Introduction to an African Drama “Let me Die Alone” by John .K. Kargbo.
Background and Setting
The dramatic text “Let me Die Alone” was composed in sierra leone and was initially written in sierra Leone’s dialect, Krio. The text satirizes the inequities of the nation’s colonized society because it slams corruption, ineptitude, and the ferocious pursuit of power, which is commonplace in the Sierra Leonean elite. The attitudes above inspired Kargbo’s desire to write this play, and he was removed to exile in Nigeria, where he continued his studies and also wrote comedy plays. “Let Me Die Alone,” the play “Let me Die Alone,” is set in the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone in the pre-colonial period. The play is centered around women’s struggles, which are typical topics in African literature today. And it is a theme that runs through the entire performance.
Summary Of Let Me Die Alone
John K. Kargbo, in his play “Let Me Be Alone summarizes the plethora of betrayals in the traditional African tradition-based society. The setting is in The Senehun and Moyamba villages in the Mende Kingdom; the play exposes the sins and tragedies that the desire for power and the lack of trust in the people one trusts could cause to society. It represents the evil that an excessive thirst for power could bring.
A duo named Musa and Lamboi, blinded by their insatiable desire to be kings (i.e., the chief’s throne), betrays two chiefs who have succeeded them. They also play a key role in the deaths of Gbanya and Jeneba and, through them, the suicidal murder of Yoko.
The play opens with a romantic scene between Gbanya, the chief of Senehun, and Yoko, his favorite of his wife’s thirty-seven wives. A guard interrupts their love by delivering a message to the Governor of the Colonial State is headed to Senehun.
Gbanya is depressed by the planned trip of the Governor. He is also worried about his visions before now about his father coming home. In Africa, when the predecessor of a chief or king is summoned, what signifies is the fact that the incumbent will shortly rejoin his ancestors.
In the circumstances, Gbanya suspects that something awful could happen to him very soon. The fact that he was a partisan of John Caulker against his brother, George Caulker, in an all-white war further reinforces his fears and shakes his faith.
In the beginning, Yoko tries to dissuade him from engaging in these thoughts. When he is not opposed to her suggestions, she makes him remember his vow to transfer the throne to her upon his death. Gbanya opposes this arrangement. He asserts the truth it is the case that Mende Land is in a state of disorder and chaos. It requires a person to make amends.
We meet Musa and Lamboi following. These two could be part of Gbanya’s government. Lambo intends to be the chief and is seeking the support of Musa to kill Gbanya. Initially, Musa refuses to oblige to Lamboi’s nefarious plan. He eventually agrees to help after Lamboi threatens to reveal the secrets of human sacrifices.
The colonial Governor, Dr. Rowe, arrives at Senehun. As expected, he humiliates Gbanya over his support for a white brother over the other. Lambo and Musa take advantage of their anger and poison Gbanya following the Governor’s departure. Gone.
As he slumbers in death, Gbanya is quick to realize he is poisoned and what caused the fact that why he has been poisoned. He tries to transfer the power to Yoko before his death. He passes away while doing so.
In triumph, Lamboi proclaims himself the new chief. However, Suspicious Yoko believes Gbanya was killed at the hands of Lamboi and his comrades and objects to the announcement. She takes on the role of a leader instead.
In the next scenes, we witness explosive growth in Yoko’s power due to her adherence to Governor Kimbo and the growth of her authority. There is a shift of her seat in the government previously held by Senehun to Moyamba.
We also see infidelity from Jilo with Ndapi. Jilo is engaged in extramarital affairs with Lansana. Ndapi is the main warrior and is depicted in the media as an alleged woman-beater who abuses his wife. Jill sought solace later in her love affair with Lansana. Their only daughter, Jeneba, as she is known, an extremely sharp and intelligent young lady, often visits the palace.
Yoko, who has enough power, already wants to switch sides with one of her companions. As the Poro female, Yoko cannot imagine. She wants to be a mother, not a queen.
As the battle rages on, Musa and Lamboi do not relent in their plan to take down Yoko and claim the kingdom. They marvel at how Yoko has successfully steered the matters of the chiefdom and her skillfulness in maintaining friendly diplomatic relations with the Governor. They decide to execute Jeneba and then incite the population towards her (Yoko).
Ndapi, on the other hand, can catch an unaware Jilo in one of her many escapades with Lansana. She is dragged back to her palace. Yoko calms Ndapi and promises to take on Jilo. Yoko then makes an official visit to the Governor’s residence.
Before her travels, Jeneba is abducted by Musa and Lamboi to begin their sinister plan. Yoko demands a member of a search group solves the mystery of Jeneba’s disappearance.
While she’s away while they are away, their plan (Musa Lamboi’s and Musa’s) quickly take shape. They kill Jeneba and then entice people to believe they are Yoko is the of the crime here. They poison the minds of the populace and, in the community, Sande ladies, Jilo, and most especially Ndapi’s father. Baby, Ndapi.
On her arrival, Yoko is called several unprintable names upon her arrival. Her name is “witch,” “murderer,” etc. Yoko is confused by changes in the public’s attitude toward her. Her confusion increases when Ndapi is skeptical about her legitimacy.
In the wake of realizing she’s been accused of having dug up Jeneba alive to keep her power and gain an undeserved favor from the Governor and Governor, she denies having any role in Jeneba’s disappearance and pleads innocence.
API does not believe one of them. Instead, he attributes her pity due to her inability to reproduce. The queen is fortunate, Jeneba; her body is found dead. Jeneba is discovered mutilated. Her heart and private parts were removed.
Everyone realizes that Yoko is wrongly accused. Ndapi is the most notable. Ndapi is determined to the right the humiliation he made her suffer. Yoko declares that she will investigate the issue in its entirety within Poro Bush. Poro Bush.
After an extensive investigation, she discovers that Lamboi and Musa are responsible for Jeneba’s demise. Ndapi will attempt to track them, but Yoko can remind him about the consequences of their actions:
The noses of their victims will decay cataracts will join their eyeballs. Leprosy will consume their fingers, and elephantiasis will stick to their legs. This is Gbeni’s revenge. Yoko, Let Me die alone.
The messenger is introduced. He is on his way to deliver his message to the Governor of Yoko. Despite his huge vocabulary, he’s also discovered his affiliation with the Poro society. The Governor directs Yoko to surrender her conquered territory. This is the final straw that snapped the camel’s back.
Yoko discovers she has been overcome by depression and a disorder that affects the brain. She commits suicide despite the pleadings of everyone.
What is the significance of let me die alone?
What are the characters in Let me die alone?
How many acts are in let me die alone?
Who is the protagonist of the play let me die alone?
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