The Plot Summary

The play opens in the sacred grove of Shey Ngong, the spiritual leader of the Fondom of Ewawa. He is performing a ritual when he learns that the people are gathering at the palace for Kibanya’s red-feather ceremony. The ceremony should traditionally be an important occasion. However, the Fon has compromised the significance of the red feather by awarding it to the highest bidder rather than necessarily to someone deserving of the honor. This immediately establishes one of the central problems of the play. Shey Ngong is deeply dissatisfied with the Fon’s conduct and blatantly refuses to participate in what he regards as the abuse and degradation of traditional values, despite warnings that the Fon will not take his absence lightly. As the action develops, the conflict between Shey Ngong and the Fon continues to heighten. The common people eventually get tired of the lies and oppression and begin to question the Fon’s authority. The action then shifts to a moment of confrontation, awakening and revival, with the villagers rising to reclaim their dignity. The Fon’s mask of corruption falls off revealing the emptiness of his rule. The land regains its justice and palm-wine flows again. This time, celebrating pure joy, freedom and truth.