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Sir Mohamed Tarqui Jalloh, the narrator
By Munyal Markus Manunyi
Africa had in the past been under the shackles of colonialism, but with the passage of time most African countries began to feel the need to free themselves from this bondage. Notably, one such country that passed through brambles and briers, thick and thin to obtain its independence from colonial rule, is Sierra Leone. She gained her independence on April 27th 1961.
Togo and Sierra Leone share the same date of independence.
Speaking with Sir Mohamed Tarqui Jalloh, a poet/spoken word artist with the International African Writers Association, You and Literature, gathered that a drama was staged in Sierra Leone during this year’s Independence Day celebration to commemorate such an important occasion.
The drama was titled: Sierra Leone – ‘Her Story’. The production was a poetic drama highlighting Sierra Leonean heroes who through history stood up for freedom and the right to their identity as self-determined people. It was staged into three acts:
Act One
Act one dealt with slavery and colonial rule. In this act, three prominent Sierra Leoneans were highlighted:
Sengbe Pieh, a slave who led the Amistad revolt and was subsequently tried in United States for mutiny and murder at high seas. He would later be acquitted and returned to Sierra Leone working with the American Missionary Society as a liaison for freed slaves.
Bai Bureh, a Loko Chief, who led a rebellion against the British in protest for the house tax imposed on locals (known as the Hut Tax War).
Such was his military prowess; he was not captured but rather surrendered to ease the hardship of war on his citizens. He would be taken to the Gold Coast (Ghana) on political exile, returning to Sierra Leone some years later.
Madam Yoko, a Mende Chief, who founded the Bondo Society, still present in Sierra Leone. This is a cultural passage of rite for women, teaching not only how to take care of the home and children, but also how to become empowered. Her story serves as an early form of what modern day women empowerment movements are about.
Act Two
Act two focused on the era of Independence in Sierra Leone, with the following icons being portrayed:
Ella Koblo-Gulama, a Mende Chief who would become the first woman parliamentarian and cabinet minister within Sub Saharan Africa. In the days of men running affairs, her political strive would open the gates for other women to engage at all levels of politics.
Sir Milton Margai, the first Prime Minister of an independent Sierra Leone. He would lead the delegation that visited the United Kingdom to negotiate terms of Sierra Leone’s Independence.
Isaac A. T. Wallace-Johnson, a writer, unionist and Pan Africanist, who was a key leader in the push for independence and self-governance.
Siaka Stevens, the First Executive President of Sierra Leone. He was part of the independence delegation, but left before its conclusion; as he was of the strong opinion that an election should be held before independence. He would also serve as a Prime Minister prior to Sierra Leone’s being declared a Republic.
Act Three
Examines the Civil War Era in Sierra Leone with the below icons portrayed:
Cpl. Foday Sankoh, Leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the rebel outfit that instigated the war, with an initial aim of removing the government of the day who they determined had led the country down a path of decadence, corruption and other vices. His rebellion would lose focus and concentrate on enrichment (diamonds) and wanton destruction.
Sam Hinga Norman, a Mende Chief, politician and founder of the Kamajors, a local tribal militia who fought alongside the government against the RUF. He would serve briefly as minister of defence.
Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, President, who’s lasting legacy includes nor only bringing the civil war to a close, but also laying the blueprint for democratic and infrastructural institutions (Anti-Corruption Commission and National Revenue Authority) as examples that would yield dividends for generations of Sierra Leoneans.
When looking at the relevance of this drama to Sierra Leone and its impact to the society, from the perspective of creative writing, ‘Her-Story’, serves as a tangible example for the adage; ‘If you don’t know where you are going, know where you came from’. Each icon portrayed did not only serve as a historic figure, but delved into the thought processes of the events around them and their actions. This form of history aims to bring to limelight a critical look at Sierra Leone’s history; finding inspirations through these and many other Sierra Leonean icons who have had their side of history either white washed or downplayed as not being relevant.
As creative writers, the directors of this drama not only found it a pleasure to research deeper into our African stories, they also saw the need to re-enforce our Pride of being Africans who have a rich history and the impact they have on a global scale. Taking a look at an example, the trial of Sengbeh Pieh had a former President of America (John Quincy Adams) as member of their defense team. The trial and its aftermath served as a direct catalyst to the ban on slavery in the United States, which in turn sparked their civil war. Such historical fact can only be brought to the foreground by Africans, as we’ve had our history described to us, as pleased, for far too long.
The production of this drama was inspired to bring about a sense of patriotism, to revamp the dwindling sense of patriotism arising from daily challenges faced by an average Sierra Leonean citizen. It was also inspired to write their own stories as Sierra Leoneans, as it encompasses the socio-economic and political elements that make them uniquely Sierra Leonean. This of course can apply to any African, as we serve to revive our sense of being proud Africans who can be confident to dictate our own stories.
The brain behind this great drama is
Jaylay Gomei (Storytelling Festival in Mende – a Sierra Leonean language). Its founders are same as its directors, and they include:
- Sunah Keili
- Antonia Howard
- Annmarie Yajah
- David Manley
- Mohamed Tarqui Jalloh.
The entire crew of the drama production is a collection of creatives not only in literary arts, but other creative and practical arts.
Aims
Jaylay Gomei, aims to be a safe space for Sierra Leonean creatives, to have the creative freedom to express themselves, without fear and/or prejudice.
Munyal is the Global President of International African Writers Association.
Contact:
Phone number: +2348163512022
Email: [email protected]
