Why we staged Bode Sowande’s ‘Mammy Water’s Wedding’ on World Environment Day

Director and co-producer, Olanike Bennett Onimisi, has explained the significance of staging Bode Sowande’s “Mammy Water’s Wedding” during this year’s World Environment Day celebration.

“Mammy Water’s Wedding,” a stage play, was performed at Wole Soyinka Theatre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, from June 4 to 8, 2024. The production was presented by Cinema Road Media, endorsed by Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, Commissioner for Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and supported by The Waste Museum Africa, Walton Arts, DBN Multimedia, FanMilk Plc, and FoodComedyFest.

It was funded by individuals and lovers of theatre.

Onimisi, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan, told Nigerian Tribune that “The play addresses critical issues of environmental justice and sustainability – themes that resonate deeply, giving the recurring environmental challenges in our region such as flooding.

“The production concept is to repurpose at least 10,000 discarded plastic bottles for the set design and stage properties; thus demonstrating innovative approaches to waste reduction and creative recycling. This initiative is not only a celebration of the arts but also a powerful platform for raising environmental awareness.”

She explained that, “Yearly, catastrophic flooding and water rising above sea level occur in Lagos and many other cities including Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Anambra and others.

There is no better period to stage this play as the rainy season comes upon us; which is why we have chosen the occasion of the 2024 World Environment Day to join in the sensitisation of the general public about how the quality of life on earth is highly dependent on our actions as humans.”

Bode Sowande’s Mammy Water’s Wedding chronicles the ordeal of a young Lagosian (Akinla) who, despite being a good swimmer, drowns after saving people during a flood; but does not die as he is saved by the underwater beings called “mammy water”. Akinla is enchanted by the underwater princess (Tarella), who decides to helpA kinla back to his world above the sea; however, the impediment to their love is the “environment”. The gravity of how this pollution of land, water and air, upsets the balance of nature is rehashed by the Sea Queen who laments the degradation of the environment by unfriendly human activities; especially as seen in the activities of a rich businessman (Adagun-Odo). To become human, Tarella is born to Adagun-Odo who requests a name from Akinla on his mysterious return after four weeks of being presumed dead. Akinla names the child Okuntoro (meaning: the sea is pure), a child he falls in love with 24 years later to foster a metaphorical union between their two worlds.

Adagun-odo suffers the consequences of his actions by going blind after the incidence of dead fish washing ashore due to the toxic wastes endangering even the sea animals. His sight is only restored after he acknowledges his wrongdoings, repents and reckons with the importance of keeping the sea pure (as his daughter’s name implies).

“The play conveys a message against environmental injustice. It calls for all of us to be advocates of the ‘Green Balance’ that our world desperately needs,” Onimisi added.

Olabajo Dada, CEO/Founder of Cinema Road Media, had this to say: this production of “Mammy Water’s Wedding” is actually an SOS for humanity because protecting the environment is really about preserving the human race. If ecological disasters wipe us out, the Earth will adapt and live on without us. She has seen millions of species come and go, and she won’t miss us much if our destructiveness results in our downfall. What will really make a difference is what you and I do and encourage those around us to do every day in order to sequester waste from our environment – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

After the five-day performance was concluded, about 3,000 bottles were repurposed to make a gazebo at the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan. The rest were sent out for recycling.