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Armed robberies and public executions are one of the main themes in the history of Nigeria around the 1970's. Armed robbers became so bold that they perpetrated their evil deeds anywhere they liked. To counter their actions, the government dealth with them by exciting them publicly. Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan (June 16, 1946) is a famous Nigerian writer, popularly known for his critics against government and societal problems. In relation to the theme of armed robbery and public executions that was prevalent around the 1970's in Nigeria, Femi Osofisan wrote a book between 1976 and 1978. The play was premiered at the University of Ibadan in 1979.
Once upon four robbers is one of Femi Osofisan's masterpiece, which he refers to as a "magic boom". It is obvious that the playwright put in much effort to make sure the play clearly depicts the ills of the society. Femi Osofisan is a guru in the literay world. In my opinion, Once upon four robbers is one of the best books the famous playwright has ever written.
Femi Osofisan in his book, once upon four robbers made use of the Yoruba story telling tradition. The author also made use of songs ( written in his language and translated to English so non-yorubas would understand). Femi Osofisan gives the audience a very big role to play (which I'll discuss in the later part of this article).
Plot summary
The importance of plot in a literary work cannot be overemphasized, especially in drama. Playwrights always make sure they pay attention to the plot as it is an important part of drama. Femi Osofisan in his work, Once Upon Four Robbers did a very good job on the plot as well as the development of characters.
The play opens with a storysteller, acting as the narrator. As the play proceeds, characters take back the role of the narrator from the storyteller. He tells a tale of four robbers whose leaders have been extecuted publicly by the military men.
As early as 5 am, the military men executed the leader of an armed robbery gang publicly (in a bar beach). The four robbers; Angola, Hassan, Major and Alhaja talks about their life without their leader. Alhaja, the leaders wife is seen crying and singing an elegy to her dead husband who had just been executed. While Angola and Hassan talk about how they'd avenge the death of their leader, Major on the other hand wants a different life. A life that doesn't want have anything to do with armed robbery. "The party is over and it is going to be every man for himself now" he says. However, Hassan and Angola gets angry with him for giving up on their leader.
Afa, a character who the audience assumes to be a religious man comes on stage. He promises the robbers to give the robbers a magic formula which they can only use thrice. He also gave them.three conditions: To rob with the magic formula only in public places, not to rob from the poor and not to kill.
To complicate things, the Aafa whom the audience had assumed to be a reigious Imam, brings out a divine instrument which he used to teach the robbers how to use the magic formula.
The robbers decided to use the magic formula in the market place where the market women sold their goods. They bring out the magic formula which Aafa had given them and strat singing. The market women dances off leaving their goods and their money which the robbers packed. The market was locked for 7 days. This also created a dilema for the robbers as they were not able to sell off the stolen goods.
The robbers decided to use the magic formula again, but this time the market women had seek the protection of military men. The robbers came again with the magic formula, singing just like they did the first time. Again, the market women and military men dances off. Major double crossed the gang and tries to take the money all to himself, their spoils the magic formula. The military men that had danced away came back. In an attempt to arrest the robbers, they shot major while the others escaped.
The military men who were supposed to protect the market women and return the stolen goods, became greedy. Instead of returning the money and goods they retrieved, they shared it among themselves.
Alhaja tries to release major by enticing the soldiers with corn. She also promised them sexual l favors, but all her efforts were unsuccessful. While the soldiers were about to execute Major, the robbers used the last of the magic formula to create a stalemate. Everyone on the stage freezes while the robbers sang. At the point, audiences were given a role and asked a big question. "What will be the outcome of the play"? Will the soldiers execute Major and capture the remaining soldiers? Or will the robbers successfully free Major and escape? If the robbers win, lawlessness and anarchy reign and if the soldiers win, there will be an undying darkness and evil military rule.
My Critics
The fact that Femi Osofisan gave the audience a voice is a very good part I like. The audience gets to give an end to the story. What will be your own outcome? The robbers stole because they were hungry and the situation of the country was very bad. Do you think that is a reason for them to live? The playwright also made use of songs which he translated to English. In your opinion who do you think should be victorious? The robbers? Or the soldiers?
The use of songs played an important role as it made the book interesting and helped to move the plot forward.
In my opinion, this books gets a 5 out of 6 stars.
Thanks for reading.