EP 1: University of Ibadan, 1966
The scene is set in the University of Ibadan, the oldest and most prestigious university in Nigeria. It is a sunny day and the campus is bustling with students and staff. We see a young man walking towards the library. He is wearing a white shirt, black trousers, and a pair of glasses. He has a backpack slung over his shoulder and a book in his hand. He is Chinedu, a 21-year-old student of history and literature. He is from the Igbo ethnic group, one of the largest and most influential in Nigeria.
As he walks, he passes by several groups of students who are chatting, laughing, or studying. Some of them greet him with friendly smiles or nods, while others ignore him or give him cold looks. We hear snippets of their conversations, which reveal the tense and polarized atmosphere in the country.
Student 1: Did you hear about the coup d'état in January? They killed Prime Minister Balewa and several other northern leaders. It was a bloody massacre.
Student 2: Yes, I heard. It was a tragedy. But what do you expect from those power-hungry Igbo officers? They want to dominate everything and everyone in Nigeria.
Student 3: That's not fair. The coup was not an Igbo plot. It was a patriotic act to end the corruption and nepotism of the ruling party. The Igbo officers were just trying to save the country from collapse.
Student 4: Save the country? Ha! More like destroy it. They have no respect for the constitution or the federation. They want to break away and form their own republic of Biafra. They are traitors and secessionists.
Chinedu hears these words and feels a pang of anger and sadness in his chest. He knows that the coup d'état was a complex and controversial event that had both positive and negative consequences for Nigeria. He also knows that the Igbo people are not a monolithic group that share the same political views or aspirations. He himself does not support secession, but he understands why some of his fellow Igbo feel marginalized and oppressed by the federal government, which is dominated by the Hausa ethnic group, the largest and most powerful in Nigeria.
He tries to ignore the hateful comments and continues walking towards the library. He hopes to find some peace and quiet there, where he can immerse himself in his books and forget about the troubles of the world.
He reaches the entrance of the library and pushes open the door. He walks inside and heads towards his favorite spot, a secluded corner near a window that overlooks a garden. He puts his backpack on a chair and places his book on a table. He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes.
He looks around and sees that the library is almost empty, except for a few students who are reading or writing in silence. He feels a sense of relief and calmness wash over him.
He puts on his glasses again and opens his book. It is a collection of poems by Wole Soyinka, one of Nigeria's most famous and respected writers. Chinedu admires Soyinka's work, which combines elements of African culture, history, politics, and philosophy with modern forms and techniques.
He flips through the pages and stops at a poem that catches his eye. It is titled "Telephone Conversation". It is a humorous but biting satire on racial discrimination in Britain, where Soyinka studied and lived for many years.
Chinedu reads the poem aloud in a low voice:
"The price seemed reasonable, location
Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived
Off premises. Nothing remained
But self-confession. "Madam," I warned,
"I hate a wasted journey - I am African."
Silence. Silenced transmission of
Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came,
Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled
Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was foully.
"HOW DARK?"...I had not misheard... "ARE YOU LIGHT
OR VERY DARK?" Button B Button A Stench
Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak.
Red booth Red pillar-box Red double-tiered
Omnibus squelching tar It was real! Shamed
By ill-mannered silence surrender
Pushed dumbfounded to beg simplification.
Considerate she was varying degrees
Of obscenity "I SEE" pondered Voice
"AND WHAT'S THE COLOUR OF YOUR EYES?"
Light blue And green And grey And brown And black
"WHAT'S THE COLOUR OF YOUR HAIR?" Madam I am bald
Silence for spectroscopic Flight of fancy
Till truthfulness changed her accent Hard on the mouthpiece
"ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT?" Revelation came
"You mean - like plain or milk chocolate?"
Her assent was clinical crushing in its light
Impersonality. Rapidly wave-length adjusted
I chose. "West African sepia" - and as afterthought
"Down in my passport." Silence for interrogation.
Impatiently, hurrying, terror in her voice
"HOW TALL ARE YOU?" Aren't you rather short?
I am six foot four Confounded, she was sorry
The telephone booth too confined for her fall
Of English R.P. As when an unexpected train
Inspectingly slows down, voice, in haste, not quite
Withdrawing, backtracks rapidly, quietly,
"Wouldn't you rather have a fine high ceiling?"
Chinedu chuckles at the end of the poem. He finds it witty and clever, as well as relevant and poignant. He can relate to Soyinka's experience of being judged and stereotyped by the color of his skin, even though he has never been to Britain or any other foreign country. He knows that racism and prejudice are not limited to one place or time, but are universal and timeless problems that affect people of all backgrounds and cultures.
He closes the book and puts it back on the table. He looks out of the window and sees a bird flying in the sky. He wonders what it would be like to be free like that bird, to soar above the clouds and see the world from a different perspective.
He sighs and shakes his head. He knows that he is not free, that he is bound by his identity and his history, that he is a product of his environment and his circumstances.
He hears a sound behind him. He turns around and sees a young woman standing near him. She is wearing a yellow dress, a blue scarf, and a pair of earrings. She has a basket in her hand and a smile on her face. She is Aisha, a 20-year-old student of sociology and economics. She is from the Hausa ethnic group, one of the largest and most influential in Nigeria.
She sees Chinedu and recognizes him. She walks towards him and greets him with a friendly tone.
Aisha: Hello, Chinedu. Fancy meeting you here.
Chinedu: Hello, Aisha. Yes, it is a coincidence.
Aisha: How are you? How are your studies?
Chinedu: I'm fine, thank you. My studies are going well.
Aisha: That's good to hear. What are you reading?
Chinedu: Oh, this? It's a book of poems by Wole Soyinka. Do you know him?
Aisha: Of course I do. He's one of my favorite writers. He's brilliant and brave.
Chinedu: I agree. He's very talented and inspiring.
Aisha: Can I see the book?
Chinedu: Sure, here you go.
Chinedu hands her the book. She takes it and opens it. She flips through the pages and stops at a poem that catches her eye. It is titled "The Lion and the Jewel". It is a play that tells the story of a conflict between tradition and modernity in an African village.
Aisha reads the poem aloud in a low voice:
The Lion:
I have paid your bride-price Sidi
I have brought you wine
And kola nuts
The Jewel:
You have paid my bride-price Baroka
You have brought me wine
And kola nuts
The Lion:
Then come to my arms Sidi
Come to my bed tonight
The Jewel:
But how can I come Baroka
How can I share your bed tonight
The Lion:
Why do you ask Sidi
Why do you hesitate tonight
The Jewel:
Because you are old Baroka
Because you are past your prime tonight
Aisha laughs at the end of the poem. She finds it funny and charming, as well as insightful and provocative. She can relate to Sidi's dilemma of choosing between an old but powerful man and a young but poor man, even though she has never been in such a situation herself. She knows that love and marriage are not simple or easy matters, but are complex and challenging ones that involve many factors and consequences.
She closes the book and gives it back to Chinedu.
She looks into his eyes and feels a spark of attraction and curiosity. She likes his gentle and intelligent demeanor, as well as his handsome and refined appearance. She wonders what he thinks of her, if he feels the same way or not.
She decides to take a chance and flirt with him. She smiles and says:
Aisha: You have a good taste in literature, Chinedu. I'm impressed.
Chinedu: Thank you, Aisha. You're very kind.
Aisha: No, I'm serious. You're very smart and cultured. You're different from most of the boys here.
Chinedu: Different? How so?
Aisha : Well, for one thing, you're not arrogant or rude. You're polite and respectful. For another thing, you're not shallow or boring. You're deep and interesting. And for a third thing, you're not afraid or ignorant. You're brave and knowledgeable.
Chinedu blushes and feels a surge of admiration and affection for her. He likes her bold and confident attitude, as well as her beautiful and radiant appearance. He wonders if she is sincere or joking, if she is flirting or teasing.
He decides to play along and compliment her. He smiles and says:
Chinedu: You're very generous with your words, Aisha. I'm flattered.
Aisha: Hmm... Chinedu!
Chinedu: No, I'm honest. You're very special and unique. You're different from most of the girls here.
Aisha: Different? How so?
Chinedu: Well, for one thing, you're not timid or shy. You're outgoing and friendly. For another thing, you're not dull or plain. You're lively and colorful. And for a third thing, you're not narrow or biased.
You're open and tolerant.
They look at each other and feel a connection and a chemistry. They like each other's personality and style, as well as each other's voice and smile. They wonder if they have a chance or not, if they should pursue or drop it.
They decide to take a risk and ask each other out. They smile and say:
Aisha: So, Chinedu, do you have any plans for tonight?
Chinedu: No, not really. Why do you ask?
Aisha: Well, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me.
Chinedu: Go out with you? Where?
Aisha: Anywhere you like. Maybe we can go to the cinema or the theatre or the park.
Chinedu: That sounds nice. But are you sure? I mean, we barely know each other.
Aisha: That's why we should go out. To get to know each other better.
Chinedu: But what about the war? Isn't it dangerous?
Aisha: The war is far away from here. We're safe in Ibadan.
Chinedu: But what about our families? Won't they object?
Aisha: Our families don't have to know. We can keep it a secret.
Chinedu: But what about our people? Won't they judge?
Aisha: Our people don't have to care. We can make our own choices.
They look at each other and feel a challenge and an opportunity. They want to be together and have fun, as well as learn from each other and grow. They wonder if they are right or wrong, if they are wise or foolish.
They decide to follow their hearts and say yes to each other. They smile and say:
Aisha: So, Chinedu, will you go out with me?
Chinedu: Yes, Aisha, I will go out with you.
They hold hands and walk out of the library together.
TBC
Took my time reading!!!
ReplyDeleteWorthy 💯💯💯