Author Joe Abah watches Elesin Oba, the king’s horseman, shares review

Nigerian Author and country director at the DAI Nigeria, Dr Joe Abah, recently watched the much acclaimed and loved Nigerian historical drama film directed by Biyi Bandele. 

Following the watching session, Dr Abah reached out to his social media account to share his views about the film. The Audience can watch the Film on the streaming platform Netflix. 

In the review he made publicly on Saturday, November 5, 2022, he declared that he had just watched the film and that it was brilliant. He had strong feelings about watching the movie. 

The questions he posed after watching the film, made it evident. His questions were related to the titular character. He asked, But why was Iya Oloja blaming Eleshin nau? At no point did he shirk his responsibilities.

Further, he also expressed his sympathies for another character in the film,. The character is a young girl who undergoes a lot of transformation throughout the film. She went from a virgin maiden and fiancée to a different man’s wife to a widow all in one night. 

I’ve just watched #eleshinoba. Brilliant! But why was Iya Oloja blaming Eleshin nau? At no point did he shirk his responsibilities. And the young girl – from virgin maiden and fiancée, to a different man’s wife, to widow…all in one night. Poor girl.

— Dr Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) November 5, 2022

Further, Joe Abah, The author of the acclaimed book, “Nigerians In Theory”, connected with her character and the plight she goes through in the 1 hour and 36 minutes of the film’s runtime, calling her “poor girl.” 

The Director, Biyi Bandele, created the film Eleshin Oba, based on a real-life incident. The incident took place in the colonial period in Oyo Town.

The real-life incident has been dramatized in the play by Wole Soyinka. The play was titled Death and the King’s Horseman. 

The film’s plot revolves around the death of a king in Oyo town. Reportedly, at the time, the rule of the community dictated that after the end of a king, his horseman must commit ritual suicide to aid his ruler in attaining peace. 

The film explores the story of Eleshin Oba, the local king’s horseman. After the ruler’s death, he has to commit ritual suicide, per the tradition of the community. The ritual is hindered by a British colonial-era officer starting a chain of devastating events in the community.