WAEC Literature in English 2019 Theory — Question 15

Model answer

Points to develop: Statement of the central theme; The relationship between Santigi and Kindo; Seeds of separation/discord; The banishment of Kindo by Santigi supposedly to protect custom; Implication of the rift between father and son for the future of Mando Land. The Blood of a Stranger by Dele Charley condemns the European exploitation of Africa and how African leaders were complicit in the exploitation of their own people. The play addresses the themes of colonialist exploitation, greed, corruption and the consequence of these in the desecration of the venerated culture of Mando Land. Mando Land is a representation of African countries robbed by the imperialists. Mando people have been living in peace under the reign of King Santigi Mando V until the arrival of Whitehead whose greed and desire to rob the Mando people of their diamond and the complicity of Maligu and Soko lead to eventual bloodbath in the play. Kindo is the son of King Santigi; he is the heir apparent to the throne. Kindo is the Chief of the Warrior of Mando Land according to the custom and tradition. Kindo is educated although this is kept secret by his father. Father and son relationship exist as well as cordial relationship exist between him and his father until the arrival of Whitehead. With the arrival of Whitehead and his intrigues with Maligu and Soko, Kindo's relationship with Santigi becomes gradually strained. Whitehead comes to Mando Land on the pretext of establishing tobacco farm and a school but his aim is to exploit the diamonds which he dubs 'evil stones'. With the collusion of Whitehead, Maligu and Soko, the priest (Soko) falsely declares a virgin sacrifice. Kindo is averse to these intrigues having sensed the danger inherent in the arrival of Whitehead and hypocrisy in the services of Soko and Maligu. Santigi on the other hand falls for these intrigues. He welcomes Whitehead whose utter disregard to the custom invites punishment by Kindo. Santigi and Kindo become estranged on the account of Whitehead. The people of Mando Land take strange drink offered by Whitehead in place of their age-long mampama. Women offer themselves to men for sex and insanity becomes the order of the day. Santigi in his gullibility welcomes Whitehead to his palace, takes from the evil snuff offered by Whitehead and keeps the rest with one of his wives. Provoked by the desecration of custom by Whitehead, Kindo becomes deviant and in his deviance, he kills Parker and ironically kills Whitehead. With the killing of Whitehead, Maligu prevails on Santigi and compels him to invoke the law on Kindo, his son. Santigi commands the banishment of Kindo from Mando Land in protection of the custom. Kindo departs with his men and promises to come back to reclaim the throne on the death of Santigi. Kindo's banishment leaves us with the probability of Maligu becoming king after the death of Santigi and Mando Land may never regain the peace it has enjoyed before the arrival of Whitehead.