Acts 1
Scene 1
The scene is the land of Eziala Ukwu.
A land on the eastern part of Nigeria ravaged by drought, and subject to a great curse.
The scene reveals the atmosphere intense with heavy sorrow.
The people in deep mourning are seen gathering in great mass at the home of Akpakirika the Chief priest of Osimiri, for his memorial and burial service.
Osimiri is the ancient god of the eziala ukwu who resides at the Mbueli River.
Silent tears rush like streams from the women's eyes as they hum a sorrowful song for the lost of an only comfort.
The men, in utmost sorrow fold their arms and shaking their heads in dismay.
Their eyes red with weeping and hearts bleeding with tears unseen.
So despair, and clouded with grief.
The sight of the grief-stricken children and the hunger impression
Gloom and overtakes their hearts with pains.
Like children bereave of breadwinner they lament greatly, with their appearances endowed, with hardship.
Moreover, the heat of the sun stings mercilessly on their wounded hearts and bare heads.
FUNERAL BEGINS
Enters ten young men wearing white clothe round their waists.
Their bare bodies painted with Nzu (sacred white chalk used by witch doctors for incantations},
And their lips sealed with palm fronds, so that they might not utter a word.
for the fronds on their lips are sacred which depicts they are on a sacred priestly mission and they are under oath to speak to none until the sacred purpose is achieved.
by uttering amiss they may offend the god and defile the moment.
and these, are young men from the Mpiete priestly lineage.
Entering on queue with their backs, with fresh ten human heads on their hands still dripping with blood, to stand behind the corpse of the Akpakirika. The people startle in awe at their sight.
A loud gun shots bangs into the air 7 times, interrupting the long silence.
The hearts of the people pause a while at the sight of these youths and the gun sounds, but then the reality return to overwhelm them further, as the bang fades.
First villager
Oh, the great eagle has flown to never return.
The sky is clouded with its presence, but the earth will
No longer feel its shelter and strength.
Will there ever be another like this akpakirika, uh?
Second villager
The greatest Iroko from the Mpiete lineage has fallen!
And the land so poor, will be enriched with the presence of
Such wealth that shall be laid to its River.
Oh, the jewel, the great eye of the god, and the dragon of eziala ukwu....chai!!
(Sobs}
Shall journey to the land beneath the river and shall return no more.
Our only hope to survive the curse is taken from us.
YOU ARE READING
The Missing Line
General FictionIn this epic drama, you will find the way of life of the people of eziala ukwu: the sights of mermaids, Burying the priest with ten human heads and the act of the bloodline kissing the corpse, Were all common fetish belief. Furthermore, all that was...
