AFRICAN DRAMA
Dele Charley: The Blood of a Stranger
Examine the role of Kindo as a warlord in the play.
Explanation
As the Chief of the Warriors of Mado Land, Kindo’s life is ruled by one great passion: it is steadfast commitment toguarantee and safeguard the security and cultural integrity of the Mandos.
Kindo, who is heir apparent to the throne of Mando Kingdom, is under no illusion about his sacred duty and sterling responsibilities as a warlord. These are well-known to the people of Mando Land, Including Soko, the priest, and Maligu, the King’s Chief Advisor, both of whom are Kindo’s sworn enemies. For instance, he tells Wara, his fiancee, that as a warrior, he does not beat women, he does not venture into the bush without his “jonga” or hunting knife and that “the enemy warrior who would kill Kindo has not been born yet”. Maligu who like Soko, views Kindo’s guts and grit with awe, warns the latter not to touch Wara for “Kindo is fire and he will burn you if you touch Wara”.
On another occasion Maligu also warns Soko: “Kindo will refuse to let us admit the stranger” who is coming as a wolf in sheep’s clothing to deprive the unsuspecting Mandos of their rich diamond deposits.
Kindo’s consciousness about his duty to the people of Mando Land drives his conduct. He passionately care about their welfare and places their security and safety over and above his deep-seated love for Wara. Accordingly, he tells her without mincing words, “My destiny seems not to care about Kindo-who-is Wara’s-man, but Kindo-the-chief-of-the Warriors”. Thus, Maligu reminds Soko that Kindo does not allow his love for Wara to interfere with the security of the people. And this is why Kindo, against all odds, is implacably opposed to the coming of Whitehead into their land which he perceives as an ill omen. Although Kindo as a clear-headed general prefers peace to war, being fully aware of its dire consequences, he remains an iconic warlord by boldly defending their cultural values when Whitehead and Parker come to dishonour them. He drills the two and compels them to pay due respect to the King and their tradition when they appear before him.
Kindo’s warlord role is not only crucial in safeguarding the present, it also secures the future of Mando Kingdom. Unlike his gullible and rather complacent father, Kindo is highly intelligent. He is able to detect and frustrate the shady deal of Maligu, Soko and Whitehead to mortgage the future of Mando Land by heartlessly converting the people’s precious diamond deposits under the guise of cultivating a tobacco plantation.
Points to note;
(a) Kindo as heir apparent to the throne of Mando Land.
b) Kindo as Chief of the Warriors with a passion to safeguard and to defend the cultural integrity of Mando Land.
(c) His opposition to Whitehead and his accomplices.
(d) Kindo as foil to Madigu and Soko.
(e) His regarding his role as chief warrior above his love relationship, demonstrating his commitment to the state, which in the sustains the state.
(f) Even in exile Kindo’s influence felt as defender of his people’s culture.