What caused the 88 years interregnum in the ancient city of Warri, present-day Delta State, in the 17th century when it had no king? Who were the major characters, how was the succession crisis resolved, and what’s the inheritance system in the city?
Answers to all these questions were answered in ‘OluAkengbuwa’, Alex Eyengho’s historical play staged on November 3 at the MUSON Centre, Onikan.
Starring some of Nigeria’s finest actors including Dede Mabiaku, who played OluAkengbuwa, Norbert Young, Soibifaa Dokubo, Haji Omonoba Bello, EfeMayford-Orhorha, Toju Ejoh and Tom Godwin, it was an instructive play that highlighted the dangers of being temperamental and falling to the wiles of crafty women.
Deploying proverbs in lively dialogues, music, dance and the tradition of the Itsekiri, the play aptly chronicles the events leading to the death of the eponymous Olu of Warri which heralded the interregnum.
Akengbuwa’s younger son, Prince Omateye is unhappy with his elder brother and heir, Agbagba.His plot to scheme Agbagba out of the throne leads to Agbagba’s death, his (Omateye’s) death and the death of the king in quick succession. This leaves the door open for the British who promptly intervene with Warri having no king for 88 years.
Speaking after the play, producer and director, Eyengho explained that it intends to promote unity in Nigeria by showing people the downside of power struggle.
According to Eyengho, though the play is about the Warri Kingdom, the storyline is a national and global issue.
“It is a story of a struggle for power, succession, desperation, and scheming. These are themes that have universal applications, and that can be dealt with. It’s not just about the Warri Kingdom, but we try to put this together through the theatre platform, interpreting these themes using our culture, our traditions, dance strong proverbs, our nuances to tell these stories. Otherwise, it is a universal story. It is not limited to Warri kingdom alone,” he said.
First staged in Warri five years ago, with Abuja on the schedule for December, Enyengho disclosed that he still intends to take the play around the country and abroad.
Also speaking, the Ologbosere of Warri Kingdom, AyiriEmami said that the drama not only dwells on the importance of cultural values, it also teaches patience.
“It is essential to hold on to your culture. Itsekiri, an ancient kingdom, has a lot of history that people were not aware of. The kingdom was in existence before Nigeria. And what we are trying to pull out is our heritage telling you where we are coming from and where we are supposed to be. There is so much to be learned from this drama. Like I earlier said, one has to be very patient. There is no need of trying to overthrow the king,” Emami said.
and then