If you have seen the movie, Ṣaworoidẹ (Brass bells) by Tunde Kelani of Mainframe Films (Opomulero), then the similarities of the tale and the present Nigeria, even the old days, will not surprise you. Ṣaworoidẹ is one of those movies that will remain evergreen and relevant as time passes by, seeing as corruption does not appear to be a thing that will ever be eradicated in the world.
For those that haven’t seen it, let me tell you the story. If you have, I will refresh your memory. Shall we begin?
So, there’s this ancient town called Jogbo. Rich town actually, but usually, the Kings are not influential nor wealthy because they don’t amass wealth for themselves, except for the town and people. Now, Jogbo had two ruling families, but it was to be the turn of Lapite, although there was another candidate called Adebomi. Lapite wanted the throne so he could enrich himself, but he had three oppositions. 1. Adebomi being a rightful claimant 2. Incision for all Kings. This incision ensures that the King cannot serve himself but the people. If he doesn’t, and he has incisions, he’ll die. 3. If he chooses not to have an incision and he wears the crown Adé Idẹ (Brass Crown), and an incised member of the Ayangalu family drums Ṣaworoidẹ (the twin of Ade Ide), he’ll die of headache.
Lapite
So, he chose to eliminate all three problems. 1. He had Adebomi and his wife killed, but Adebomi’s little boy was hidden by his parents and was spared, leading to his escape. 2. He refused to get an incision. 3. To curb the problem of 2, he had Ade Ide hidden in the Palace, and he asked that Ayangalu and his family be killed.
Now, Ayangalu’s daughter was the wife of Adebomi. So, the escaped boy is Anyagalu’s grandson. He took the boy and Ṣaworoidẹ and ran. He replaced Ṣaworoidẹ with a fake brass talking drum that looked exactly like it. He also went to warn his son, Ayaniyi, to run with his wife.
Ayangalu ended up living in the forest with the boy. For Lapite, he refused to make his wife the first lady, because according to him, she was too fat for the position. He got a pretty light-skinned lady, Tinuola, who was also Balogun’s daughter), to marry him. Unfortunately, Tinuola was already pregnant with her lover. Balogun asked her to hide it and marry the king like that because being a Queen is a once in a lifetime role.
Tinuola
Lapite eventually ascended the throne, and with the help of his chiefs, he began to exploit the wealth of the land — Trees. He invited a logging company to branch their business in Jogbo. They would cut trees and give him his percentage from the sales of these trees when converted to logs. But he started to complain that his share was too small. They told him it was because of his regulations. Replanting new trees, being careful with farmlands, etc also required funds. So he asked them to do away with all those rules and do as they liked, as long as his share of the loot increased.
Quickly, he and his chiefs got new cars, had overseas accounts, and had new houses erected. The people started to revolt. Their resources were being exploited, their farms were being destroyed, and there was nothing to show for it in Jogbo. Protests began with the youths, but some sets of youths went to Lapite to tell him that they had his back, as long as he gave them something. Lapite started arresting anyone who dared complain. Including those that were destroying the equipment and machinery of the loggers.
Fast forward to 15 years on the throne, nothing has changed and the press were getting harassed whenever they reported the truth. Despite all these, Lapite still planned a celebration for his 15th anniversary. His child (the one Balogun’s daughter was pregnant with) was now a teenager and a good dancer. She was to entertain and participate in the dance contest that would be held at the event. In the forest, Adebomi’s son was also now grown. Ayangalu sent him to Jogbo for the event, with a warning that he must never tell a soul who his father was. His alias was Arẹ́sẹ̀jábàtà. He would stay with the Ifá Priest for the duration of his stay under the guise of being an Ifa trainee. He also registered in the contest. He and the Princess — Arápáregangan, would be the final dancers at the event.
Arapa and Arese
They both became close. On the day of the event, during the dance contest, protesting youths with guns attacked and made away with Ade Ide. This was a major problem because Ade Ide must never be away from the Palace for more than 15 days. Else, the King would have to abdicate. Unknown to Lapite, the loggers funded the attack for their selfish reasons. Lapite was thrown into turmoil. The loggers knew that Lapite was desperate and they also knew a new king might not favour their business, so they offered Lapite a proposition. The proposition was an army commander — Lagata. Lagata would get Ade Ide back, but it would cost Lapite a lot. Desperate, Lapite gives them a blank check.
True to their words, Lagata and his Intel found the hideout of the youths and attacked, retrieving Ade Ide. Another celebration for this victory was held, Lagata being the guest of honour. At the Princess’s table, Arasejabata drank too much wine and getting intoxicated, told the Princess that he was the son of Adebomi. The Princess went to ask her mother who Adebomi was, alerting Lapite in the process. Lapite quietly ordered the execution of the boy, but it would be risky since he was at the Princess’s table. He said they should kill them both, seeing as she’s a bastard and he knew all these while. The Queen heard and ran to warn her daughter and Arẹ́sẹ̀jábàtà. So, they fled. Still at the party, when it was time for Lagata to say what he wanted, he said he wanted the throne and crown. Amidst surprise, he staged a coup and killed Lapite, taking the throne and starting a military rule.
Lagata after retrieving Ade Ide
Unfortunately again, Lagata was also corrupt, even though he claimed he killed Lapite because he wanted to eradicate corruption, the people believed he would not have forced himself on the throne if all he wanted was to save them. So, the hardship increased. He began planning a coronation for himself, where he would crown himself with Ade Ide. The angry youths went to the Ifá Priest, who told them about the connection between Ṣaworoidẹ and Ade Ide whenever Adeide is worn on a head without incisions. He took them to the forest to meet Ayangalu, but they had a traitor among them. The traitor went to report to Lagata the plans of the youths, leading to Ayangalu’s getting arrested. When they asked him about Ṣaworoidẹ, he said it had been destroyed.
Unknown to them, Before his arrest, Ayangalu had used a spiritual summon to call his son home. Ayaniyi was about to eat when he heard the call in his head.
Arẹ́sẹ̀jábàtà took the youths to where Saworoide was hidden and carried it. Ayaniyi came home to Baba Ifá’s surprise. He said he heard his father call him home with the drum. Baba Ifá asked him if he was ever incised before fleeing years back. He said yes, his father did it for him. 😁😁😁.
D-day came and after the usual fanfare, it was time for Lagata to wear the brass crown. He called Balogun to crown him and after this, drummers began to drum in jubilation, but among them was Ayaniyi with Ṣaworoidẹ. Ayaniyi began to drum, and slowly the atmosphere began to change. Lagata was holding his neck in pain, going down. Lagata died eventually from what appeared to be a migraine on the spot and everywhere scattered. The youths began to arrest the corrupt chiefs and overpowered Lagata’s army.
That was how Arẹ́sẹ̀jábàtà was finally incised and became the rightful King. Ayangalu was released and he thanked Ayaniyi for heeding his call. The film ended as he drummed Ṣaworoidẹ at last.
I won’t start going philosophical, but I am sure the similarities and results speak for themselves. I say a big thank you to Mr. Tunde Kelani of Mainframe Productions for giving us this story, and for giving us stellar actors that embody their roles. As a storyteller and writer, I would be considered disrespectful if I did not acknowledge the story and scriptwriter — Late Professor Akinwumi Isola, a Playwright, dramatist, and actor. Some of his notable works are Efunsetan Aniwura, Oleku, Agogo Eewo (Saworoide sequel), Koseegbe, etc.
Tunde Kelani
Late prof. Akinwumi Isola
Trust me, you need to see this movie for yourselves. The quotes are worth remembering, and the humour is top-notch. So, if you are interested, follow this link and watch for yourself. The second part is on the same channel.
