Titabet and the Takumbeng

Phase 3, Scene 2

40 all the secret files of your husband. Remember no jokes about this. [Releases her from his grip and only points the gun at her. She tries to sob.] Heh! No sound. Just move inside. [By this time he has taken off his dark eye glasses and other disguise garment. Nahsala moves ahead of him as they enter the house.] PHASE 3, SCENE 2 [The Takumbeng is meeting in her original sacred shrine far removed from the city. The use of light should suggest this. They are crammed inside a hut with firewood smouldering with fire at the centre. From their small number it is evident that some are either missing or have decided not to participate for fear of the soldiers. They are all standing with ferocious looks. They speak in low tunes because of the tense atmosphere now prevailing in Bamenda.] NAHYUMA(LEADER) Takumbeng our sacred cult is almost in disarray! NAHYENI(ASSISTANT) Let us not give up yet! 41 NAHVOMA A terrible ordeal has happened to Nahsala NAHTEMA She has been incarcerated like her husband. Just because she refused to yield to Captain´s demands. NAHYUMA We have to carry the message to the governor tonight. NAHYENI And to the barracks!! NAHVOMA Midnight is the time, sisters. We must march as usual. Forget about those who have not joined us for fear of the gun. NAHTEMA It is said that when the house is on fire, the cats escape through the side holes. NAHYUMA You are right. Like cats we must change tactics. Tiptoe! Yes tiptoe, sisters until we are at the barracks. Nahyeni, forget not to blow out the ash to towards the sky. NAHYENI Ofcourse not. I already have it with me. Thus we will finally cast the enemy away. 42 NAHYUMA Last but one sister. Your hands must be clasped in respect to our ancestors when we are moving. We will only open them when we must have surrounded the barracks. [She then moves to the threshold of the hut to perform the departure rites.] Our dead but living spirits, Give us more force to cleanse this land from danger. Takumbeng as you know is the weapon of the unarmed. Let us salvage this land from pain and death. Tonight let your will be done. [They all come forward swearing by rubbing their faces on the insignia before leaving the stage.] [END] ...