Literature-in-English
Let me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo
Subject: Literature-in-English
Theme: Introduction to an African Drama
Topic: Let me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo
Sub Topic:
Date: dd/mm/yyyy
Class: S.S 2
Average Age: 15 years and above
Duration: 40 Minutes
No of Learners: 40
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. explain the background setting of the playwright.
John Kolosa Kargbo is one of the vibrant and prolific Sierra Leone dramatists. Most of his extremely well-crafted plays were written in the vernacular, Krio, and they were warmly received when staged in Freetown. These works of art were accepted because they addressed the fundamental ills that ravaged the Sierra Leonean society.Let me die alone is one of the few plays he wrote in English and like others staged in Seirra Leone.
His other play titled 'Poyo Togn Wahala' was brilliantly crafted that it portrayed the corruption, incompetence and indifference of the ruling elite. This particular work incurred him wrath of the then government in Seirra Leone thus he was forced to go into exile in Nigeria.
2. explain the background setting of the play.
The dramatic text “Let me Die Alone” was written in sierra leone and initially, it was written in one of the sierra Leone’s vernacular, Krio. It satirizes the ills of the country’s colonized society since it criticizes the corruption, ineptitude and extreme quest for power which is common in sierra Leonean ruling class. All these attitudes provoked Kargbo’s spirit to write this drama and he was later forced to go to exile in Nigeria where he continued his education and wrote more satiric plays. The play “Let me Die Alone” is set in Mende tribe of Sierra Leone in the pre-colonial era. The play centres on feminist struggles that are common themes in African literature today, and this permeates the entire play.3. Explain the plot summary of the play.
Let Me Die Alone, sums up the prevalence of betrayal in a typical African traditional society. Its setting in Senehun and Moyamba villages of the Mende Kingdom, the play brings to prominence the evils and disasters the desperation for power and the infidelity of one’s trusted persons can inflict on the society. There is a reflection of what evil excessive desire for power portends. The duo of Musa and Lamboi, blinded by their inordinate crave for power (i.e the throne of the chief), betray two successive chiefs. They are also directly involved in the murders of both Gbanya and Jeneba and by extension, the suicidal death of Yoko.The play opens with the lovemaking scene between Gbanya, the chief of Senehun and Yoko, his favourite among his thirty seven wives. A guard interrupts their romance with a message that the Colonial Governor is on his way to Senehun. Gbanya is saddened by the intended visit of the Governor and preoccupied by the dreams he has had before now about his father calling him home. In Africa, when the predecessor of a king or chief calls him, what this means is that the incumbent will will soon join his ancestors. In the light of this, Gbanya has the premonition that something bad will happen to him soon. The knowledge that he sided John Caulker against his brother, George Caulker in an all white war further confirms his fears and unseats his heart.
At first, Yoko tries to dissuade him from engaging himself with such negative thoughts. Later when the latter is unyielding to her advice, she reminds him of his promise to bequeath the throne to her at his demise. Gbanya objects vehemently to such arrangement. He lays claim to the fact that Mende Land is in a state of chaos and disorder. It needs a man to right the wrongs. We encounter Musa and Lamboi next. Those two are presumably members of Gbanya’s administration. Lamboi, who wants to become the chief, seeks for the cooperation of Musa in killing Gbanya.
At first, Musa refuses to oblige to Lamboi’s evil agenda. He later accepts to help when Lamboi threatens to reveal his secret of human sacrifices. The anticipated Colonial Governor, Dr Rowe, comes to Senehun and as expected, he outrightly humiliates Gbanya for supporting a white brother against the other. Lamboi and Musa capitalize on this and poison Gbanya after the Governor has left. While in his death throes, Gbanya is quick to recognize he has been poisoned and the reason he is poisoned. He attempts to hand over power to Yoko before he dies. He dies while doing so. Triumphantly, Lamboi proclaims himself the new chief. However, suspicious Yoko, who is convinced that Gbanya has been killed by the duo, objects to the pronouncement. She assumes the mantle of leadership instead.
In the following scenes, there is a rapid growth in Yoko’s powers with her servitude to the Governor and the expansion of her chiefdom. We witness a shift in her government’s seat from Senehun to Moyamba. We also witness the infidelity of Jilo to Ndapi. Jilo is involved in extra marital affairs with Lansana. Ndapi, the chief warrior, is portrayed as a woman-beater, one who maltreats his wife. Jilo would later seek solace in her affair with Lansana. Their only daughter, Jeneba by name, a very sharp young girl, visits the palace frequently.
Yoko who has had enough powers already wishes she can switch places with one of her attendants. Being a Poro woman, Yoko can not conceive. She wishes she is a mother instead of a queen. While this is on, Musa and Lamboi do not relent in their ploy to eliminate Yoko and take take the kingdom for themselves. They marvel at how Yoko has successfully managed the affairs of the chiefdom and her dexterity in maintaining a good diplomatic relationship with the Governor. They decide to kill Jeneba and incite the people against her (Yoko). Ndapi, on the other hand, catches an unsuspecting Jilo during one of her numerous escapades with Lansana. He drags her to the palace. Yoko placates Ndapi, promising to deal severely with Jilo. Yoko thereafter embarks on a stately visit to the Governor’s place. Before her journey, Jeneba is kidnapped by Musa and Lamboi as a start to their nefarious plan.
Yoko orders for a mount of a search team to unravel the disappearance of Jeneba. While she is away, their plans (Musa and Lamboi’s) soon come into motion. They kill Jeneba and impress the people into believing that Yoko is the guilty evil doer here. They poison the mind of the people, the village’s Sande women, Jilo and most especially, the father of the child, Ndapi. Upon her arrival, Yoko is called several unprintable names. She is called a “witch”, “murderer” etc. Yoko is baffled by the people’s sudden change in attitude towards her. She is more confused when Ndapi questions her legitimacy. When she realises she had been accused of having buried Jeneba alive to sustain her in power and allow good favour from the Governor, she denies having a hand in Jeneba’s disappearance and pleads innocent. Ndapi will not listen to any of these. Rather he attributes her heartlessness to her inability to procreate. Fortunately for the queen, the dead body of Jeneba is found mutilated; her heart and private part cut off. Everyone realises that Yoko has been wrongly accused. Ndapi, in particular, tries to make amends for the humiliation he has made her go through. Yoko announces that she will unravel the matter to its very root at the Poro Bush.
After a thorough investigation, she discovers Lamboi and Musa are the causes of Jeneba’s death. Ndapi attempts to go after them but Yoko reminds him of the consequence of their actions: Their noses will rot, cataracts will marry their eyeballs, leprosy will devour their fingers and elephantiasis will cling to their legs. That is the Gbeni’s revenge.Yoko, Let Me Die Alone. The messenger is then introduced. He has come to dispatch the Governor’s message to Yoko. Despite his big vocabulary, it is discovered he belongs to the Poro society as well. The Governor instructs Yoko to relinquish her conquered territories. This is the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Yoko realises she has been overwhelmed by depression, a disease of the mind. She poisons herself amidst pleas from everyone.
4. Explain Act by Act Summary of the plot.
(i) Act One. Scenes 1 – 3.This first act forms the background to this play. The reader gets the dispositions of chief Gbanya who is virile in nature as he tries to force a protesting Madam Yoko to go to bed with him. He is convinced that all a woman is fit for are: to dance, to sing, to cook and satisfy her husband’s sexual desire. He is seen being disturbed by his the Governor’s impending visit and he has a premonition that he is about to die. His wife Yoko sees his firm determination to die, she reminds him of his resolve to hand over the chiefdom to her. Lamboi, Musa and Ndapi are men from the land who are convinced that women can never occupy positions of authority and Lamboi, as Yoko’s brother is seriously eyeing the chiefdom. He consults Musa, a medicine man who prepares poison that will kill Gbanya instantly before he realizes himself and hands Over the power to Yoko a mere woman. Gbanya gets prepared to receive the governor in a grand style but was beaten up by his representatives. In his serious state, Lamboi and Musa poisons him in the pretence of helping to resuscitate him but his wife takes charge of the chiefdom and resolved never to bear a child.
(11) ACT Two: SCENE 1 – 3
Yoko has taken proper and complete charge of the chiefdom. Her exploits and fame are known all over the land and beyond. The wisdom with which she judges matters is commendable. The governor sends his messenger to her Highness, Madam Yoko, to monitor the affairs of the state and get back to him. Yoko in her wisdom, gives the messenger a warm and befitting welcome. Lamboi and Musa are embittered about the fame and commendations and they plot to pull her down by kidnapping Jeneba, Ndapis daughter and raising alarm that Yoko has used her for ritual which will make her either to die or go into exile.
ACT 3: SCENE 1 – 3
The governor has given Yoko a leave and sent her to crown two chiefs in Taiama. On embarking on the journey, Yoko gives her chiefdom to Lamboi and Musa then connived to use this opportunity to perfect their evil plans, kidnapped Jeneba, kill her, removed her sensitive parts and bury her in the bush. They poisoned the villagers’ minds to believe that Yoko has used her for ritual but the culprits were discovered. In the midst of all these, a massenger brings a letter from the governor to Yoko informing her that the Bouiday order has been laid by the District Commissioner on the Governor’s order therefore Yoko must cease from being in charge of the chiefdom since the Chiefdom has been given to another region Yoko could not stand the shame of being used and dumped by the governor and she drinks poison and died.
5. Discuss the themes in the play.
John Kolosa Kaegbo's Let me die alone explores the topical issues of colonialism, gender discrimination, betrayal, excessive desire for power, suicide, homicide, human sacrifice, and a listless other. These issues further accentuate the artistic quality and social relevance of the play.1. THEME OF COLONIALISM and COLONIALIST ARROGANCE
We see this theme manifest at the very beginning of the play. Gbanya who was about to get intimate with his beloved wife became troubled at the arrival of the message that the Governor is visiting Senehun.Despite his mixed feeling and predictions that Governor Rowe might come to humiliate him, we saw a lot of preparations going on to receive the Governor. Upon arrival, the height of the Governor's arrogance is demonstrated when he commands his soldiers to strip chief Gbanya for flogging. Even on his arrival, when Gbanya attempts to embrace him, but he told him not put his filthy hands on him.
This is however a denigrating treatment of the traditional ruler by the Governor. Rowe's treatment of Gbanya is highly suggestive of the aura of impudence and self —professed superiority colonial administrators exuded.
Furthermore, the colonial master exudes her superiority by striping off Yoko her newly acquired territories without breaking a sweat. It will be recollected that Yoko painstakingly consults the governor before she embarks on her conquest of new territories. She does not go off limit but the governor strips her of the territories all the same. This shows the colonial administrators took Africans and their rulers for granted.
Through these instances in the play, John Kargbo buttresses the puppetry and powerlessness of African traditional rulers during colonialization.
2. THEME OF BETRAYAL
The theme of betrayal is one of the most prevalent themes in the play. The theme significantly develops the plot and accentuate the social relevance of the play, especially to our present African society. Gbanya trusts Musa, the seer and the medicine man, but one who suppose be the incorruptible loyalist to the throne connive with Lamboi who notjust his trusted warrior, but also a brother to his most loved wife, Yoko. Musa poisoned Gbanya under the pretense that the medicine will alleviate his pain sustained from the strokes he gets from the Governor's soldiers. These evil duos also betrayed the entire the community who trusted them as they instigated them against Yoko over the disappearance and subsequently the death of Jeneba. Their obsession for power drives all of these evil and treacherous acts.In a similar stance, in the play, we see how Yoko responded to Governor Rowe message to on boundary demarcation, which was least expected as a reward for her servitude to the colonial master. Rowe betrays her long years of services and loyalty without blinking an eyelid.
3. THEME OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION
The theme of gender discrimination cannot be over-emphasised in Karpgbo's "Let me die alone" it is also a prevalent theme that actively contributed to the development of the plot.In Senehun and Mendeland at large, women are not treated as equals of men. Women are considered fragile, vulnerable and incapable of managing crises. We saw this played out at the beginning of the play when Gbanya drags Yoko into his bedroom and he claims that his need of her is more important than the Sande women, he even says they can continue to dance till they die but his sexual needs should be her priority.
Secondly, we learnt from Yoko's discussion with Gbanya that she had been promised to be his successor, but now that it looks like it time for Gbanya to transcend to the land of his ancestors, he reluctantly validate his promises.
More importantly, the conflict in the play builds up because Lamboi felt the necessity to take the throne from Gbanya because he has the knowledge that it might be handover to Yoko, a woman, whom he thinks might not be able to lead the chiefdom to war.
However, Yoko's doggedness allows her to a chief in Mende land that she had to forgo her innate right to bring a child to the world when she decides to join the Poro cult.
4. THEME OF OBSESSION FOR POWER
Lamboi's obsession for the throne and power would have him do anything within and outside his reach to achieve. We see this played out when he visited Musa, the seer and the medicine man, to plot against Gbanya but Musa's refusal further shows that Lamboi would not take a no for an answer. He further blackmailed the seer in other to influence his decision to join him execute his evil plans. In his desperation to become the chief, he kills a chief and inspires the death of an innocent child, Jeneba and even imprint on the mind of the people of Senehun the impression that she was buried alive by the Queen.5. THEME OF HOMICIDE
Theme of Homicide is explored in the character of Musa and Lamboi. These evil duos poisoned Chief Gbanya and they also killed Jeneba, the only daughter of Ndapi and Jilo.6. THEME OF HUMAN SACRIFICE
Lamboi succeeded in getting Musa, the chief priest, on his side of evil plans to kill Gbanya because Musa indulges in human sacrifice, which he uses as a stance to black mail him. We learnt through Lamboi that he often sacrifices children in order to gain prosperity, good health and longevity. Also, the cruel death and mutilation of Jeneba considerably spells out human sacrifice in the play.7. THEME OF SUICIDE
When the people of Senehun; the Sande women and Ndapi humiliated, embarrassed and wrongly accused Yoko of sacrificing her to the gods to get the favor of the colonial masters and for power to get more territories. Yoko fell into depression and the sudden reality of her inability to bring a child to the world as used to hunt her by Ndapi made her sorrowful "a disease of the mind".While she was still dealing with sorrow from the humiliation she gets from her subjects, the arrival of the message from Dr Rowe adds salt further to her injury. It was the last straw that breaks the camel's back She commits suicide. She poisons herself amidst pleas from her trusted attendants.
8. Theme of Masculinity and female subjugation
Most male characters in this play exhibit the fact that they have sexual strength and energy and see women as toys and objects used to quench their sexual urge. This is seen in Gbanya’s behavior towards Yoko.Lansana engages in extra marital affairs since he believes that one woman is not just good enough for one man and that a man should also taste many other women.
Ndapi treats his wife as a slave as can be seen in the way he orders her in pg 26.
9. Female power
Yoko proves the claims that women are weaker vessels to be wrong by her wits and wisdom. She proves her husband and others who are convinced that a woman cannot rule wrong. The villains of the play: Lamboi and Musa plot to poison chief Gbanya and wrest power from him because they are convinced that the weak Gbanya will hand over the rulership of the kingdom to Madam Yoko and they are not prepared to allow a woman to rule over them. After poisoning and death of Gbanya, Yoko shows her power by coming in the royal hut with matchet in her hand. Female power, wits and wisdom is also seen in the way Yoko handles the chiefdom, capturing more boundaries for the colonial lords which her late husband, Gbanya could not do.6. Enumerate the Characters.
(a) Major Characters1. Chief Gbanya Lango: He is the ruler of Menda chiefdom and Yokos husband. He is polygamous which makes him marry thirty–seven wives. He believes that women are only meant to satisfy men’s sexual urge. Among all his wives, Yoko is endeared more to his heart which makes him to hand over the chiefdom to her. He was later poisoned by Lamboi and Musa his kinsmen.
2. Madam Yoko:– Gbanya’s favorite wife a courageous and strong woman who believes that women are also human. She is a lover of Music and act as a seer. She rules over Mende after the death of her husband and exhibits a sense of authority and in the process forced to forgo the delights of her womanliness in order to prove that she can be and act like a man. She receives a great commendation from her imperial Majesty the Queen of Great Britain. She commits suicide by taking poison.
3. Ndapi: Ndapi is the chief warrior of Senehun. H e is the father and husband to Jeneba and Jilo respectively. He is portrayed as an insensitive man and a wife beater in the play. He inflicts pain on Jilo at any slightest mistakes. Even Jeneba confirms to Chief Yoko that her father has been beating her mother, Jilo.
He is a very loyal warrior to chief Gbanya and at his demise he was ready to resign his position but Yoko stops him from laying down his spear.
His wife's infidelity and the subsequent death of his daughter, Jeneba unsettled him. He blamed his wife and later blames Yoko when he believed the story of lamboi and Musa.
He insults Yoko and hinders her from getting to the throne, calls her many unprintable names. He, however return to seek Yoko's forgiveness when the truth behind the killing of Jeneba was revealed.
4. Musa: He is the seer and medicine man in Mende kingdom, well respected and trusted. He betrays Gbanya when he connived with Lamboi to hijack the leadership of Senehun kingdom. He poisoned King Gbanya with Alligator gall.
5. Lamboi: He is Yoko's brother who is hell-bent on ascending the throne of Senehun. He deploys blackmail and intrigues to achieve his purpose. He is portrayed in the play as one who is over-ambitions and won’t stop at nothing to get what he is obsessed about. He connives with the seer and the medicine man through blackmail to poison Gbanya. He strategizes to unseat Yoko from the throne and to achieve that, he suggests the kidnapping and killing of the little Jeneba just to accuse Yoko and in turn set the people against Chief Yoko.
(b) Minor Characters
1. Jeneba: she is the only daughter of Ndapi and Jilo. Jeneba was portrayed as brilliant little girl and was very loved by Queen Yoko. Lamboi and Musa murdered Jeneba as a means to blackmail the queen and the dead of the caused Yoko a huge humiliation for barrenness.
2. Governor Samuel Rowe: He is a colonial master who undermines Africans and African rulers both in actions and with the use of derogatory utterances. In Act 1, scene 3. Rowe said to King Gbanya, "If you annoy me, Gbanya. I will cut out that lying tongue. Soldiers! If anyone makes just one false move. I will pump him full of hot lead. And now, this will teach you never again to go against the command of her Imperial Majesty in whose service I am proud to be. It will teach you to confine your war boys at home. (Signals to another soldier who brings out a whip which Gbanya is beaten). Stop! Now you dog, get up! You will pay a fine of fifty pounds in the equivalent of cattle and rice. And next time you disobey my orders, you will be arrested and locked up in the colony". He is autocratic without respect for traditional institution, he treats the Sande dancer with scorn and thinks highly of what he has done to Mende.
3. Jilo: Jilo is a careless mother to Jeneba, because her carelessness exposed Jeneba to her untimely and gory death. She is also portrayed as an unfaithful wife to Ndapi, the chief warrior, she seems not to be happy in her marriage as we see lot of ineffectiveness in carrying out her domestic duties such as delays in cooking for her husband, delays in fetching firewood and all of these display of ineffectiveness get on Ndapi nerves and he doesn't hesitate to beat or inflict pain on her at any slightest mistakes or query. She was caught by her husband flirting with Lansana in the bush. Jilo's daughter Jeneba draws her closeness with Madam Yoko who is fond and adopted her daughter since she can not have a child of her own. As a result of her closeness to the royalty, she is privy to some vital information, for instance, she reveals to her husband that chief Yoko plans that move Mende's capital from Senehun to Moyamba.
In addition, Jilo's carelessness exposes Jeneba to danger as she was abducted and killed by Lamboi and Musa.
4. Lansana: Lansana is captive from one of the numerous war trip that Gbanya embarked and conquered. Yoko saved him from death when he was brought back as a slave. He has three wives but still goes to make love to Jilo, a wife of his own friend, Ndapi. When he Ndapi finds out the affairs between him and his wife, he runs away to Taiama knowing the gravity of his offence. Although, Jilo finds him a better man than her husband because he admires, tressures her and make her feel proud as a woman than her husband.
Other characters are:
5. Lavalie
6. Fanneh
7. Musu
8. Messenger
Rationale:
The play 'Let Me Die Alone' is based on the historical Madam Yoko or Mammy Yoko (1849-1906) of the Mende people in Sierra Leone. She was a leader and a legendary monarch of the Mende people in Sierra Leone. According to history, she is from an advantageous lineage coupled with her shrewd marriage choices and the power given to her from the secret Sande society, Yoko became a leader of considerable influence that she expanded the Mende Kingdom and at the time of her death, she was the ruler of the vast Kpa Mende Confederacy.The play, however, addresses the gender struggles of the famous madam Yoko, the crises she encountered within her chiefdom, the sacrifices and her courageous decision to joins all-male secret society and the wielded tremendous influence with the colonial masters. She however, felt betrayed despite her influence with the colonial rulers, that she was instructed to relinquish her conquered territories. This is the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Prerequisite/ Previous knowledge:
Storyings, songs, history etc.Learning Resources:
Flash cards, an audio video youtube examples, Available useful objects.Reference Materials:
1. Exam focus on Literature in English by J.O.J Nwachukwu et’al.2. Standard literature in English vol.4 by Tony Duru
3. Let me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo
4. Internet sources
Lesson Development:
STAGE |
TEACHER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNING POINTS |
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| STEP 1: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE full class session (3 mins) |
The teacher Introduces the lesson by asking questions based on previous knowledge. 1. What is Figures of Speech? 2. What are the categories of Figures of Speech? 3. List and explain Elements of Drama. |
The students respond to the questions based on previous knowledge.1. Figures of speechFigures of speech are expressions that make language more vivid, imaginative, and clear. They help to emphasize ideas in a more compelling way.2. Categories of Figures of Speech(a) Figures of Similarity or Comparison E.gSimile: An indirect comparison using "like" or "as." Example: Uche eats like a dog. Metaphor: A direct comparison between two things. Example: She has a heart of stone. (b) Figures of Imagination E.g Hyperbole: An exaggeration for emphasis. Example: Tony is bigger than a two-storey building. Personification: Giving human traits to non-human objects. Example: The sun is walking all over the globe. (c) Figures of Sound E.g Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds in a line. Example: I saw a dead devil. Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds in a line. Example: Flourishing flowers. Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds. Example: The bee buzzes. (d) Figures of Association E.g Irony: Using words with opposite meanings to imply something else. Example: Uju is the fattest girl in the class (meaning she is thin). Euphemism: Mild or polite expression for something harsh. Example: He kicked the bucket (meaning he died). Paradox: A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals truth. Example: It is better to give than to receive. Sarcasm: A sharp, mocking remark. Example: She looks so beautiful after the beating. Synecdoche: Using a part to represent the whole or vice versa. Example: All hands on deck. Oxymoron: Placing two opposite words side by side. Example: Open secret. Metonymy: Using an object closely associated with something to represent it. Example: The Pulpit should be careful (refers to clergy). Epigram: A short, witty statement with a deeper meaning. Example: Nothing is permanent but change. Antithesis: Using contrast to express an idea. Example: Man proposes, God disposes. Repetition: Repeating words for emphasis. Example: He that will come, will come. Pun: A play on words with similar sounds but different meanings. Example: Better be late than the late. Rhetorical Question: A question asked for effect, not an answer. Example: Who can battle with God? Litotes: Understatement using negative terms. Example: She is not wise (meaning foolish). Allusion: Reference to events, people, history, or literature. Example: Obedient to God is bearing the cross (Biblical allusion). Apostrophe: Addressing an absent person or object directly. Example: Oh! God, listen to me. Symbolism: Using symbols to represent ideas or concepts. Example: The cross represents suffering or Christianity. 3. Elements of Drama• Theme: The central idea or message that the playwright wants to convey.• Setting: Refers to the location and time where the action of the play takes place. • Plot: The sequence of events or actions that make up the story. • Characters: The imaginary people created by the playwright, classified into major and minor roles. • Conflict: This is the struggle, argument or disagreement between two characters in a play mainly the protagonist and the antagonist. Conflict can be individual or societal type. It brings about suspens. • Soliloquy: A speech made by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts. • Protagonist: The main character around whom the story revolves. • Dialogue: The conversation between two or more characters in the play. • Climax: The point of highest tension in the play, where the action reaches its peak. • Suspense: A dramatic technique where the audience is left anticipating what will happen next. • Act: A major division in a play, often marking a shift in time, setting, or action. |
Reversing previous lesson |
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| STEP 2: INTRODUCTION full class session (5 mins) Identification of prior ideas. |
The teacher review/introduce what they are going to study today, A play “Let me Die Alone” by John K. Kargbo.
Introduction to the play "Let Me Die Alone" by John K. KargboThe play is in three short acts. The play open at Senehun in Gbanya's bedroom amidst Sande drumming offstage,with Gbanya pulling a shouting Yoko, his wife, into the room. Yoko has been dislodged from the company of her Sande Women to come and attend to emotional urge of her husband. She protests as Gbanya forces her to his bed. This protest gradually changes to ecstatic and sensual moans but soon interrupted by violent knocking offstage, Gbanya receives message that Governor Rowe will be visiting tomorrow which is unsual. Gbanya calls meeting of his warriors as he suspects Rowe's visit might have to do with the boys he hired out to to John Caulker to fight against his brother, George. Yoko senses that her husband is troubled and he confirms that he is unwell and even fears to sleep at night because of constant visits of his ancestors to him in his dream, imploring him to join them. It dawns on Gbanya that his end is imminent. Yoko suggest sacrifices to ensure a peaceful journey, believing that he should not die without honour.Gbanya prepares to receive his foe, the Governor with greatest gifts but his wife Yoko thinks differently; the warrior must be put on the alert to forstall any eventuality. She reminds him of his promise to hand over the chiefdom to her at his death. Gbanya wants to change his mind on this because of many enemies hovering around the chiefdom to wipe off his people and reasons that a man will hold the forth better than a woman at the helm of affairs. Gbanya prefers to handover the chiefdom to Ndapi but Yoko would not want to share her bed with Ndapi as custom demands that a new king inherits the wives of the old one. Yoko also draws his attention to the different women who have reigned successfully over some chiefdoms for many years,such as Take Yoya,Kema of Galu, Fangawa of Wando, Kpands Gbello of Leppiama, e cetera. Gbanya agrees they are good rulers and also good lovers in bed and drags her to bed to show him how good she is too. Lamboi is equally interested in taking over the chiefdom from Gbanya but fears that his sister,Yoko, may succeed to persuade and compel her husband to hand over the chiefdom to her. He therefore connives with Musa,the seer to plot the death of Gbanya before he makes any commitment to Yoko,his wife ." All I want you to do is to kill the chief and help me to prevent the chiefdom from falling into the hands of a woman". Gbanya wants to give five fat cows,five fat rams and sheep as presents to the governor. When Governor arrived he accuses the chief of sending his warriors to fight on John Caulker's side against his brother, which the Governor sees as a direct affront against his order that there should be no more fighting. Gbanya denies,but the governor humiliates him by ordering his soldiers to stretch him out on the ground and beat him with a whip. The chief equally find to pay fifty pounds in the equivalence of cattle and rice. The Governor and his team leave. Lamboi and Musa cash him on this development to give the chief a poisoned drink to kill him, pretending it is meant to relieve his pains. On realizing that death is inevitable,he curses his killers and instructs Yoko to take charge of the chiefdom. Lamboi tries to talk her out the idea of becoming Chief because she had to join Poro cult which would prevent her from bearing children,but she insists she is ready. She moans her husband and becomes the next ruler of Mende Chiefdom. The duo of Musa and Lamboi, blinded by their inordinate crave for power (i.e the throne of the chief), betray two successive chiefs. They are also directly involved in the murders of both Gbanya and Jeneba and by extension, the suicidal death of Yoko. Musa and Lamboi next. Those two are presumably members of Gbanya’s administration. Lamboi, who wants to become the chief, seeks for the cooperation of Musa in killing Gbanya. At first, Musa refuses to oblige to Lamboi’s evil agenda. He later accepts to help when Lamboi threatens to reveal his secret of human sacrifices. In the following scenes, there is a rapid growth in Yoko’s powers with her servitude to the Governor and the expansion of her chiefdom. We witness a shift in her government’s seat from Senehun to Moyamba. We also witness the infidelity of Jilo to Ndapi. Jilo is involved in extra marital affairs with Lansana. Ndapi, the chief warrior, is portrayed as a woman-beater, one who maltreats his wife. Jilo would later seek solace in her affair with Lansana. Their only daughter, Jeneba by name, a very sharp young girl, visits the palace frequently. Yoko who has had enough powers already wishes she can switch places with one of her attendants. Being a Poro woman, Yoko can not conceive. She wishes she is a mother instead of a queen. While this is on, Musa and Lamboi do not relent in their ploy to eliminate Yoko and take the kingdom for themselves. They marvel at how Yoko has successfully managed the affairs of the chiefdom and her dexterity in maintaining a good diplomatic relationship with the Governor. They decide to kill Jeneba and incite the people against her (Yoko). Ndapi, on the other hand, catches an unsuspecting Jilo during one of her numerous escapades with Lansana. He drags her to the palace. Yoko placates Ndapi, promising to deal severely with Jilo. Yoko thereafter embarks on a stately visit to the Governor’s place. While she is away, their plans (Musa and Lamboi’s) soon come into motion. They kill Jeneba and impress the people into believing that Yoko is the guilty evil doer here. They poison the mind of the people, the village’s Sande women, Jilo and most especially, the father of the child, Ndapi. Upon her arrival, Yoko is called several unprintable names. She is called a “witch”, “murderer” etc. Yoko is baffled by the people’s sudden change in attitude towards her. She is more confused when Ndapi questions her legitimacy. When she realises she had been accused of having buried Jeneba alive to sustain her in power and allow good favour from the Governor, she denies having a hand in Jeneba’s disappearance and pleads innocent. Ndapi will not listen to any of these. Rather he attributes her heartlessness to her inability to procreate. Fortunately for the queen, the dead body of Jeneba is found mutilated; her heart and private part cut off. Everyone realises that Yoko has been wrongly accused. Ndapi, in particular, tries to make amends for the humiliation he has made her go through. Yoko announces that she will unravel the matter to its very root at the Poro Bush. After a thorough investigation, she discovers Lamboi and Musa are the causes of Jeneba’s death. Ndapi attempts to go after them but Yoko reminds him of the consequence of their actions: "THEIR NOSES WILL ROT, CATARACTS WILL MARRY THEIR EYEBALLS, LEPROSY WILL DEVOUR THEIR FINGERS AND ELEPHANTIASIS WILL CLING TO THEIR LEGS. THAT IS THE GBENI’S REVENGE. YOKO, LET ME DIE ALONE" The messenger is then introduced. He has come to dispatch the Governor’s message to Yoko. Despite his big vocabulary, it is discovered he belongs to the Poro society as well. The Governor instructs Yoko to relinquish her conquered territories. This is the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Yoko realises she has been overwhelmed by depression, a disease of the mind. She poisons herself amidst pleas from everyone. |
The students listen attentively to the teacher. | Introducing the topic for discussion to arouse their interests and refresh their memories. |
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| STEP 3: DEVELOPMENT Group Work (2 mins) |
The teacher guides the learners to form four groups and asks them to choose their leaders and secretaries. | Learners choose their group leaders and secretaries. | Inculcating leadership skills, competitive spirit, cooperation, teamwork and a sense of responsibility among learners. |
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| STEP 4: EXPLORATION 3 mins Mode: Individual |
The teacher presents to the class the instructional resources and guides the students to explain the setting of the text. | The students explain the setting of the text. The dramatic text “Let me Die Alone” was written in sierra leone and initially, it was written in one of the sierra Leone’s vernacular, Krio. It satirizes the ills of the country’s colonized society since it criticizes the corruption, ineptitude and extreme quest for power which is common in sierra Leonean ruling class. All these attitudes provoked Kargbo’s spirit to write this drama and he was later forced to go to exile in Nigeria where he continued his education and wrote more satiric plays. The play “Let me Die Alone” is set in Mende tribe of Sierra Leone in the pre colonial era. The play centres on feminist struggles that are common themes in African literature today, and this permeates the entire play. |
The Setting of the dramatic text. |
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| STEP 5: DISCUSSION 5 mins. Mode: Group |
The teacher guides the learners to explain the plot summary of the play. | The Students explay the plot summary of the play. let me die alone is based on the historical marital life and time of madam ke a legendary monarch of the mended people. The play addresses the gender struggles of the famous madam ke who was the first notable female paramount chief over the mended people in the southern province of sieve Leone. Although she was influential with the British and was one most powerful rulers of the kpna mended confederacy her femaleness remained at the core of the many crises she encountered both within and without her chiefdom playwright John kolosa kargbo fondly known as JK in the theatre world depicts the life of this celebrated female ruler in “let me Did alone’’ in his portrayal ke is a beautiful ambitious and courageous woman who joins all male secret society the fearer l poro society and consequently loses her right to motherhood though not to her sexuality. The play is based on the marriage life and reign of queen ke, the famous queens of the mended people. The drama was written in 1996 looks at the struggle between man and woman, especially the famous ke who was the first major chief of the mended people Even though she influence with the British, her "Womanless" gave her a lot of trouble within and outside her kingdom. The courageous beautiful and ambitious ke join an all-male secret society (poro society) and therefore loses her right to mother hood. As a male-female ke is feared by her male counter-parts envied by women and used by the British rulers According to history, before Gbanye ( yoko’s husband) died in 1878, he had asked Governor Rowe to secure the throne for yoko, his senior wife. Never the less, ke did not get the kingship until move (Gbanye’s successor) died in 1884. The British rule then choose her rule for their selfish interest. She maintains a good relationship with the British colonialist unit her death in 1906 |
The plot summary of the play |
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| STEP 6: APPLICATION 4 mins Mode: Group |
The Teacher guides the students to list the characterization and roles | The Students list the characterization and roles 1. Madam Yoko: She is the the wife of Gbanya and she is the loveliest wife among all thirty seven wives. Yoko must exhibit all the manly attitudes and instincts in both words and actions. Notwithstanding royal forces incited by Lamboi and Musa who believe that a woman can never rule. Yoko's character is used in the play to counter the traditional myths that portray women as unimportant in national affairs. She convices and persuade her husband Gbanya to stick to the promise of handling over the throne to her after his death. She is a dire hard woman who for the sake of royal power sacrifices childbearing expected of a woman. Madam Yoko is forced to forget the pleasure of womanliness in order to convince her people that she can act like a full fledged man. Her character of cruelty and brutality is due to the fact that for her to thrive in the complex male dominating society filled with political manipulation and exploitation. She uses wits, Wisdom courage and strength of character to defeat her people in all their allevil machinations and mount on the throne. Yoko brings about her tragic ends by killing herself. Her death is caused by falsity of the British government who breaks her kingdom and reduce her power and popularity. As a tragic heroine, Yoko would not want to live and face humiliation from the British, thus, she commits suicide. 2. Gbanya Lango: He is an ancient traditional figure and a ruler of Mende Chiefdom. He is a multi polygamist living with thirty seven wives among whom is Yoko. Gbanya is flawed by moral flexibility as he uses his throne to make promise this wife on the euphoria of matrimonial pleasure. Sadly , King Gbanya tries to renounce the promise but to no avail. In his time , Gbanya fought many wars to the extent that he joined forces against the Governor's wish. He is brutally humiliated by the Governor who flogs him while lyiny him on the ground before his people. The desecration of his royalty, prestige,coupled with various injuries he sustgaineyin the hands of the soldiers paves way for Musa and Lamboi to poison him to death with an alligator gall . Before he gives up the ghost ,he hands over the throne to Yoko. 3. Lamboi: He is one of the two conspirators in the play. He is the brains behind the deaths of Gbanya and Jeneba. He indicts Yoko for killing Jeneba after the latter foiled his attempt to become the king. He flees when his secret comes open. 4. Musa: Musa is the chief priest of Mendeland. Together with Lamboi, he kills Gbanya and Jeneba to help Lamboi become the chief. He secretly involves himself in different human sacrifices for longevity and prosperity. He flees when Yoko uncovers his noxious deeds in Poro Bush. 5. Ndapi: He is the chief warrior of Mendeland, husband to Jilo and father to Jeneba. He illtreats his wife. He also ridicules Yoko over the hearsay that she killed his daughter. He later apologises to Yoko after the mutilated body of his daughter was unearthed. 6. Jilo: She is Ndapi’s wife and Jeneba’s mother. She is unfaithful to her husband. 7. Jeneba: She is Ndapi and Jilo’s daughter. She frequents the palace. She is Yoko’s foster child. Jeneba reports the domestic violence of her parents to Yoko. She meets her cruel demise in the hands of Lamboi and Musa. 8. Dr Rowe: He is the colonial governor who humiliated Gbanya and betrayed Yoko. He is the sole representative of the imperial Majesty in England. He initiates and implements all the colonial policies and laws without minding it's negative effects on the rural populace. Dr. Rowe as a colonial local champion desecrates African royalty and honour by flogging an ordained King before his people. Being a tyrant, he imposes taxation on the subject of the land where he is living as a stranger. His attitude is the relationale behind the suicidal death of Yoko whom he uses and dumps. |
Characterization and roles. |
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| The Teacher guides students to list and explain the themes of the play. | The students list and explain the themes of the play. 1. THEME OF BETRAYAL: This is probably the most prevalent theme in the play. It plays a significant impact in the plot development of the play. Both Lamboi and Musa betray the community and some prominent characters. Lusting for power, Lamboi recruits the services of Musa, the chief priest to help with his plan to unseat Gbanya permanently from his throne, in order to prevent him from appointing Yoko as his next successor. Musa could have chosen not to comply but he had skeletons in the cupboard; things he would not want the public to get wind of. He has offered human sacrifices severally in exchange for prosperity and longevity. He has long betrayed his good office with his indulgence in human rituals all in the name of seeking the goodies of life. When the opportunity presents itself, the duo betray Gbanya by appearing to relieve him of the lowly humiliation Dr Rowe subjected him to. They poison him, and Lamboi attempts to usurp his throne. Thus, they betray an unsuspecting Gbanya who had trusted them with his life, and taken them as allies. Again, they betray Yoko, Gbanya’s successor. Rather than perform their advisory and priestly duties, Lamboi and Musa choose to mislead the villagers about Yoko. They kill Jeneba, mutilate her and bury her body. However, they cajole the villagers to believe that Yoko has buried the poor girl’s body alive so she could receive favours from the colonial governor. This betrayal and the humiliation that follows largely influence Yoko’s suicide. In a nutshell, Musa and Lamboi betray Gbanya, Yoko and their public offices in their lust for power. 2. THEME OF COLONIALISM: The presence of the colonial governor, the messenger, the fighting white men and the denigrating treatment of local traditional rulers suggest the colonial atmosphere that surrounds the entire play. Dr Rowe’s treatment of Gbanya is highly suggestive of the aura of impudence and self-professed superiority colonial administrators exuded. By deciding to strip Yoko of her newly-acquired territories, Dr Rowe further demonstrates how these colonial administrators took Africans for granted. It will be recollected that Yoko painstakingly consults the governor before she embarks on her conquest of new territories. She does not go off limit but the governor strips her of the territories all the same. Considerably, the powerlessness and puppetry of African traditional rulers is brought to notice. 3. THEME OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION: In Senehun and Mendeland at large, women are not treated as equals of men. Women are considered fragile, vulnerable and incapable of managing crises. At the beginning of the play when Gbanya drags Yoko into the inner chamber, he claims that he needs Yoko more than her Sande girls. To him, women have no responsibility than to satisfy men’s sexual urge. Initially, Gbanya has promised Yoko she would be his successor. However, with troubles around, he feels reluctant to handover the throne to her because he believes women cannot handle a land at war. This is the same stance of Lamboi. The excuse he gives for wanting to kill Gbanya is because he does not want the latter to appoint Yoko as his successor. Obviously, if not for Yoko’s doggedness and insistence, a woman would not have become the chief of Mendeland; talk more of expanding the chiefdom. In Mendeland, women usually are not allowed into the Poro cult. Yoko is the only exception. In the village, there is a certain prejudice held against women. They are considered inferior and except for Yoko who forges ahead, women are not assigned ruling positions. 4. THEME OF EXCESSIVE DESIRE FOR POWER: Lamboi craves for the throne of the chief and would do anything to become the chief of Mendeland. He recruits Musa with the excuse that a woman should not rule them. In his desperation to become the chief, he kills a chief and inspires the death of another. Killing Gbanya is not the original plan but there is no way to become the king without taking away the incumbent chief and any opposition. 5.THEME OF HOMICIDE: Both Musa and Lamboi poison Chief Gbanya to death. They are also the killers of Jeneba. 6. THEME OF HUMAN SACRIFICE: Musa, the chief priest, indulges in human sacrifice. He often sacrifices children in order to gain prosperity, good health and longevity. Lamboi threatens him with this shameful secret of his and gets him into his plan to kill Gbanya. The cruel death and mutilation of Jeneba considerably spells out human sacrifice in the text. Also, humiliated and frustrated by her subjects, Yoko becomes overcome by depression, “a disease of the mind”. The message from Dr. Rowe adds salt further to her injury. She decides to commit suicide. She poisons herself amidst pleas from her trusted attendants. |
Being able to list and explain the themes of the play. | |
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| STEP 7: EVALUATION Mode: Entire Class 5 mins |
The teacher asks the students the following questions: 1. What is the setting of the play? 2. List the Act by Act Summary of the plot. 3. Summarize the play. |
The students expected answers 1. THE SETTING OF THE PLAY: The play is set in the 19th Century of Sierra Leone, specifically in Mende Chiefdom in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone. Major actions are set in the chief's palace (Barre) in Senehun and Moyamba. (Chief Gbanya resigned from Senehun while Queen Yoko reigned from Moyamba) Gbanya's bedroom, Ndapi/Jilo's hut ,and the Poro bush. Moyamba where Yoko reigned from is in the Southern Province and borders of Atlantic ocean in the west ,port Loko and Tonkolili District to the north. Other Major towns include Njala,Rotifunk and Shenge. Crops grown in the district include oil Palm, cereals (maize,rice, sorghum and millet) and starch food crops (yam, cassava and cocoa. In addition,cashew,black pepper,ginger, pineapple and sugarcane are popular farm products in the district. Theses represent the economic prosperity Queen Yoko anticipates for moving from Senehun to Moyamba in the play. 2. ACT BY ACT SUMMARY OF THE PLAY: Act 1, scene 1, page 1—8(a) Gbanya demands a romantic moment from Yoko(b) Governor Rowe's intend to visit Senehun (c) Gbanya is troubled about the fate of the chiefdom ACT 1, Scene 2, page 9-16(a) Lamboi blackmails Musa in order to graft him into his treachery to kill GbanyaAct 1, scene 3, page 17—29(a) Governor visits and humiliates Gbanya as foreshowed in scene one(b) The plot to kill Gbanya was actualized (c) Yoko join the Poro cult Act 2, scene 1, page 30-41(a) Adultery brews between Jilo and Lasana(b) Ndapi is portrayed as a wife beater (c) Yoko plans to expand and move the chiefdom from Senehun to Moyamba. Act two, scene 2, page 42-56(a) Yoko moves the chiefdom from Senehun to Moyamba(b) Ndapi caught Jilo and Lansana in adulterous act and Jilo losses three months pregnancy (c) Lamboi and Musa plot to kidnap and kill Jeneba Act two, scene 3(a) Yoko leaves for official duties to Taiama and Lamboi takes over of the chiefdom in Yoko's absence/Jilo reports Jeneba's disappearance(b) Lamboi instigate the people against Yoko (c) Yoko is accused of murder (d) Jeneba's dead body was found and the real killer was unveiled Act three, scene 1-3(a) Governor Rowe reduces Yoko territorial control(b) Ndapi and Jilo seek forgiveness from Yoko (c) Yoko commits suicide. 3. PLOT SUMMARY John K. Kargbo, "Let Me Die Alone", is a play written in three acts, seven scenes. The play sums up the prevalence of betrayal in a typical African traditional society. The play opens at Senehun in Gbanya's bedroom while Sande drumming is ongoing on the offstage. Gbanya, the ruler of the Mende Chiefdom, is seem in a dire need of romantic play with his wife, Yoko, thus hindering her from to join the company of other Sande women, a cult women dancer. Gbanya urges her to stay with him and attend to his emotional urge andjulst at the moment of succeeding in forcing Yoko to bed, they were instantly interrupted by a violent knocking offstage. It was a message from the Governor through the messenger who informs them that Governor Row, the British colonial representative will be visiting tomorrow. In the light of the news, Gbanya sensed something bad will happen to him as the Governor has never visited before. He acknowledged that it might have something to do with the boys he hired out to John Caulker to fight against his brother, George and this further confirms his fears and unseats his heart. However, Yoko being a smart woman sensed that her husband is disturbed and he confirms it as he confides in her the anxiety, he gets over the constant visit of his ancestors in his dream, imploring him to join them. He also said he dreamt about he been humiliated by the Governor in presence of his people. At first, Yoko tries to dissuade him from wallowing in negative thoughts. Later when she notices his unwieldiness to her advice, she reminds him of his promise to bequeath the throne to her at his demise. Gbanya objects vehemently to such arrangement by laying claims to the fact that Mende Land is in a state of chaos and disorder and It needs a man to right the wrongs. In scene Act 1, scene two, we encounter Musa and Lamboi. They both are presumably members of Gbanya's administration. Lamboi, who is obsessed about his ambition to become the chief, seeks the cooperation of Musa, the seer and the medicine man, in killing Gbanya. At first, Musa refuses to oblige to Lamboi's evil agenda. He later accepts to help when Lamboi threatens to reveal his secret of human sacrifices. Gbanya prepares to receive his enemy the governor with lots of gifts, although his wife, Yoko feels otherwise and advises that Gbanya to prepare for war as he receives the Governor. Also, Lamboi feels gifting so much gift to the governor is not needed, but Gbanya insists. The anticipated Colonial Governor, Dr Rowe, arrives and as expected, he outrightly humiliates Gbanya for supporting a white brother against the other. He sees it as a direct affront against his orders that there should be no more fighting. Gbanya continues to deny the accusation but the governor humiliates him by ordering his soldiers to flog him with a whip, fined to pay fifty pounds in the equivalence of cattle and rice. When the Governor and his team leave. Lamboi and Musa took the advantage of this incident to poison Gbanya in pretense that it is meant to relive his pain. While in his death throes, Gbanya is quick to recognize he has been poisoned. He curses his killers and instructs Yoko to take charge of the chiefdom before he dies. Lamboi tries to persuade Yoko out of the idea of becoming the new chief as he tries to proclaim himself as one. But suspicious Yoko, who is convinced that Gbanya has been killed by the duo, objects to the pronouncement. She assumes the mantle of leadership and decides to join the Poro cult which would consequently prevent her from bearing children. As Act two opens with Jilo preparing to cook for her husband Ndapi. Lasana, her lover appears to have an affair with her. Here, we witness the infidelity of Jilo to Ndapi as she is involved in extra marital affairs with Lansana right in her matrimonial home even at a very narrow escape of being caught by her husband and Iavalie who had entered but were engrossed in discussions that concerns the mysterious death of Chief Gbanya and the expansionist war Yoko was about to embark on. As Ndapi and Lavelie leave the stage to strategize on how to stop Yoko from embarking on war, Lansana and Jilo emerge from the hut and agrees to meet at a safer place. When Ndapi returns, he is portrayed as a woman-beater, one who maltreats his wife as he won't stop to inflict pain on Jilo even while they converse. After a while, a guard enters and urges him not to beat his wife that it could make him lose his self-esteem. Jilo reveals Yoko's plan to move the chiefdom from Senehun to Moyamba. In the following scene, we witness Yoko in her royal splendor in her palace in Moyamba, there is a rapid growth in Yoko's powers with her servitude to the Governor and the expansion of her chiefdom. We also witness a shift in her government's seat from Senehun to Moyamba. Yoko also expresses an uneasy feeling and fear of being killed by those who don't want her on the throne. She expresses the wishes of being a mother instead of a queen, she misses the joy of motherhood, she then requests the presence of Jeneba, Ndapi's daughter whom she adopted as her own daughter. While Yoko prepares for a meeting with the elders after a guard announces the arrival of a messenger from the Governor, Ndapi drags his wife Jilo to the barre before Chief Yoko and accused her of adultery with a member of Yoko's household, Lansana who is already on the run to Taiama. Immediately, Yoko deploys two warriors to fetch him as she was disappointed with Jilo and Lansana's abominate act. While this is on, Musa and Lamboi do not relent in their ploy to eliminate Yoko and take the kingdom for themselves. They marvel at how Yoko has successfully managed the affairs of the chiefdom and her dexterity in maintaining a good diplomatic relationship with the Governor. They decide to kill Jeneba and incite the people against her (Yoko). Yoko thereafter prepares to embark on a stately visit to the Governor's place. But before she leaves for herjourney, a report of Jeneba being kidnapped was brought to her and she ordered a search to unravel the disappearance of Jeneba before she returns. Meanwhile, the duo, Musa and Lamboi start their nefarious plan. They kill Jeneba and impress the people into believing that Yoko is the guilty evil doer by engaging in human sacrifices to get the favor of the Governor. They poisoned the mind of the people, the village's Sande women, Jilo and most especially, the father of the child, Ndapi. Upon yoko's arrival, she is called several unprintable names, such as "witch", "murderer" etc. Yoko is baffled by the people's sudden change in attitude towards her. She is more confused when Ndapi questions her legitimacy to the throne. She then realizes that she had been accused of burying Jeneba alive to sustain her in power and allow good favour from the Governor. Frantically, she plead innocent and denies having a hand in Jeneba's disappearance. Ndapi will not listen to any of these. Rather he attributes her heartlessness to her inability to procreate. Fortunately for the queen, the dead body of Jeneba is found mutilated; her heart and private part cut off. Upon this discovery, everyone realizes that Yoko has been wrongly accused. Ndapi, in particular, tries to make amends for the humiliation he has made her go through. Yoko announces that she will unravel the matter to its very root at the Poro Bush. After a thorough investigation, she discovers Lamboi and Musa are behind the death of Jeneba. Ndapi attempts to go after them but Yoko reminds him of the consequence of their actions: "Their noses will rot, cataracts will marry their eyeballs, leprosy will devour their fingers and elephantiasis will cling to their legs" which is the Gbeni's revenge. As all these is ongoing at the Poro Bush, the messenger of the governor arrives to bring message to Queen Yoko. The messenger who is a Poro man was initially stopped by the guards from entering the shrine but allows on confirming by the queen that he also belongs to the Poro society as well. In his message, he tells Yoko that the Governor has instructs her to relinquish all her conquered territories. This upset the queen and sees it as the last straw that broke the camel's back She sends Lavalie for some herbs that was delivered through a guard to the queen. Musu prepares the concoction. At the same moment, Yoko turns to the messenger and expressed her displeasure over boundary demarcation. She says she felt humiliated after her long years of services and loyalty to the Governor and this obvious reward is least expected. Yoko realizes she has been overwhelmed by depression, she turned deaf hear to Ndapi and Jilo's apologies and recalls her husband had one time warned her that; "behind every set of white teeth there lurks an evil plotting mind" she dismisses them and the messenger. She receives the concoction from Musu who perceived it was poisoned and wanted to drink it first but the queen disagreed and says; "LET ME DIE ALONE". She poisons herself amidst pleas from everyone and sends words to the entire chiefdom not to mourned as she did not bring a child to this world. She slums to the ground and dies. |
Asking the learners questions to assess the achievement of the set objectives. |
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| ASSIGNMENT | The teacher gives learners take home. List and explain the major events in the play. |
The learners copy the assignment | Better understanding of the Play. |
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| CONCLUSION 5 mins |
The teachers wrap up from the learners' contribution. The play opens at Senehun in Gbanya's bedroom while Sande drumming is ongoing on the offstage. Gbanya, the ruler of the Mende Chiefdom, is seem in a dire need of romantic play with his wife, Yoko, thus hindering her from to join the company of other Sande women, a cult women dancer. Gbanya urges her to stay with him and attend to his emotional urge and just at the moment of succeeding in forcing Yoko to bed, they were instantly interrupted by a violent knocking offstage. It was a message from the Governor through the messenger who informs them that Governor Row, the British colonial representative will be visiting tomorrow. In the light of the news, Gbanya sensed something bad will happen to him as the Governor has never visited before. He acknowledged that it might have something to do with the boys he hired out to John Caulker to fight against his brother, George and this further confirms his fears and unseats his heart. However, Yoko being a smart woman sensed that her husband is disturbed and he confirms it as he confides in her the anxiety, he gets over the constant visit of his ancestors in his dream, imploring him to join them. He also said he dreamt about he been humiliated by the Governor in presence of his people. At first, Yoko tries to dissuade him from wallowing in negative thoughts. Later when she notices his unwieldiness to her advice, she reminds him of his promise to bequeath the throne to her at his demise. Gbanya objects vehemently to such arrangement by laying claims to the fact that Mende Land is in a state of chaos and disorder and It needs a man to right the wrongs. Lamboi is seen taken up by the desires to take over the chiefdom from Gbanya and in order to alleviate his fear of it {the throne} been given to his sister, Yoko, he seeks the assistance of Musa, the seer and the medicine man, and when he refuses on the ground of his loyalty to the throne. He blackmailed him by threating to reveal his secret of involving in human sacrifices. Lamboi, however successfully connives with Musa, the seer and the medicine man, to kill Gbanya. They both strategize and resolved to lure Gbanya to the Poro bush after the governor's visit to drink from a medicine poisoned with the gall of alligator. The anticipated Colonial Governor, Dr Rowe, arrives and as expected, he outrightly humiliates Gbanya for supporting a white brother against the other. He sees it as a direct affront against his orders that there should be no more fighting. Gbanya continues to deny the accusation but the governor humiliates him by ordering his soldiers to flog him with a whip, fined him to pay fifty pounds in the equivalence of cattle and rice. Shortly after the Governor and his team leave, Lamboi and Musa took the advantage of this incident to poison Gbanya in pretense that it is meant to relive his pain. Gbanya who is quick to recognize he has been poisoned, while in deep pains, He curses his killers and instructs Yoko to take charge of the chiefdom before he dies. Lamboi tries to persuade Yoko out of the idea of becoming the new chief as he tries to proclaim himself as one. But suspicious Yoko, who is convinced that Gbanya has been killed by the duo, objects to the pronouncement. She assumes the mantle of leadership and decides to join the Poro cult which would consequently prevent her from bearing children. Jilo the wife of Ndapi and Biological mother of Jeneba preparing to cook and Lansana her lover shows up with the intentions to lure her to bed right in her matrimonial home. Jilo resists, but Lansana succeeded by dragging her into the hut. As that was on-going in the hut, Ndapi and Lavelie entered from the opposite direction, a narrow escape it was as they both were engrossed on the recent incident that befalls their formal chief and how much they think Yoko is obsessed with the ambition for more expansion. When they both existed the scene to strategize, Lansana and Jilo emerge from the hut and Lansana seems satisfy because he got what he wanted and is prepared to risk his life for another attempt. Shortly after Lansana exits, Ndapi returns and he began to query Jilo her whereabout which she blames on their sickly child. Of course, Ndapi won't believe her and began to inflict pain on her, while this was on-going, a guard enters and urges him not to beat his wife that it could make him lose his self-esteem. Ndapi and the guard further review Yoko's greed for war that they considered as vain and provocative. Jilo also reveals Yoko's plan and intention to move the chiefdom from Senehun to Moyamba. Yoko in her royal splendor in her palace in Moyamba, there is a rapid growth in Yoko's powers with her servitude to the Governor and the expansion of her chiefdom. The shift in her government's seat from Senehun to Moyamba was also actualized but Yoko expresses an uneasy feeling and fear of being killed by those who don't want her on the throne. She wishes and desires to be a mother instead of been a Queen, recall she joins the Poro cult in Act one, scene two which comes with the consequence of not ever to mothered a child of her own. She wishes to experience the joy of motherhood. Afterwards, she requests the presence of Jeneba, Ndapi's daughter whom she adopted as her own daughter and have some quality fondly time with her. After a while, Yoko prepares for a meeting with the elders after a guard announces the arrival of a messenger from the Governor, Ndapi drags his wife Jilo to the barre before Chief Yoko and accused her of adultery with a member of Yoko's household, Lansana who is already on the run to Taiama. Immediately, Yoko deploys two warriors to fetch him as she was disappointed with Jilo and Lansana's abominate act. While this is on, Musa and Lamboi do not relent in their ploy to eliminate Yoko and take the kingdom for themselves. They marvel at how Yoko has successfully managed the affairs of the chiefdom and her dexterity in maintaining a good diplomatic relationship with the Governor. They decide to kill Jeneba and incite the people against her (Yoko). Having receives the messenger in the previous scene from the governor, Yoko thereafter prepares to embark on a stately visit to Taiama. She has been sent to crown two chiefs and in her absent she ordered Lamboi to take charge of the kingdom till she returns. But before she leaves for herjourney, a report of Jeneba being kidnapped was brought to her by Jilo, Jeneba's mother and she ordered a search to unravel the disappearance of Jeneba before she returns. Meanwhile, the evil duo, Musa and Lamboi start their nefarious plan. They kill Jeneba and impress the people into believing that Yoko is the guilty evil doer by engaging in human sacrifices to get the favor of the Governor. They poisoned the mind of the people, the village's Sande women, Jilo and most especially, Ndapi, the father of the child. Upon Yoko's arrival, she is called several unprintable names, such as "witch", "murderer" etc. Yoko is baffled by the people's sudden change in attitude towards her. She is more confused when Ndapi questions her legitimacy to the throne. She then realizes that she had been accused of burying Jeneba alive to sustain her in power and allow good favour from the Governor. Frantically, she plead innocent and denies having a hand in Jeneba's disappearance. Ndapi will not listen to any of these. Rather he attributes her heartlessness to her inability to procreate. Fortunately, in the Queen's favor, the dead body of Jeneba is found mutilated; her heart and private part cut off. Upon this discovery, everyone realizes that Yoko has been wrongly accused. Ndapi, in particular, tries to make amends for the humiliation he has made her go through. Yoko announces that she will unravel the matter to its very root at the Poro Bush. After a thorough investigation, she discovers Lamboi and Musa are behind the death of Jeneba. Ndapi attempts to go after them but Yoko reminds him of the consequence of their actions: "Their noses will rot, cataracts will marry their eyeballs, leprosy will devour their fingers and elephantiasis will cling to their legs" which is the Gbeni's revenge. The messenger from the governor brings a message to Queen Yoko at the Poro bush, he was stopped from entering by the guards because only the initiates and members are admitted into the shrine. But the Queen clears the messenger as a member and he gains access to see her. The messenger told the Queen that her territorial control has been reduced and she get upsets and sees it as disgrace. The news of her territorial reduction was a last straw that broke the camel's back She sends Lavelie for some herbs that was delivered to her through a guard. Yoko then gives it to Musu to prepare the herbs into concoction. The Queen expressed her displeasure over her boundary demarcation and tells the messenger to tell the governor that the reward she gets from him after so long years of services and loyalty is least expected. Ndapi and his wife, Jilo seeks forgiveness from the queen claiming they were misled but the queen wouldn't hear any apologies. She recalls how her late husband, Gbanya has warned her that: "behind every set of white teeth there lurks an evil plotting mind". She dismisses the couple and the messenger. Yoko takes the concoction from Musu who had suspects it is a poison and wanted to drink it first before the Queen but Yoko disagrees and says: "Let me die Alone" because she savored the fruit of power alone. She drinks the poison and slums, while she is in pain from the poison, she sends words to the entire chiefdom not to mourned her demise because she did not bring a child to this world. She dies and dirge rises. |
The students listen to the teacher and copy down notes. | Consolidating and harmonizing scientific concepts. |