Kurunmi: an Historical Tragedy

by Ola Rotimi

Genres: Plays

95 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1985

About the author

Olawale Gladstone Emmanuel Rotimi, best known as Ola Rotimi (13 April 1938 – 18 August 2000), was one of Nigeria's leading playwrights and theatre directors. He has been called "a complete man of the theatre – an actor, director, choreographer and designer – who created performance spaces, influenced by traditional architectural forms."

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A majestic play, that races the pulses throughout. And the dialogue is colourful, faithful to its African ambience, and full of proverbs, idioms and wise saws. "We shall all die - gbere...we shall all die; gbere!" War and its horrors, as Ijaiye, led by larger than life generallisimo, Kurunmi, gets ready for battle, Kurunmi convinced he's defending the honour of Yoruba race in general; not happy with the kingship succession plans in Oyo. But not all Yoruba leaders agree with Kurunmi; strong Ibadan for one, with the ruthless war-monger Ogunmola ready to put Kurunmi in his place at last. Kurunmi decides to fight, and his town Ijaiye would pay an exceedingly heavy, horrific price for this. Yet Kurunmi has allies, the formidable Egba warriors "The Egbas are here!!" But alas, the symbolic Ose river looms large, which Kurunmi in his wisdom says he and his allies must never cross. But the Egba warriors (their leaders) disagree and threaten to return home...and a sad, chastened Kurunmi is forced to agree that they should cross the Ose river then. Which the allies do -with disastrous effects!!! Ogunmola and his own warriors now have the upper hand and decimate the allies. Ogunmola and his troops are ruthless with Kurunmi and his sons - all five sons are killed, the eldest savagely; a terrible blow for Kurunmi on a personal level. "When a leader has led his people to disaster...the soft touch of dew (hurts)." This is genuine tragedy; and the Ijaiye war was of course a reality – which great playwright Ola Rotimi based this powerful play on. Kurunmi in this play commits suicide in the end, knowing Ijaiye is devastated and captured..."Ijaiye b'oju wehin...a o ma ri baba mo... Kurunmi" It is the end indeed...a masterpiece

[Olatomiwa Bifarin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kurunmi is a historical war play staged sometimes in the 19thcentury. Aare Kurunmi, the protagonist, occupies the position of war-general-cum-defense-ministerof the disintegrating Oyo empire of the West Africa. The author (knowingly or unknowingly) explores the skin-in-the-game philosophy, where leaders lead with their skin in the game. In shorts when a leader cooks, they eat from their own cooking very quickly. The way things are supposed to be, not the baloney set-up we have in today’s world

Aare Kurunmi's skin-in-the-gamephilosophy is particularly penetrating - he went to war with his 5 sons! Fighting at the forefront, where the battle boils of the greatest heat. And, well, the sad part: they all died. A leader should lead right in front, with all his skin in the game. If a leader calls for ‘war’, let them go to ‘war’.

And what led me to the book? My study of the Old Oyo Empire and a beautiful song titled Kurunmi by Beautiful Nubia.

[Oluseyi Bakare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play, Kurumi, is one of the excellent plays written by Ola Rotimi. This work is based on historical accuracy. This much can be ascertained by reading the classic,HISTORY OF THE YORUBAS by Samuel Johnson. Kurunmi s is tragic story Very tragic really. Ijaiye town is destroyed, and all the sons of Kurunmi killed in the process as war unfolds. So much blood spilled in horrific fashion. Yet one wonders what'd have happened if the Ose river had not been crossed. Kurunmi, and the plight of Are ona kankafos. Even in very modern times, Akintola and Abiola were beleaguered enough

[Biọlá · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in primary school, even though it wasn't a recommended school book. I just stumbled upon it in the school library.
I loved it, and I really want to read it again.
It is an historical play based on the Ibadan/Ijaiye war. Kurunmi is the ijaiye warlord who declares war on Ibadan and the Oyo alaafin.

[Mobolaji Ridwan]

Very interesting book

[Beetife Aurora]

Vet great and iconic

[Achegbulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love it

[Adewusi Sijuade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book

[Testimony Oluwabusayomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Charles Manu]

i want to know the details is this book