THE CHARACTER AND ROLES OF MADAM YOKO IN THE PLAY
The play has its relation to the theme of tradition and unfair demands on womanhood and the battles of sexes which are realized through Yoko’s characterization. Yoko's character is revealed through the Conflict in the succession of rulership in Mende land. The Conflict in gender role and abuses of colonialism. The character of Madam Yoko is identified as the favourite wife of Gbanya, ruler of Mende Chiefdom. She is Queen of Mende Chiefdom after the death of Gbanya. She is Sister of Lamboi who, with Musa, is her antagonist. Madam Yoko is an ambitious and courageous woman who joins an all-male society. Madam Yoko’s character from what she says or thinks shows she is submissive to her husband, uses terms of endearment like ‘my lord’, and prefixes what she says with ‘please’. She being courageous and ambitious aks Gbanya to fulfill his promise to make her his successor even though she is a woman. She is kind-hearted “ by taking Jeneba as her own daughter. Mourns the death of Jeneba. Madam Yoko's character from what she does usurps the chiefdom after Gbanya’s death. She empathizes with Jeneba’s mother, Jilo, when she announces the disappearance of her daughter. She appoints Musa to head the search for the missing girl and punishes the real culprits. She punishes Lansana for his adulterous relationship with Jilo. She tries to appease the Colonial Governor when she extends her chiefdom beyond senehun. She commits suicide, even though proven innocent, to protect her dignity and self-worth. She undergoes the Poro ritual which qualifies her to succeed Gbanya but denies her the opportunity to give birth. She delivers fair verdict in the adultery case involving Lansana and Jilo.
Madam Yoko's character from what others say about her is that She is seen as a threat by Musa and Lamboi who want to succeed Gbanya and poison him. She is accused of murdering Jeneba and humiliated by Mende women who call her names. E.g., “murderer, witch, devil and wicked. She is humiliated by colonial power which reduces her chiefdom. She is maligned for her inability to give birth and humiliated by Ndapi, the Chief Guard who slaps her for alleged complicity in the murder of Jeneba. She is Remembered for her female leadership traits which blend grace, bravery, peace and authority in her role as custodian of Mende land. She Ends up a tragic heroine.
THE CHARACTER AND ROLES OF GBANYA IN THE PLAY
The play is about traditional African Society faced with an internal struggle for power and an external aggression by the colonial government. Gbanya exhibits traits of laudable achievements, pragmatism, good leadership and affection. Gbanya is chief of Mende and Yoko is his favourite wife. He treats Yoko as a mere sex object for a man’s pleasure, “Of what use is a woman to a man?” There are signs of achievements during his rulership, such as: His governance enables Mende land to boast of“... the richest wine and the biggest cattle”. His reign wins many ‘sensible’ wars which are described by Ndapi as “... honourable and brave ventures”. Yoko inherits his stable leadership for she confesses that Gbanya is “... the man who made Senehun into a great Chiefdom...”.
Gbanya has the most courageous warriors in Mende Kingdom. Gbanya espouses’ pragmatic ideals when he says “a chief must be ruthless”. He says a chief “must never be seen to be weak.:.” He confesses to Yoko. “... If Senehun is to survive, a man must lead... not a woman.” This is because patriarchy is practiced in Mende Kingdom. Gbanya has the courageous band of fighters/warriors. To a point, Yoko models Gbanya’s “virtues and qualities of undying love”
both her governance and life. Lavalie describes Gbanya as “... a finer man ... (and) a braver man...” Gbanya shows affection for his wives through his concern. For example, he dispatches Lavalie, one of his warriors, to “tell my (his) wives to put on their best clothes” to warmly receive . the visiting Governor Rowe. He loves and cares for Yoko because of her vision and contribution to the affairs of the kingdom. Gbanya weak side falls with his misjudgement in sending his warriors to fight on John Caulker's side as against the Governor's brother. Eventually, Governor Rowe humiliates him in the presence of his subjects. He loves Yoko too much. He allows himself to be killed in the interest of peace in the Kingdom.
