Nollywood Yoruba Film Project Sample Lesson on Saworoide (Kelani, 1999) This sample lesson was developed as a prototype for future learning materials based on the films of the esteemed Yoruba filmmaker, Tunde Kelani. The sample lesson uses Kelani s film Saworoide as source material. The complete film can be viewed on the YouTube website at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=pl1dc12b13d312203a&feature=viewall Overview of Lesson Structure STEP #1 STEP #2 Basic contextual information about the film is provided Synopsis, plot summary, and possible applications are also presented. STEP #3 An episode is used to teach varied pedagogic/grammatical principles as in Film #3: Saworoide (Brass Bells). STEP #4 STEP #5 The episode is followed up by a number of grammatical exercises to reinforce learning and linguistic retention. The episode is re-connected to the entire episode by providing a more detailed assignment or homework in which potential student generates expressions built from one of the episodes selected in the movie or the general theme of the movie. The Nollywood Yoruba Film Project seeks to construct an intermediate Yoruba curriculum based on Nigerian videos and films. The project was sponsored in 2010-2011 by the Center for Open Educational Resources and Language Learning (COERLL) at the University of Texas at Austin. More information at Project Director Omoniyi Afolabi, PhD. Department of Spanish and Portuguese The University of Texas at Austin 1
[ STEP #1 ] Film #3: Saworoide (Brass Bells) Title of Movie: Saworoide (Brass Bells) Date of Release: 1999 Written by: Akinwunmi Ishola Produced and Directed by: Tunde Kelani Classification: General Duration: 98 minutes Production Company: Mainframe Productions http://www.mainframemovies.tv/our-movies-saworoide/ Complete movie available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=pl1dc12b13d312203a [ STEP #2 ] Plot Summary Saworoide is set against the backdrop of a Yoruba community seeking to create checks and balances in order to prevent the excesses of the king and his aides. It is the story of the pact between Jogbo, an ancient community, and the kings that rule over it. King Lapite (Kola Oyewo) refused to partake in some traditional rites at his ascension because he knew he would not be able to indulge in corrupt practices if he did. He muzzled all opposition into submission and induced the local chiefs with money in order to perpetuate himself in power. Saworoide, the insignia of authority in Jogbo, eventually led to the dethronement of Lapite. Tunde Kelani s creative interpretation shows oath-taking as an agency of accountability and good governance. He ultimately celebrates aspects of African history and culture and tries to enlighten people about these. Possible Application(s) of this Video for Language Teaching African tradition abhors corruption and abuse of power. Hence, some of the songs, like Lapite ko ni joye, ose la o fi gun are targeted at corrupt rulers and politicians. The events that some of these songs criticize are magnified within the matrix of Yoruba spiritual and political configurations. 2
[ STEP #3 ] Scene Selections 1. The procession done for Lapite s predecessor when he died. This was done with fanfare because it is believed in Yorubaland that kings don t die, they only go to be world beyond where they continue to live in clover. 2. The refusal of Lapite to have incisions on him shows how people in power can circumvent traditional practices in order to avoid being sanctioned by the gods. 3. Age equates wisdom in Yourubaland. One of the chiefs, Lere Paimo, always sought the advice of Baba Opalanba (Adebayo Faleti) outside the king s palace whenever there was a knotty issue. Also, Baba Opalanba ingenuously uses oral traditions to allegorize Jogbo s socio-political landscape. The folksongs and riddles in the movie are woven into the fabric of the story and around Baba Opalanba. 4. Saworoide shows how important some symbols are to their communities and to Yoruba culture in general. [ STEP #4] Scene for Focused Study Encounter between Tinuola, the king s favorite (new) wife and Ashabi (older and first wife). Ashabi Pada wa n bi yi! Oo ri mi ni, Oju e fo ni? Come here! Did you not see me? Are you blind? Tinuola E wo iya aje yi, se o fe gbe mi subu ni? Look at this witch, do you want me to fall down? Ashabi Iwo gangan lo nsiwin, iwo gangan ni were! Pada ki owa lo si ilekun fun mi, mo fe ri oko mi. You are the crazy one, you are the mad woman! Come back here and open the door for me so that I can see my husband. Tinuola Kabiyesi ko si ni ile, aye re ko si dehin. Kabiyesi is not around, and this is not your place. [They began to fight.] Tinuola Ole! O fe ji mi lowo! Thief! She wants to steal my money! Oloye Ashabi, se o mo pe Kabiyesi ko gbodo ri e nihin. Pada lo si aye re bayi! [A chief walks in.] Ashabi, you know the king is not supposed to meet you here. Go back to your place now! 3
Questions for Comprehension 1. Ki lo de ti Tinuola ati Ashabi fi n ja? 2. Ta ni awon mejeeji n pe ni Kabiyesi? 3. Ta ni a maa npe ni Oloye? 4. Ki lo de ti Oloye fi gbe leyin Tinuola? 5. Ewo ni eebu ti o buru ju ninu were, asinwin, tabi aje? Grammatical and Idiomatic Structures A. Imperative: Pada wa n bi yi! B. Interrogative: Se o fe gbe mi subu ni? C. Expressing Desire/Want in the Possessive Mo fe ri oko mi. D. Expressing Insult: Ole! O fe jimi lowo! E. Negation: Kabiyesi ko gbodo ri e nihin. 4
Exercise A. Imperative Using the verbs provided in parenthesis, complete the following commands: Example: Pada wa nibi yi! (come back here!) 1. si ibe yen! (sit down there!) 2. de mi! (wait for me!) 3. mi lowo! (help!. me) 4. nibe! (be quiet!) 5. lo! (hurry up and go!) 6. kia-kia! (eat fast!) 7.! (listen!) 8.! (sleep!) 9.! (wake up!) 10. omi! (drink water!) 11.! (think!) 12. awo! (wash plates!) 13. aso! (iron clothes!) 14. Tete! (arrive early!) 15. ilekun (open the door!) 5
Exercise B. Interrogative Answer the following questions by negating the statement in the following: Example: Se o fe gbe mi subu ni? (Do you want me to stumble and fall?) Rara, mi o fe gbe e subu. (Not at all, I did not mean to make you stumble.) 1. Se o fe lo si oja Oyingbo ni? 2. Se o fe sun ni? 3. Se o fe jeun ni? 4. Se o fe kawe ni? 5. Se oju e fo ni? 6. Se orun n kun e? 7. Se ebi n pa e ni? 8. Se o fe soro ni? 9. Se ara e o ya ni? 10. Se eti ndun e ni? 6
Exercise C. Expressing Desire/Want in the Possessive Using the nouns in the parenthesis, complete the following: Example: Mo fe ri oko mi. (my husband) 1. Mo fe ri. (my children) 2. Mo fe ri. (my teacher) 3. Mo fe ri. (my parents) 4. Mo fe ri. (my younger siblings) 5. Mo fe ri. (my older siblings) 6. Mo fe ri. (my wife) 7. Mo fe ri. (my friends) 8. Mo fe ri. (my boss) 9. Mo fe ri. (my house) 10. Mo fe ri. (my birthday s gift) 7
Exercise D: Expressing Insult Using the example provided, complete the identification (naming) of the addressee based on the descriptions of each individual being insulted. Example: Ole! O fe ji mi lowo! (rogue/thief) 1.! O fe pa mi! (murderer) 2.! O ko gbon rara! (stupid person) 3.! O fe ko ju awon to ku lo (greedy person) 4.! O ko ni eko rara! (someone lacking manners) 5.! O ko bikita rara! (indifferent person) 6.! O nse bi omo ita! (vagabond) 7.! O ko mo ju ija lo! (trouble maker) 8.! O ko ni itelorun rara! (lacking contentment) 9.! O ko mo ju ibinu lo! (quick to anger) 10.! O ko mo ju ofofo lo! (busy body / gossip) 8
Exercise E: Negation Using the verbs in parenthesis, complete the following phrases: Example: Kabiyesi ko gbodo ri e nihin. 1. Ojogbon ko gbodo. (hear) 2. Awon akeko won ko gbodo. (fight) 3. Ogbeni Arowolo ko gbodo. (die) 4. Wahala ko gbodo. (exist) 5. Ilu naa ko gbodo. (tear) 6. Ajo wa ko gbodo. (scatter) 7. Oluko wa ko gbodo. (get angry) 8. Awon oselu won ko gbodo. (tell lies) 9. ko gbodo wa. (put to shame) 10. Akoni eniyan ko gbodo. (fearful) 9
[ STEP #3 ] Homework Assignment After watching the entire movie on your own, assess, in two double-spaced pages, the role of social and political corruption on family values and ethics such as polygamy, bribery, and excessive self-enrichment? In your conclusion, be sure to allude to the moral of the movie since every narrative (visual or verbal) is meant to teach a lesson to the society as a whole. 10