. BABA FAKUNLE sits with the King.)
KING ADETOKUNBO:
Thy penitence, Oladipo, is a balm
To my own soul, which once was filled with storm
Of pride and anger. Now thy fortunes shine,
A testament to counsel most divine.
OLADIPO:
My liege, the wealth is but a simple test.
He who gains much must put it to the best
Of uses, for the many, not the few.
Ifá demands we see the journey through.
He built new schools and fed the hungry soul,
And made the community again feel whole.
The hidden chest has filled the town with light,
By doing what the oracle deems right.
BABA FAKUNLE:
(To Oladipo)
The Odu speaks of one who gains respect.
Thou wert the lion whom all did neglect,
Upon whose back the animals would climb.
Now they shall fear thy wisdom for all time.
But fear is not enough; thou must lead well,
And banish any lingering prideful spell.
OLADIPO:
He understands, father. His path is clear.
To serve the people, banishing all fear
Of want, and guide them with Ifá's own code.
His wealth is theirs, a shared and common load.
(Enter a MESSENGER, running, looking worried.)
MESSENGER:
My King! A crisis! News from borders far!
The neighboring kingdom, led by HATRED's star,
Doth raise an army, marching to our gates!
They seek our wealth, and damn us to our fates!
KING ADETOKUNBO:
A war? When peace doth finally reside?
Oladipo, what counsel dost thou provide?
(Oladipo pauses, looking at the blind priest and then to his King. Esu appears briefly in the shadows, an interested spectator.)
Scene 2
(The war council. The King and his Chiefs, including Oladipo, are gathered. Weapons are being sharpened, war drums lightly beating.)
CHIEF OGUNDIPE:
We ride to battle! Meet them on the plain!
Let Ogun's iron pour down like heavy rain!
Our men are strong, our cause is just and bright!
OLADIPO:
(Calmly, yet firmly)
No, fellow chiefs, force is not the answer,
Until the meaning from Ifá we can garner.
Hasty actions once caused great pain;
Let wisdom guide, and every fear restrain.
The Odu speaks of counsel and of mind;
If a treaty can be made, a path we'll find.
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