Fointama: A Play

Scene I

5 Scene I Light At the palace of the chief of Fuli Enter Tufoin and Yuh; all attendants. Yuh It seems to me that the moon of the village has found her sun. Tufoin The Prince of Belo, The one to pay for the golden prize. Yuh Then he must be very lucky. The moon of this village shines. She shines in deeds. She shines in thought and in words she shines. Tufoin I see you have changed from an attendant to a griot. Yuh How do you make the difference? Tufoin The attendant is quiet, Because he knows the truth that bites. He is quiet because his words can spill blood. He is quiet because his tongue reveals not peace. But, the griot is noisy, He is noisy because he wants to eat. He is noisy because he knows not what he sings. 6 Yuh I am griot and you are attendant. Is that what should make the heir of Belo unhappy about his bride in the person of our most exquisite moon? Tufoin I have not said so. I think the prince of Belo too is a worthy man. Yuh That makes the two of them better then. Tufoin It is their business. The woman who does not eat the gizzard Has nothing to say about the taste, Even though she is the one who prepares it to be eaten. Yuh I have been wondering why Belo has been visiting Fuli So much these past days. His son is lucky. Tufoin You had better caution her for I see your moon in clouds. And the darkness to come that will spread through the land. And you and I and all will be causalities. And the moon will not shine. And pain will reside in the land because of her doom. Caution her before that time comes. Caution her great griot. Yuh You must be jealous of the Prince of Belo. Be careful critical attendant. Tufoin Why? 7 Yuh Because from your words, you surely are eyeing the noble Princess but you are too cowardly to face her. [Laughs] Tufoin I do not think so. A termite can be eaten by any bird that wants to. Yuh There you lie. Tufoin Why? Yuh [Laughs.] I see I am right. You do not know your place. You should not have dreamed for this lady. She is not for you. She is for the prince. Tufoin Then who am I? Yuh You are a slave, by birth and upbringing. You are doomed to serve your master until this wretched life of yours ends in this troubled world of Fuli. Tufoin Who are the prince and princess? Yuh They are nobles by birth. They have their world which is not yours. Tufoin Do you know that someone is playing the drum already? 8 Yuh If it is the prince, fine. Any other person will be hastening his journey to Sowe;1 There to meet his ancestors. Tufoin Fointama, our great hunter is coming. [Enter Fointama.] Fointama Is the morning good? Yuh Yes, our great hunter. It is good. Tufoin Are your boys also good? Fointama They are. Just that hunting is becoming very difficult these days. Yuh We know that and we pray the gods for you. You know we are confident about your team And so, trust that you are up to the task for we have never Lacked meat. Tufoin He that gives you good things is never forgotten And forever is respected. From the hills of Boyo to Bingo. The great rivers of Mughom to the great palace at Laikom Your name is praised for your mighty exploits. 1 In Kom mythology, Sowe is the main passage that separates the world of the living and that of the dead. 9 Fointama Thank you very much. I must now go on to what I came for. Is the moon of Fuli in her hut? She summoned my presence. Yuh Great hunter, Hunter of all creatures, She is there. But you must be careful. When a master wants to eliminate his slave, He makes him feel he is an equal. Fointama I am still a youth and hot in my blood. Wise words are by me still incomprehensively understood. Would wise palace dwellers make your proposal clear to me? You know I only talk with the lions...