THE LOCAL & FLY

When Africans tell their stories in movies, it may seem a bit complicated to the outside world. Even this generation of Africans sometimes do not understand the strange practices of their ancestors, but we still manage to find lessons in a true African tale. The creators of these Nigerian movies did justice to African traditions and history.

‘Dooshima’

For ages, tribes in Nigeria have had a practice of rebelling against each other. Things usually go bad when young people from two tribes who are in the said situation fall in love. In ‘Dooshima’, we are seeing a typical example of this. The storyline offers a lot of twists and turns, and also shows how some tribes can have negative prejudices about other tribes.

To this day, many Africans still believe that marrying from their own tribe is safer, so the topic of the movie is still relevant. Dooshima is Yul Edochie’s directorial debut which he also stars in.

‘Amina’

The life of Queen Amina of Zaria deserves to be lauded. This is what a skilled filmmaker like Izu Ojukwu did when he brought this story to life in the 21st century. Amina was born in the 14th century to the legendary warrior Barkwa Turunku. The warrior princess was accosted with betrayal and pain and yet she was the most compassionate mother figure of the lowly. To the cunning and manipulative nobles who had eyes on the empire, she was a ruthless oppressor.

Strategically securing her walls and protecting her empire, she became a famous character with a reprimandable militia who helped her keep her people safe. Amina was a warrior and a chief military commander who also played the role of a sneaky politician. Her very feminine nature is susceptible to her desire to conquer.

Adding to the fact that she achieved her goals to build a better Zazzau today, she also became a historical personality. Walls and forts built under her reign still stand today. ‘Xena the Warrior Princess’ is an international character created to imitate Amina.

‘Esohe’

Esohe is a traditional Nigerian movie outlining some of the many ways that love and loyalty were practiced in Africa. Ifagbai and Esosa have reincarnated as Gary and Esohe. They both appear to have an instant connection and a past together that they have no details of.

The result of being a reincarnated soul brings about horrific nightmares, strange episodes and disturbing images of the past for Gary Barbar in the movie. This becomes the center around which his life pivots and he hopes to find answers. Reality is even more than he imagined when Gary arrives in his hometown for answers.

‘Iyore’

The ancient Bini kingdom had some repulsive practices and the Oba was a domineering dictator. In this kingdom, two lovers Osarugue (Rita Dominic) and Prince Azuwa (Joseph Benjamin) are dared of the passion they have for each other.

Their love story is seen to have been re-occurring for over two generations and waxed in each of those. The interwoven tone of the story is its gore. Tradition and epic practices which include adorning the burial ceremony of the Oba with the sacrifice of three young virgins also makes it tastier.

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