آيباليي الجَرّةيالمكسويرةي للكاتبةالنيجريية

Ìbàlé is an invigorating play of 7 Acts and several scenes set in two traditional Yoruba fictional communities of Iluobe and Ilukoro. Full of twists and turns, and an intermingling of gods and human characters, Adeola an adolescent girl of good character who has been brought up immersed in the traditions of her people believes in her destiny of being a bride to a prince of the neighbouring community of Iluobe as pronounced by her family oracle, the Ifa oracle.

Meanwhile, she is admired by her childhood friend Adio who is highly in love with her, and wants to marry her. When Adeyemi the prince from Iluobe arrives Ilukoro to take his bride home, the unthinkable had befallen Adeola. Adeola has been raped by Adio.

The punishment for not being a virgin at marriage is to be either stoned to death for being promiscuous, or to be declared a "broken pot", and returned to her father who will in turn return the bride price.

Furthermore, one from the royal blood does not get married to a broken pot and anyone who goes against the tradition invites a curse upon the land. However, Adeyemi because he loves Adeola goes against tradition and tries to protect her.

As the play unfolds, human intrigues,old secrets, machievilian deals and political machinations come into play. Also exposed are grisly practices of the period such as human sacrifices, commodification of the female sex and annual exchange of ten virgins to the king of Iluobe in exchange for covering up the wicked rape committed by the king.

There is also a struggle for fame and power among the powers that be which ultimately lead to inter-communal wars. The play is fast paced, exposing harmful traditional practices against women and other cultural practices that are not palatable. Even though the play is a tragedy, it ends in hope as the newborn baby of Adeola illfully conceived through rape is restored to his rightful heritage as a seed of Adio who really was a dispossessed prince.

The king of Iluobe also repents and restores peace between the two warring communities. The songs and dances in the play not only provide commentaries on the actions taking place in the play, they also enliven the atmosphere of the play.

It is a play worthy of contemplation for not only its historical background, but also for its exposition of the human nature in its complexity, and for its highly entertainment elements.

Prof. Maria Ajima

Professor of Literature,

Benue State University.