‘The Legend of Inikpi’ not regular blockbuster

A lot of compelling artistic arguments have been made on establishing that the history of Africa did not start with the coming of the Whites, ranging from folklores, poetry to painting and drama.

This could be said to be the path that ‘The Legend of Inikpi’ treaded. The film explored the socio-cultural as well as the political customs of Igala and Bini kingdoms.

On the one hand, there were displays of traditional dances, poetries and practices which one would easily take to typify the cultural aesthetics African tribes are proclaimed to possess. On the other hand, some customs that culture critics have often used as a rod to chastise Black nations were exhibited. One of such was the killing of a human being in order to appease the gods.

The sacrifice of Princess Inikpi easily brings to mind ‘Elesin’ in Wole Soyinka’s “Death and the King’s Horseman” as the princess’ maids were made to accompany her to the world beyond.

The cultural leaning notwithstanding, the film may not necessarily fulfil the expectations of many who would have anticipated an action-packed, suspense-filled screening given the cast line-up included stars such as Odunlade Adekola, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, Chinedu Ikedieze and Saidi Balogun.

The ending of the movie seemed anti-climactic and would make many viewers and critics wonder if that was truly the end or there was some postscript somewhere.