Title: Asabi Alakara
Poet: Akeem Lasisi
Timing: 7:42 minutes
Directed by: Sanjo Adegoke
Reviewer: Olutayo Irantiola
Campaigns against sexual harassment, rape and other feminine associated vices are raving issues of the moment .In order
to add a creative twist to the campaign, Akeem Lasisi, the award winning poet
who fuses both Yoruba and English languages into all his performances, has come
up with an ethno-poetic-musicology tagged “Asabi Alakara”.
Masculine gimmicks were demystified
in this new piece. As characteristics of Lasisi, the poem is a fusion of dance,
music and verses that has made him evolve another mode of poetry that is
distinct from those of Lanrewaju Adepoju, Olatunbosun Oladapo and Ogundare
Foyanmu genre as he instructs in danceable tunes.
Some of the cultural elements in
the video include the playing of ayo
olopon, the game typically played by men to relax; bata drums; the traditional kitchen which symbolises where the good
delicacies are prepared and also pretty ladies plaiting their hair to bring out
their beauty.
The various ladies depicted to be
at risk of sexual harassment in a very subtle manner are hawkers, students,
female members of a religious congregation while the baits include money; examination grades cum extra
tutorial classes and special anointing. These objects have driven many people
in perdition. However, the list is not exhaustive but it instructs everyone adequately.
The Yorubas are known for
speaking in parables because it is unfolded by the wise and this was evident in
the video. Animals used to carry the import of the narration are the Tortoise
which is always associated with corny spells; the hawk which preys on the
chicken; the squirrel that escapes from the pellets of the hunter. The poetry
is full of post-proverbial sayings making it the poems full of contemporary
vibes.
Kudos to team that made it
happen, the Director, Sanjo Adegoke; the folklorist, Edaoto Agbeniyi, Ropo Ewenla and others
for putting together a nice performance that the Yorubas can gladly call theirs
and to the songbird, Akeem Lasisi, may your wisdom not wane.
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