Review: Women of Owu by Femi Osofisan
Title: Women of Owu
Author: Osofisan, Femi
Length: 78 pages
Genre: Fiction, Play, History
Publisher / Year: University Press PLC, Ibadan / 2006
Source: Book Depository
Rating: 3.5/5
Why I Read It: I heard about Osofisan somewhere and picked up this and Who’s Afraid of Solarin?.
Date Read: 03/03/11
This was the second play I’ve read this year, both of which were by Osofisan. Unfortunately I did not love this one as much, but I still found it very interesting. This play is an African retelling of Euripides’ The Trojan Women and I also suspect that I would have gotten a lot more from this play had I read the original.
As per the notes on the play, Owu was a city-state in the south of current Nigeria which was under siege for seven years by the combined armies of Ijebu and Ife, as well as mercenaries recruited from the Oyo refugees. The city was attacked under the guise of liberating a market from their control but in the end all men and children were murdered, women were taken as slaves, and the city was burned to the ground.
The play would be fantastic to see live, I’m sure, as it is not only a play but also full of music and dirges. These dirges are transcribed and translated in the back but as the author notes, ‘their essence is to be distilled more from the mood and atmosphere they create’ so simply reading the translated lyrics really doesn’t do them justice. Simply reading them and imagining them sung, especially as they fit in to the play itself, is still rather evocative and one can get a sense of what an experience the live play would be.
Although based on a play which was written so long ago, and based on events that happened over a hundred years ago, the events discussed still feel so current to our own times. I especially liked this quote found on page 8:
Woman: Nowadays,
When the strong fight the weak, it’s called
A Libeartion War
To free the weak from oppression.
And similarly the following exchange on page 13:
Woman: Liars! You came, you said
To help free our people from a wicked king. Now,
After your liberation, here we are
With our spirits broken and our faces swollen
Waiting to be turned into whores and housemaids
In your towns. I too, I curse you!Erelu: Savages! You claim to be more civilized than us
But did you have to carry out all this killing and carnage
To show you are stronger than us? Did you
Have to plunge all these women here into mourning
Just to seize control over our famous Apomu market
Known all over for its uncommon merchandise?Woman: No, Erulu, what are you saying?
Are you forgetting?
They do not want our market at all-Woman: They are not interested in such petty things
As profit-Woman: Only in lofty, lofty ideas, like freedom-
Woman: Or human rights-
…
Woman: Bless the kindness which has rescued us
From tyranny in order to plunge us into slavery!
A rather long excerpt but one that many would still hold happens all the world over today. We still hear the same laments and curses!
There were also interesting discussions about who is really in charge of your destiny. Do the gods control everything? There is an interesting exchange where they simply create more and more war. Or is it men who are in control or their own fates and the gods not important? Both ideas are presented and differing characters hold differing views.
What bothered me was of course what sets the play in its ultimate comparison to Euripides’ play. Iyunloye is the Helen in this play and the situation where the other women are calling her out as an adulteress and she is bargaining for her rights is… well… slightly repugnant to me. The way it is portrayed is that one look at her and the Maye won’t be able to stick to his plan of punishing her. She is willy and tricky and seeks to control men through her looks. She has indeed been used as a bargaining chip by both sides and is equally blamed by both sides. It really didn’t seem all that fair to me!
A lot to think on in this play that I really haven’t even touched. Definitely worth reading and I would recommend it to all.
Plays are very hit or miss with me (and if I’m honest, mainly miss).
I do like the idea of this play being based on The Trojan Women; I get a kick out of reading an original and an adaptation.
Yes, I tend to not do so well with plays either mostly Trisha. I really want to read the original of this now too I have to admit!
I haven’t read a play yet this year. I have the gods are not to blame by Ola Rotimi. Yes, everything that was said in the quote above still happens now. They do. It’s so pathetic.
I’ve heard a lot about Ola Rotimi Nana but have yet to pick anything up. One of these days! And agreed, very pathetic…
I sometimes have a problem reading plays, and haven’t ventured forth and read that many of them due to all these issues I have with the way things are arranged on the page. This sounds interesting though, and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
Yes I tend to not read many either zibilee, but I’ve enjoyed the two that I’ve read this year so perhaps I’ll have to try a few more
I have seen this in the book stores and passed by. I am wondering if I should pick it up.
I would recommend it Geosi, though I do think I would recommend the other one (Solarin) more highly still.
Sadly I don’t seem to read a lot of plays, or any. Will have to look if the library has anything by Osofisan!
Yes do check him out Bina
I do not believe I have ever read a play…. this sounds interesting – is there one you would recommend Amy?
I would recommend his play Who’s Afraid of Solarin? Sheila, I think it would be a good, funny starter.
I like the idea of an adaptation of Trojan Women. This sounds like a fascinating tale and one I imagine would present itself really well on the stage. I may have to pick this up and read it. The plot sounds compelling. I’ve read excerpts from the original Trojan Women (but it was a long time ago).
I really want to read the original now dragonflyy419! This really would be better live but it was still interesting in print.
I appreciate the book becoz ot diction and it characters.FEMI OSOFISAN GOOD WORK.
Yes, very good work by Osofisan you are right Folaranmi. The characters and diction were really well done. Thank you for the visit and the comment.
the book is really good,i really like it,i do read it at my leisure time,kudos to the writer.
So glad to hear that you enjoyed this one as well Iyanuloluwa Ayodeji. Definitely many kudos to the writer
This play is an inspiring and most disturbing one,it is a statement to all and sundry who kills in the name of liberation
Yes, a loud and clear statement you are right. Thank you for the visit and the comment Ekevere Francis.
I REALY LOVE THE PLAY,WOMEN OF OWU
I’m glad to hear that Constance. Thank you for the visit and the comment. I hope you read and enjoy more of Osofisan’s works
women of owu is a very nice play, i red de book august this yr, and @ my gce exam literature, we were told to discuss the inportant of erelu in the play, and quess wat it very easy for me to ans,
Thanks for the visit and the comment de don cena. So glad to hear you liked the play, and also that you did so well
Women of owu is an intresting book
Glad you enjoyed it as well Ebuka!
The book tells me a lot. Eg. Not to be arrogant.
Thanks for the comment Prince Nkrumah! Glad you liked it.
I think this just have to do with the trojan of women in nigeria also including the beauty of african women.
Good observations Habisoyeh01.
One thing that stands out about the book is the emotion it stirs in the reader. It is easier to identify with the language of the book if you are a yoruba by tribe.
So glad to hear that Objective Observer. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
wat re d factors dat led 2 d fall of d owu kingdom
Read the book Abayomi, then you will know.
why don’t you just say it
I’m not about to do homework for you iseghohi! Plus, you wouldn’t regret the read, a great book
these book is so nice i enjoyed reading it
Glad to hear it Janko!
i enjoyed reading this drama and i hope whatever question that may drop in my final exams will ae well answered
Good luck affum
Do you wanna recommend another one?
Anything by Osofisan is great Iyanuloluwa.
this book is good qudos to femi osofisan
Agreed Adesuyi!
Factors dat led 2 d fall of owu:They took over d Apomu market-They failed 2 adhere 2 d prophecy given concerning Dejumo-Abduction of Iyunloye at d market of Apomu-Selling of other yorubas into slavery-They disobeyed their gods-Waging war against ife which happens 2 b d ancestrial land of yorubas.
Thanks for your analysis Anuoluwapo.
Having read some litrary works written by Femi Osofisan including The Women of Owu, I consider him the best dramatist of contemporary Nigeria.
Glad to hear it Emmy, I look forward to reading more by him in the future.
The book was realy a gud one. God bless u
Thanks Benjamin.
Motivating! an historical play of superb quality,the use of irony
Thanks Jinadu.
gudos to all who have read it;s one of my best,the only person i blame is Erelu,because had she adhered to the prophecy we wouldn’t have another cause to say’ the gods are not to blame
Thanks for your thoughts Iariba!
Everything about what you have writen has a deeper meaning; capable of helping many lives.
The play is gr8, i reveals d incapability of gods, & their deceit.
Women of owu is a nice and intresting play
I think apart from the language of okinba lauko whlch should not hinder the understanding of an average reader, the language is said to be splendid. I also love the way he uses the play to project the tragedy of war also the fact that beauty ruins
Fantastic point Sowade, thanks for sharing. Beautiful language indeed.
how can i get the book women of owu? Thanks
Femi i will like to get this novel through my phone ok ?
I love your postings and every thing about the site
sir thank u for enlighting us and let us know the past event
this book by femi osofisan,is a book which shows anger and revenge as a human nature.