Varsity Dons Seek Reinvention Of African Cultures In Stage Plays

Eminent scholars drawn from the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State; University of Calabar (UNICAL), Cross River State and doctoral students, who converged for the experimental film expose, have lamented the suppression of African cultures while embracing the Western arts  and civilisation in the course of daily living.

The conferees who gathered during the theatrical production directed by a doctorate student of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at UNIUYO, for a critical assessment of a theatre production titled; ‘ISADOK”, stressed the need for a quick reorientation to the black African culture, traditions and civilisations.

Prof. Imo Emenyi, of the Department of English, UNIUYO, who served as the external examiner, during the production of Prof. Uwemedimo Atakpo’s play “ISADOK”, as part of the requirements for the award of a doctorate degree in Theatre and Film Studies to Mr Asukwo Etuk, gave the play a pass mark, though spotted some grey areas to be corrected in subsequent production.

The play; “ISADOK”, written by Prof. Atakpo, and directed by Mr. Etuk, harps on the harmonisation of the western and traditional cultural values, and the supremacy of God over overwhelming traditional forces in the society.

The External Examiner, who has a bias in dramatic literature, acknowledged the director’s role in interpreting the playwright’s thematic pre -occupation in conceptualising the Ibibio ethnic nationality cosmology, said Etuk had provided meaning to the interpretation of the Ibibio world view in the play.

She noted that “he has clearly shown the relationship among the world of the living, the dead and the unborn.”

Though in her critique, she pointed out that Etuk stayed close to the script, but in his directing could have made personal innovations which could have shorten the script to less than 102 minutes.

“It was an interesting performance in concept, style and interpretation of the world view, the scenes which help in the understanding of the environment,” she explained, pointing out that although she had not read the play, her understanding came from the perspective of directing the production.

Prof. Emenyi, therefore applauded the director’s guide on dialogue, characterisation, make up, custume, and set arrangements, and music.

The examiner also faulted some levels of articulation, projections, pronunciation, lighting for visibility, floor pattern, and handling of things on sets.

The play, ISADOK, is a metaphor that brings to reality some of the cosmological puzzles that are apparent in the Ibibio society, the belief system of the Ibibio people, which align with Wole Soynka’s idea of the existence of three worlds; the world of the living, the death, and the unborn.

The play, according to them, highlighted the overwhelming influence of ‘Atakpo’, and ‘Amamong’, both ancestral deities and belief system of the Uruan and Okobo people respectively in Akwa Ibom State.

“The setting depicted a desolate homestead in a rural community. On the wall of the mud house was a large crack on the wall, cobwebs on upstage right to expose the neglect of the environment.

“At the opening scene, Mama Koko rocks on a wooden stool, the baby on her laps was covered, and from time to time, she opened the wrap to check the child. At intervals, there were sounds of the talking drum and songs of sorrow to further extend the mood of despair.

“The overwhelming forces ‘Atakpo’ and ‘Amamong’ and quests for city life have separated the couple, ‘Itabi’ and ‘Mama Koko’, the characters.

“While ‘Mama Koko’, is in the village hooked by the claws of the priest of ‘Atakpo’, ‘Itabi’ is in the city in search of change, yet still hunted by foundational forces.

“While grappling with the influence of tradition, the emergence of the Church and the belief that deliverance from ancestral spirits of ‘Atakpo’ and ‘Amamong’ can only come from God, the Almighty. ‘Atakpo’ and ‘Amamong’ eventually lose their overwhelming influence in the society and the Church redeemed the family and reunited the couples,” the play stated.