AFRICAN DRAMA
FEMI OSOFISAN: Women of Owu
Examine the role of chorus in advancing the plot.
Explanation
The chorus in traditional Greek theatre is a group of actors on stage who comment on the action in the play. In this play, the chorus is made up of the group of OWu women who survived the destruction of the city and are partakers of the suffering in its aftermath. They perform several roles in the play. Not only do they provide information on the current events in the play, they also provide information on past events; they warn the people about the consequences of certain actions; admonish, mediate and encourage the other women to face various challenges they are passing through. Of course, they also play the role of custodian of the people's tradition and culture.
First, they plead with Anlugbua, their ancestral father, to intervene on behalf of Owu. When Anlugbua refuses, the chorus leader admonishes the women to cast off their despair, and summon courage to face the challenges at hand because "it's us, not the gods who create the war. It's us human beings who can kill it". The chorus also warn Erelu to prepare to for the worst.
They empathize with Erelu on the calamities that have befallen her, especially that concerning Orisaye who seems to be losing her senses. They ask Erelu to take good care so as not to hurt herself, even as they mourn with her as Adumaadan hands over her only son, Aderogun, to Gesinde to be killed. They call Erelu's attention to his corpse when it is brought to be buried. They dance round the boy's body and apologize "for bringing you to the world and having to send you away so early and so harshly."
This tragedy notwithstanding, the chorus warn Erelu and caution her against speaking evil of the gods.
The chorus also take on vicariously, the suffering of Owu. While the disaster continues, they encourage people to have hope and curse the Allied Forces. As one puts it, "May you all without exception suffer the indignity of unremembered graves."
As custodian of and participants in the culture and tradition of Owu kingdom, the chorus remind Erelu of the rites of passage that fate has thrust on her to perform since all the priests and princes have been killed and such spirits need someone to release them to meet their ancestors.
The chorus also invoke Anlugbua's spirit and plead on behalf of those who died and must go home and for those who live they ask for forgiveness. Through them, Anlugbua promises that Owu will rise again, not as a single city but in little communities within other cities of Yorubaland.