Fointama: A Play

Prologue

1 Prologue A Grove Enter the priest. He is old and dressed in ritual attire. He takes two steps to the left side of his grove, Makes some incantations, Pours some libations, Sings a song of appeasement and Then, returns to his original position. He sits down. Enter Ngam, a young man. Ngam Is Bobe Mbangsibu in his shrine? Ba, can you hear me? Bangsibu Yes son. Come in. What is the news from the world of the living? Ngam Old one, the land is pregnant. Bangsibu Pregnant? Ngam Yes Ba. Pregnant 2 Bangsibu Laughs and stretches his old limbs When do you think the land will put to birth? Ngam The land? Bangsibu Yes. The land. Ngam Put to birth? Bangsibu Yes. Put to birth. Ngam Why? Bangsibu Because it is pregnant. Ngam What I mean is that there is an abomination in the land. There is a snake on our roof and if we are not careful, It will finish with us. In fact, the cock has laid an egg. And it might produce an adder. Bangsibu You speak like an elder. Your words are strong and indirect like those of your elders. [Aside] They have learned the cunning tongue to deal with the poor. They use their indirect tongues to manipulate the poor. They think their cunning tongues will not be understood by the gods. 3 Their time, and now is the time, has come. [To Ngam] Since when did you join their club? Ngam I am not an elder and I do not envy them or want to join them. Bangsibu In plain language, what is wrong in the world of the living? Ngam It is a man and his daughter. Bangsibu What has happened to them? Ngam Suicide. Bangsibu Suicide is good. Ngam There you go again, playing. Bangsibu I am not playing. I am just marvelled by your tale. I am just examining the possibilities of your tale. The greatness of this tale and how it will be told, For a long time to come, to both the young and the old. A man and the daughter! Suicide! That is an interesting tale. Ngam It is the Fuli Princess and her father. [Disappointed.] 4 Bangsibu Where are they? Ngam Dead. Suicide. Gone for good. Bangsibu (Looks at the ground, Recites some incantations and Pours libation again from his cup.) The will of the gods must always come to pass. Blessed are those who understand it and obey. Ngam Are the gods aware of this disgrace? Bangsibu They willed it. Ngam Why should they do a thing like that? At least Fuli was a great man and heir to the palace of Kom And his daughter, a worthy Princess. Bangsibu I thought you asked a question? But again, you give answers. And yet, I must give you the right answers; the truth. Listen. (Quick change of scene) ...