LET ME DIE ALONE -By John Kolosa Kargbo
BACKGROUND OF AUTHOR
John Kolosa Kargbo was born in Sierra Leone in 1954 and died in 1992. He attended the Prince of Wales’ Secondary School in Freetown together with Clifford Gaber, john Kargbo founded Songhai Theatre, known as Shegureh players, and Balangi Dramatic group founded in 1974. They produced other plays and English plays called Choice of the Gods. Apart from Let Me Die Alone, which was impressive, Otegu was a successful comedy about love infidelity.
It is probably Let Me Die Alone that assured Kargbo’s reputation; a meticulously researched and well-constructed script. His early death was a tremendous blow to the development of dramatic literature in his country.
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| John Kargbo |
SETTING OF THE PLAY
The play is principally set at the chiefdom of Senehun in Sierra Leone before the actions move to Moyamba with casual references to some surrounding chiefdoms of Moyamba.
BACKGROUND OF THE PLAY
The time frame is late 19th century through to 20th century when modernization is forced upon the traditional Sierra Leoneans which brings about much conflict and devastation. The play offers a strong critique of the oppression of women under a patriarchal system. Many women have been dissatisfied with this system and have felt trapped by it. Men in power have seen no reason to change the standard. The play is therefore a critique of the imposition of colonial influence on traditional Sierra Leonean society.
PLOT OF THE PLAY
Let Me Die Alone is a play about a historical figure called Madam Yoko, who rules Kpa Mende in the late 19th century. The play opens with Gbanya, the paramount ruler of the land who has thirty-seven wives. One of his wives, probably the one that he loves so much more than the others, Yoko demands to be crowned as the ruler of the kingdom after Gbanya's death. She has expected this leadership position and prepared well for it with everything within her capacity. Of course, it is untraditional in Africa for a woman to become a ruler, except the one that can observe the stringent rituals that can permit her to lord it over the people. In fact, in Koa Mende, a woman who wants to become a ruler of the kingdom must join the Poro, a secret society of men with tribal leadership potentials. When a woman joins this society, it means that she is ready to sacrifice her reproductive organs and remain childless for life. When she does that, she will be equal with men and she then has the right to lead the people. Yoko has consented and sha now has the right to be crowned after the death of her husband.
Gbanya is troubled for series of things happening in his kingdom. He says, ‘And now everything seems to be happening with such rapidity. I lost my best fighters in the Ashanti and Caulker campaigns. Just as in the dream of last night, the Governor himself now comes to humiliate me in the eyes of my people.” (Act 1, Scene 1). It is during this turbulent moment that Yoko has come to persuade Gbanya to entrust the kingdom to her hand, “Then my lord, your love for me all these years has been prompted by this body. Remember you told me to bear no children as the Poro might need me. And now, on the verge of old age, you leave me to remain alone in distress. What is the value of old age without children? Now | know all my sacrifices in these past years have been in vain... Well, to whom will you leave the chiefdom?” (Act 1, Scene 1) Not many days after this, Gbanya dies and joins his ancestors. However, his death has been remotely caused by the activities of the colonial forces that have disrespected the tradition of the kingdom and even flogged the king in the presence of his people. This unthinkable disgrace weakens the king. He prefers to die but he needs to hand over the chiefdom before his death. In an attempt to prevent him from handing over the chiefdom to his wife (Yoko), Lamboi and Musa conspire and poison him but Yoko secures the power before Gbanya finally gives up the ghost.
On becoming the ruler, Yoko's leadership begins to be challenged by her brother, Lamboi and his accomplice, Musa who is the priest. Lamboi and Musa devise a plan to overthrow Yoko because they consider it abnormal for a woman to rule in a men-dominated society. Meanwhile, Madam Yoko's reign is pleasant and peaceful even more than that of her husband. She maintains a cordial relationship with the colonial Governor and carries out the dictates of the imperial representatives, she settles disputes among her people without bias and shows love and dedication to the people of the land. In the meantime, Madam Yoko moves her chiefdom from Senehun to Moyamba where she is now administering some other smaller chiefdoms on the order of the colonial Governor. Madam Yoko loves Jeneba, the daughter of Jilo and Ndapi, and she plays with her so much. One day, Lamboi and Musa plot to kidnap and kill Jeneba ang then make people believe that Madam Yoko has used her for a sacrificg to consolidate her position as Chief. Lamboi says, “Suppose we kidnap her, take her to the bush...... Then we tell the warriors and the people that Yoko has sacrificed her to consolidate her position as Chief. We Shall tell them that she buried the child alive. That will cause a lot of trouble. Then the people will force her to give up the chiefdom and go into exile. If she refuses, then measures will be taken to depose her. And if that fails, she will definitely be killed.” (Act 2, scene 3). The plan is achieved. Jeneba is kidnapped, killed and buried in the bush.
At the courtyard of Moyamba, elders-Ndapi, Lavalie, Ngo Musa and Lamboi are sitting when Madam Yoko enters and informs them that the colonial Governor has sent her to crown two chiefs in Taiama. Before her return, the news of Jeneba's mysterious disappearance is already everywhere and Lamboi and Ngo Musa have been able to convince the entire community that Madam Yoko has buried her alive in her quest to arrogate more power. The whole chiefdom is on fire as Ndapi, the father of Jeneba, is audaciously threatening to cause massive destruction if his daughter is not found. “Enough! Don't drag Poro into this, Ngo Musa. My daughter must be found and | don't care if I have to turn Moyamba over, tear it with my bare hands. I'll find her.” (Act 3, Scene 7) Madam Yoko is back and she is accused of killing Jeneba as everyone begins to call her different names. “Have you all in this chiefdom gone mad? Can't I pass through my own land without my people shouting murderer, devil and witch? Is that the way to greet your Queen? ... (Act 3, Scene 1). People begin to insult their Queen on the account of murder. She simply admits to die for an offence she does not commit. All of a sudden, a girl rushes in shouting, 'We have found her...behind the Sande Bush. We went to dig up some potatoes and we found the body...’ (Act 3, Scene 1). Madam Yoko is just looking at everyone who has insulted her over the matter and then, she says, “...That is the child I sacrificed alive to win the favours of the Governor. That is the child that has earned me the scorn of the entire chiefdom; the child that has caused me to be labelled witch, murderer, and devil. That is the child buried alive by me in a big pot. (Act 3, Scene 1) Ndapi, the women and everyone who have insulted Madam Yoko begin to beg for forgiveness but Madam Yoko promises to drag the matter to the Poro to know the killer of the girl. Poro reveals that Lamboi and Ngo Musa kill Jeneba.
In the climax of this occurrence, a messenger comes from the Governor that the six villages to the North of the Tabe River in the chiefdom of Madam Yoko has been ceded to the chiefdom of Bo with immediate effect. This reduces her territorial control. Then Madam Yoko reacts and sends the same messenger back to the Governor, “Tell the Governor that I understand the contents of his letter... Tell him that I thank him... Tell him that in all my years as ruler of this chiefdom, I have never been disgraced in this manner....” Act 3, Scene 4.
Due to the humiliation, she suffers from her people and the loss of her chiefdom, Madam Yoko reaches out for poisonous concoction prepared for her by her maid, Musu. As she is about to drink it, Fanneh, one of her maids, restrains her and says, “Madam, if you are to drink it, let me drink it first”. Madam Yoko answers Fanneh and says, “... No. You cannot. I don't want two graves to be prepared. I have savoured the fruits of power alone; I have known and enjoyed the grandeur of high office alone; if I am to die, then Jet me die alone...” (Act 3, Scene 4). she drinks it and dies. In death, she hopes to find peace and never to be used again, she connects with noble ancestors of the land to receive her; she sends word to the entire chiefdom not to be Mourn as she did not bring a child to this world.
ACT BY ACT SUMMARY
ACT ONE
The action of the play begins in Gbanya's bedroom. Singing ang drumming are going on offstage but Gbanya is busy with his wife, Yoko. Gbanya has been the ruler of Mende Chiefdom for some years, but now, things are no longer like before. However, Gbanya is in the room with Yoko ready for a romantic action with her but Yoko is refusing her husband's romance because she wants to go and witness the group of Mende girls dancing around the palace. Incidentally, Gbanya and Yoko are interrupted by the appearance of a guard who brings a message from the Governor's messenger that the Governor will visit the kingdom of Mende the following day. Chief Gbanya believes that the Governor's visit must be in connection with the boys he hires to John Caulker to fight against his brother, George. Therefore, Gbanya expresses his fear and anxiety about the visit of the Governor because he has had a dream where he sees the Governor humiliating him in the presence of his people. He confesses to Yoko that he may soon join his ancestors in death. Yoko therefore reminds Gbanya of his long time promise of handing over the kingdom to her after his death but circumstances have made Gbanya to change his mind as recounted in his speech to Yoko. ‘Yoko, of all my thirty-seven wives, you know I cherish you most. At the time of making that promise, I never knew that war would be ravaging this our land. Enemies, Yoko, too many enemies are bent on wiping out my people. Look, woman, if Senehun is to survive, a man must lead her...’ (Act 1, Scene 1).
In the meantime, Lamboi and Musa conspire to poison Chief Gbanya in Order to stop Yoko from convincing him to pass the chiefdom to her. Initially, Musa rejects the plan but later agrees with the pair of poisoning Gbanya so that Lamboi can take over as the ruler of Senehun kingdom. When the Governor arrives at the palace of the Chief, he flogs Gbanya mercilessly before the entire people of Senehun chiefdom. As their ruler is rolling in pains, Musa begins to treat his wounds and he eventually poisons the Chief. Gbanya actually realizes that Musa has poisoned him. He invokes curses on Lamboi and Musa for giving him alligator gall to drink. As he is about to die, Yoko appears and he hands over the throne to her. She is then forced to join Poro which will make her never to bear children throughout her life time. Yoko joins Poro and remains the ruler of the kingdom.
ACT TWO
jilo, the wife of Ndapi is having an immoral affair with Lansana. Lansana is seen flattering Jilo with indecent words to the extent that he grabs her with his hands and pushes her into the hut and has canal knowledge of her. Jilo's husband nearly catches them. In another development, Ndapi and his warrior friend, Lavalie are discussing the unnecessary wars that Madam Yoko wants them to start fighting. Ndapi therefore advises Lavalie to advise Madam Yoko on the use of power and forget the attempt of fighting an unnecessary battle. Ndapi is in the habit of beating his wife, Jilo at slightest provocation. When he returns home and Jilo has not cooked any food, he bounces on her and beats her anyhow. It takes the efforts of a guard to rescue Jilo from him.
After some time, Madam Yoko moves her Chiefdom from Senehun to Moyamba. As her maids attend to her, she enquires from them about their experiences and feelings at Moyamba. Musu and Fanneh confirm that they like Moyamba even more than Senehun. Madam Yoko loves Jeneba, Ndapi and Jilo's only daughter and describes her as a darling little angel and little queen.
In the same scene, Ndapi drags his wife to Madam Yoko in the presence of all elders of the land at the palace. Ndapi has caught Jilo and Lansana in the bush having a sexual affair’, Yoko orders Jilo to be kept in stocks and two warriors to go and look fo, Lansana who has run away to Taiama. Just then, the two warriors, enter with Lansana, and Yoko orders his detention without food till she returns from her trip. Lamboi and Musa still continue in their bid to overthrow Madam Yoko. They plan to kidnap Jeneba, kill her and then inform the people that Madam Yoko has used her for sacrifice to renew her power and be getting more favour from the Governor. They believe that the incident will cause trouble in the land and Madam Yoko will be forced to abdicate or relinquish her post in the Chiefdom and Lamboi will take over as the ruler of the Chiefdom.
The governor sends a messenger to Madam Yoko, extolling her virtues as a friendly and submissive ruler. Light fades and shines at Ndapi's house. As Jilo and Fanneh are discussing, Jeneba is left alone when Lamboi enters from the other end. He rubs some charms on the face of the little girl and carries her away. Madam Yoko is going to Taiama to crown two chiefs on the order of the Governor. She informs her people that the issue of paying tax to the Governor for their huts will be discussed when she returns. This is the time Jilo comes to inform the Queen about her missing child. Madam Yoko sends out guards to ensure that the girl is found. She appoints Lamboi to be in charge of the chiefdom, with Musa as second in command, in her absence. She then leaves for her assignment.
ACT THREE
This affords Lamboi to have a taste of power and enjoys the throne for a while. He vows to do anything possible to get the throne for himself, even if it means shedding the blood of an innocent. Lamboi and Musa spread the news that Madam Yoko has used Jeneba for a sacrifice. They claim that the Queen buries the girl alive in a big pot. The women are the first to believe the information and they begin to circulate it all around. On the arrival of the Queen, Ndapi bounces on her, abusing and accusing her of killing his daughter. Musa joins Ndapi in humiliating and insulting Madam Yoko. To declare her innocence, Madam Yoko volunteers to swear by the Poro, the powerful god of the land. Ndapi tells Madam Yoko that she kills his daughter because she does not know the pain of child birth. Ndapi threatens to kill Madam Yoko with his bare hands. As the tension of the missing girl is heightened, a young girl runs to the palace to announce that they have seen Jeneba's dead body where it is buried. 'We have found her...behind the Sande Bush. We went to dig up some potatoes and we found the body...’ (Act 3, Scene 1). Madam Yoko is just looking at everyone who has insulted her over the matter and then, she says, “... That is the child I sacrificed alive to win the favours of the Governor. That is the child that has earned me the scorn of the entire chiefdom; the child that has caused me to be labeled witch, murderer, and devil. That is the child buried alive by me in a big pot. (Act 3, Scene 1). Ndapi, the women and everyone who have insulted Madam Yoko begin to beg for forgiveness but Madam Yoko promises to drag the matter to the Poro to know the killer of the girl. Poro reveals that Lamboi and Ngo Musa kill Jeneba.
In the climax of this occurrence, a messenger comes from the Governor that a portion of the chiefdom of Madam Yoko has been ceded to the chiefdom of Bo with immediate effect. Then Madam Yoko reacts and sends the same messenger back to the Governor, “Tell the Governor that I understand the contents of his letter... Tell him that I thank him... Tell him that in all my years as ruler of this chiefdom, I have never been disgraced in this manner....“Due to the humiliation she suffers from her people and the loss of her chiefdom, Madam Yoko reaches out for poisonous concoction prepared for her by her maid, Musu. As she is about to drink it, Fanneh restrains her and says, “Madam, if you are to drink it, let me drink it first” Madam Yoko answers her and says, “....If I am to die, then /et me die alone.. --”(Act 3, Scene 4). She drinks it and dies, with the hope of finding eternal; peace.
THEMES OF THE PLAY
Disregard of traditional institution: This is one of the cardinal themes of the play. The imperial system of government that is put in place by the British in Mende Chiefdom under the leadership of Dr, Samuel Rowe does not respect any form of traditional institution as well as norms and culture of the people. This is shown in the way Dr, Rowe treats King Gbanya when he asks him to lie down on the floor and his armed soldiers flog him mercilessly right in the presence of his people. This is an abuse of the culture and traditional institution of the people.
Colonial superiority: The European colonial masters believe that they are powerful and superior to any other person or authorities. They come into a community and begin to exercise control using different means and methods, ranging from deceit to force and to domination. In this way, they plant fear in the heart of the people and compel them to dance to their own tune. This is the plight of the Mende people of Sierra Leone who reluctantly agree to worship the colonial masters like semi-gods. The imperial Governors in their colonial mentality and superiority impose heavy taxes on the people of the land and divide their kingdoms at will without any recourse to ancient boundary marks and rightful ownership of the land. This ts an act of injustice that makes Madam Yoko to kill herself, after she realizes that she has been used and dumped by the British.
Gender discrimination: In African traditions, women are grossly discriminated against. They are not made to be equal with their male counterparts. This becomes evident when Yoko reminds her husband of his promise to handover the chiefdom to her in the event of his death. Despite the fact that Yoko has done everything required to be eligible for the position, Gbanya still tries to change his mind just because Yoko is a woman. This is the situation that gives Lamboi and Ngo Musa the undue opportunity to poison Gbanya and kill him as an attempt to prevent him from handing the throne over to a woman.
Excessive ambition for power: Power does not come on the platter of gold. It has to be fought for. In her excessive ambition for power, Yoko sacrifices her womanhood i.e. the ability to give birth. She then joins the Poro cult in order to gain the control of power after the death of her husband. She agrees to remain childless throughout her life. Likewise, Lamboi connives with Musa to kill Chief Gbanya in order to ascend the throne. This excessive ambition for power also leads the same Lamboi and Musa to an evil plan of kidnapping and killing Jeneba and using her death to blackmail Madam Yoko, the Queen of the land. Bargain for power and dominance: This theme manifests in different forms in the play. Madam Yoko bargains for power by sacrificing her ability to give birth and she joins the Poro cult. Ultimately, she gets the power but not without its attendant Challenges and frustrations. In fact, she later takes her own life as an aftermath of possession of power.
CHARACTERIZATION
GBANYA: Gbanya is the prominent ruler of Mende Chiefdom and husband of Yoko who rules the Chiefdom after him. In the play, Gbanya is the ancient traditional figure and ruler of Mende Chiefdom. He has thirty-seven wives but he loves Yoko more than any of the wives. He always uses his throne of power to make promises to his wives in order to be granted his sexual satisfaction. As a king of the land, Gbanya fights many wars to the extent that he joins forces against the colonial Governors. This eventually makes the Governor to flog him mercilessly in the presence of his people. In this circumstance, Musa and Lamboi poison him with an alligator gall but before he dies, he hands over the throne to Yoko, his beloved wife.
MADAM YOKO: Yoko is one of the wives of Gbanya. She becomes the ruler of Senehun and the entire Mende Chiefdom after the death of her husband. Her character is used in the play to show how important the roles of women can be in national affairs. She persuades Gbanya to fulfill his promise of handing over the throne to her before he dies. Yoko is a desperate woman who sacrifices childbearing for power. Yoko is forced to forget the pleasure of womanhood to prove to her people that she can act like a man. She finally becomes the ruler of the chiefdom after the death of her husband. During her reign, Lamboi and Musa plan to overthrow her with the belief that a woman cannot rule a chiefdom successfully. Yoko takes her own life to save her face from the shame of being continuously manipulated by the British government that has broken her kingdom and reduced her power and fame.
LAMBO: Lamboi is Madam Yoko's brother but not loyal to her. He is an evil plotter who connives with Musa to devise Madam Yoko's downfall. His uncontrollable greed for the throne pushes him into evil scheming. He has a very terrible idea about women being in position of leadership. He describes his sister as an ambitious and power-drunk woman. He is a villain (evil doer) in the play.
MUSA: This is the seer and medicine man of the community. He is a close friend to Lamboi and both of them represent evil machination in the play. In fact, they can be called conspirators against the wellbeing of the palace. Musa is diabolic and has a hand in almost all the evil occurrences in the Mende land. Musa and Lamboi conspire and kill Gbanya to take over the throne but they cannot finally achieve their aim after killing the king. He is also a villain (evil doer) in the play.
NDAPI: This is the chief warrior of the chiefdom. He is one of the respected elders of Mende land. He is the husband of Jilo and father of Jeneba. He regularly beats his wife for no just cause. Consequently, his wife describes him as having pepper sprinkled all over his temper. He eventually catches his wife having a secret affair with Lansana in the bush.
JILO: Jilo is Ndapi's wife. She is the mother of Jeneba. Jilo keeps extramarital relationship whether because of the way her husband normally maltreats her. She dislikes her husband because of his hot temper and the way he always beats her at the slightest provocation. She becomes publicly ashamed when she is caught with Lansana having a romantic affair in the bush.
LANSANA: Lansana is a member of Madam Yoko's honourable and respected household. He has three wives at home but still falls in love with another man's wife and for some time, they have been having a secret affair until the day they are caught in the bush. To avoid disgrace and punishment, Lansana escapes to Taiama. Madam Yoko later catches and punishes him.
JENEBA: Jeneba is the only daughter of Ndapi and Jilo. A little beautiful girl who is loved by almost everybody in the Chiefdom. Madam Yoko likes Jeneba so much and she gives her special name little ange! or little queen. Jeneba is kidnapped and killed by Lambo, and Musa to implicate Madam Yoko and make people believe that she cherishes the girl because she wants to use her for a sacrifice, Eventually, their plot is blown open but Jeneba is already dead.
DR. SAMUEL ROWE: This is the Governor who is the sole representative of the Queen of England. Dr. Rowe carries out imperia| duty without any fear or respect for African tradition or the royal class, He dishonours the throne of Senehun by flogging Chief Gbanya right in the presence of his people. He also imposes heavy taxes on the local people, including taxes on huts where peasant people live. In fact, his actions contribute to the decision of Madam Yoko to commit suicide after she has been used and dumped by the tyrant Governor.
FANNEH AND MUSU: They are Madam Yoko's maids. Madam Yoko loves them so much and does not regard them as mere maids. In fact, she shares some secrets of her heart with them, especially Fanneh, who has served in that household long before Madam Yoko becomes the Queen.
QUESTION
Do you think the death of Madam Yoko was justifiable? You think suicide was the only option for her?
Please send in your opinion through the comment section.
