Stage play: African women at the receiving side of culture

WorldStage Newsonline—No group is better qualified to speak against the unfairness aspect of African culture and tradition than the one on the receiving side.

This may have inspired the choice of an (all-female) cast stage play titled, ‘Journey of an African Woman’ by BP Vision Limited at the weekend in Lagos.

The play which is an interpretation of the plight, reaction and repercussion of a woman, living in the African context was written, directed and produced by, Michael Asuelime. It drew attention to various ways and instances where African culture has been unjust to women.

When a man engages in extramarital affair, it is not a crime in African culture, but when a woman tries it, it’s an abomination!

The play which featured Ireti Doyle, Uzor Osimkpa, Aduke and others was supported by African Magic, Flex stitches, Jara, Slot among other.

Though, not a woman, Asuelime in an interview, said he was inspired by the injustice his mother was made to pass through when his father died. He said her head was shaved while mourning his father, all in the name of culture.

To the Edo born producer, there is a contradiction in a culture where women are shaved when their husbands die, but not applicable to men when they lose their wives.

He said he was not against tradition, but that there should be fairness. Women, he said should be given opportunity to express themselves.

“Just like men, they too have brain. They should be given the freedom to express themselves and participate in other activities,” he said.

He therefore called on the custodians of tradition to make it more female friendly.