opening sequence
loud screams of a grieving woman pierces the silent night. a man dressed in smock is seen holding a staff and behind him are two strong men who later will be revealed as guards. two other guards pull a woman out to the ground from a hut and another throws a sack and clothes on the ground. a man later revealed as NYANTAKYI goes to help her up. a boy later revealed as KUMI picks the sack up.
okomfo
The wraths of the gods are upon you. You are burnished from the land. Go to the outskirt of the land, it is there you belong.
the guards follow them as the priest sings out ancient songs making signs of cleansing by pointing to the skies and the earth. the woman keeps on wailing.
fade out
fade in
EXT. dawn KYEREKROM
An unusual silent morning with no sign of life. fog covers the face of the village. ZOOM IN to a goat lying dead on the ground, PANS LEFT to reveal a dead fowl, TRACKS to reveal dead domestic animals. ZOOM OUT to reveal to see people coming out of their homes screaming and in a shamble.
EXT. dawn oduro's compound
a young man in his mid 20's comes out from a hut holding a calabash in his hand. he stretches and pours some of the water on the ground. he moves towards a tree to wash his face. he hears distant screaming
oduro
what a day.
(he moves towards his pen to feed his animals and sees them dead. he runs to his room to pick a cutlass and swears to avenge)
EXT. morning kyerekrom palace forecourt
a group of angry villagers holding all manner of weapons stand in front of the palace chanting war songs. a yound man who is the youth leader insights them. the king and elders come out from the palace heavily guarded. they stand before the people looking perturbed. after few seconds, one of the elders step foward to address the people.
bediako
Greetings people of Kyerekrom.
villager 1
What use is a greeting to a dying community?
(the elders look surprised at the response from the villagers)
nana agyemang
Allow them to speak.
VILLAGER 1
We woke up to find our animals dead. Who could have visited us in the night without the whole community knowing?
VILLAGER 2
Every animal in the land is killed and not even the tiniest was spared.
VILLAGER 3
Could we have been so asleep not to hear the footsteps of the perpetrators?
VILLAGER 4
when we have a King and elders who only know how to greet, what do we expect?
(the elders look at the faces of each other shocked of the insolence)
VILLAGER 1
The gods speak to them that listen, don’t we have a listener?
(the women begin murmuring. Nana Agyemang steps forward to talk to the people)
NANA AGYEMANG
agoo!
(the place is still in a shamble)
agya asare
People of Kyerekrom, you have had your say, pray, please let your King speak!
(everybody keeps quiet and looks at the king)
NANA AGYEMANG
People of Kyerekrom, you have a cause to be troubled, for if you sleep with your wife and wake up not to find her by your side, you call the elders, so you have a cause. But you do me great wrong. Has the god of rain been so angry to wipe his tears from an n eye and leave the other? Has the god of the sun blacken his face to me only to scorch on you? No! So you do me great wrong. The animals in place too die my goats, sheep, fowls, dogs and even my cats.
VILLAGERs
sorry your highness...
NANA AGYEMANG
No! keep your sorry. My elders and I will sit to know of what to do.
VILLAGER 1
This could be the doing of the gods, why not sacrifice to the gods?
NANA AGYEMANG
Like I said, my elders and I will sit so go to your homes and clean up; the gods would tell us of what to do.
(the angry mob disperse and desert the palace leaving the king and his elders looking stunned.)
EXT. day riverside
young girls and boys are seen at the riverside. the young women wash their clothes, some fetch water to the village whiles some are seen playing in the river. ZOOM IN to two young girls washing together.
ama
Strangest of all calamities is what has happened today.
afia
You can say that again my sister. I wonder what the oracles are going to read into it?
AMA
If not they want blood, then they want flesh…
(another girl joins them from fetching water from the stream)
yaa
I believe the King and his elders know something about this.
AMA
Eh! Where from this too
(ama picks her pot and goes aside, afia follows ama leaving yaa stunned)
YAA
What did I say wrong?
EXT. DAY river path
ama and afia carry their pots of water on their head and their clothes tied behind them as they lazily walk.
AMA
less I forget, I would not come to the farm today.
AFIA
Why such a decision?
(ama stops to address afia)
AMA
I have to help my mother clean the farm house. The death of the animals is still a shock to her.
AFIA
Poor woman. Couldn’t the gods have spared her of her animals? How could they have killed every animal in the land?
AMA
There is nothing we can do now. Hurry lets go.
(they hurry off. a woman differently dressed comes out of the bush. she looks scared and worried. she runs of teh opposite direction)
EXT. day nyantakyi's compound
a man is lying lazily in a chair chewing stick. PAN RIGHT to see a woman running towards him, he runs to his room to pick a cutlass and starts looking for pursuers. the woman sits on the ground panting heavily.
nyantakyi
what is it? Who is chasing you?
maame akua
I was at the riverside…
NYANTAKYI
I have warned you several times not to go…
MAAME AKUA
Not that. No one saw me.
NYANTAKYI
So what is it then?
MAAME AKUA
I heard some girls saying, the animals in the village are all dead.
NYANTAKYI
What!
MAAME AKUA
Yes! The gods have killed every animal in the land.
NYANTAKYI
The gods have…
(he runs to the back of the house. maame akua follows him to the back of the house, a young boy comes out of the hut confused. they come back from the back crying.)
ext evening bediako's compound
a hand is seen picking beans from a trail. a woman is later revealed happily cooking a supper. she leans forwrd to check the content in a pot on fire. a boy comes from behind the compound and walks towards the woman cooking.
maame abena
what were you doing behind the compound?
opoku
Nothing really, just thinking about the village.
MAAME ABENA
(giggles)
thinking? Since when did you begin thinking the troubles of this land, I presume you are eying your father’s position?
opoku
nothing of the sort. I am only wondering why the King and elders seem not to know what is happening. I am beginning to believe the king and his elders are hiding something from us.
maame abena
Shut up! Don’t let your father ever hear you say such a thing. Would your father not have told us by now?
OPOKU
That is the more reason why I am…
MAAME ABENA
Shut up! Leave to your room now. I said leave, before you find trouble for us.
(Opoku gets heistantly and leaves to the room)
Look at him. Do you think it is easy being a leader? You are in the line, you would get there one day and you would understand.
EXT EVening riverside
oduro is seen at the riverside with his hook and line in hand fishing. he seems cheerful. he feels his hook has caught a fish and begins to pull. the colour of the stream changes from white to red. oduro runs off to the village
ext evening nyantakyi's compound
the evening is relatively quiet. two people are seen in silhouette facing the town. the sound of the waving leaves and trunks of the trees is what they gaze at
NYANTAKYI
My son, you must understand that the back of the tortoise is hard but cant still not be like that of a crocodile. The gods of the land are wise.
kumi
Papa, what I fail to understand is why our animals too died when we are not part of the villagers?
NYANTAKYI
That is for the gods to answer but for now, the clouds are heavy but it is not to rain.
KUMI
how do you mean papa?
NYANTAKYI
The gods are saying something I don’t get. Go to sleep for tomorrow, there is plenty to do
(Kumi looks confused but reluctant to ask further questions. he gets up to to the house. he passes by his mothr standing at the entrance to their hut.)
MAAME AKUA
my lord, please come to bed.
(nyantakyi turns and sees the wife, he smiles and goes to join her)
ext day kyerekrom
the shadow of an animal is seen appearing fromt he bushes. it later appears to be a goat. the silence of the dawn is broken by wailings from one compound then from another and another until there is wailing from aevery compound. people run from their compounds screaming. two yung men carry a dead woman from a room to the compound. another man carries his wife from the room. a woman screams from her hut wailing over the lost of her husband. some people run to the bush to ease themselves, some come out vomitting.the whole village is in a shamble.
ext day front of palace
a group of angry looking villagers are seen singing war songs. some sit on the ground vomitting. a woman who is not mentally sane is seen nursing her dead son. the king and his elders walk out from the palace mournfully.
youth leader
Chooboi!
VILLAGERS
Boi!
YOUTH LEADER
Chooboi!
VILLAGERS
Boi!
(the whole place goes dead silent)
NANA AGYEMANG
My people, you are welcome
VILLAGER 2
You still welcome us, a dying community?
VILLAGER 4
It was our animals and all we received was a welcome. Now our families and you still welcome us.
VILLAGER 3
The eyes of the blind is only there for him to think himself complete, but the truth is he is not.
VILLAGER 1
When men in a land ran from battle field, how can they say to the women, run to the battlefield?
NANA AGYEMANG
My people…
(the villagers are still murmuring)
YOUTH LEADER
Chooboi!
VILLAGERS
Boi!
YOUTH LEADER
Please it is only fair you listen to the King. The deaf and dumb can also speak for themselves.
NANA AGYEMANG
My people, tears that are in my eyes are not stored for you. You speak as though my elders and I have done you so much wrong, but no. we availed ourselves to your service.
(he calls out the guards from behind him)
Bring out my daughter, the Princess.
guard 1
your highness
NANA AGYEMANG
I said bring my daughter!
guard 1 &2
Yes your highness
(they run off)
NANA AGYEMANG
(May it not be that my home is set free from the visit of the calamity…
(the guards bring the princess on a stretch and lay her before the king. she ahd a half rotten face, the villagers look terrifed)
That is the royal Princess, Achia. This is what she has become. So do you think I stored up tears for you?)
VILLAGER 1
Why not sacrifice to the gods?
NANA AGYEMANG
We are meeting the Okomfo in my palace for him to tell us of what to do so go to your homes and wait.
VILLAGER 3
To our homes is death, we rather all wait for the priest here and die than go home to die.
AGYA ASARE
Kyerekrom mba, go to your homes…
VILLAGERS
no!
NANA AGYEMANG
In that case, go to the village square and wait there. I would send for the priest to be there. So go.
(villagers turn to the village square)
maame ataa
(holding her dead son)
how could they have taking you also from me. I will sit here till you come back to me.
(nana agyemang orders his guards to take the princess in and sees maame ataa with her dead son. he sgnals the guards to take the child and go burry him)
ext day kyerekrom
people carry stretches wiht dead bodies on them.they burry the dead and whiles others come from the cemetary.
ext day nyantakyi's compound
kumi is seen weeding the environs of their home. he stands to stretch and the father comes from behind him looking curios.
NYANTAKYI
Kumi, why this wailing from the village?
KUMI
Papa, I don’t know.
NYANTAKYI
And where is your mother?
KUMI
She is in the kitchen preparing meal.
NYANTAKYI
I will be inside, let me know when the meal is done.
ext day village path
opoku and oduro walking by the countryside. other villagers walk pass them hastily to the village square whiles they walk lazilly.
ODURO
Such a calamity has never been heard in our land.
OPOKU
You talk of our land, such has never happened in any land. The gods might be…
ODURO
Better not say it yet. Let the priest speak for himself.
(they walk away hastilly)
ext day ama's compound
Afia stands impatiently before Ama's house. the whole place looks deserted. Afia paces around anxiously waiting for Ama. she hears a voice from behind her
yaa
are you not leaving for the village square?, are you not leaving for the village square?
AFIA
(panicking)
I am waiting for Ama.
(ama comes out and sees afia)
AMA
and what is she doing here?
AFIA
Please it is not time for arguing. Let’s leave.
(they walk off)
ext day village square
the villagers gather at the village square under the big tree. the men are arguing, the women are gossiping. some people sit on the ground in pain.
ext day path to village square
the king is seen in a parlanquin and looking distressed. the elders walk behind the king. tghey walk pass villagers going to burry their dead and some coming from the cemetary.
EXT DAY VILLAGE SQUARE
the villagers are still wailing. the guards put the king down. he looks at the faces of the villagers and then moves to his stool. the okomfo comes from the bush singing in ancient words. he stands before the king in a distance
NANA AGYEMANG
You are welcome Nana Okomfo.
OKOMFO
(chanting in ancient languages)
Nana! My ears can not hear that which is said.
NANA AGYEMANG
what do you mean Okomfo?
OKOMFO
The gods are talking even though their lips are shut.
NANA AGYEMANG
(growing impatient)
What exactly is going on?
OKOMFO
The bird seems flying yet the wings…
NANA AGYEMANG
Enough of the parables. Look at the people, they are dying. Their ears are soar and can’t hear a thing. Tell us exactly what is wrong.
OKOMFO
(looking perturbed)
the land is cursed!
NANA AGYEMANG
What!
(the villagers look stunned)
OKOMFO
Yes! The land is cursed and must be cleansed.
NANA AGYEMANG
Cursed! By who and what?
OKOMFO
That,the gods refuse to say.
NANA AGYEMANG
Why?
OKOMFO
I don’t know. The land must be purified in order to save the living. We are not safe.
NANA AGYEMANG
If it is only a sacrifice, then why wait for people to die?
OKOMFO
Not just a sacrifice. The sword of the oracle must be fetched!
(the villagers all move back)
BEDIAKO
Nana Okomfo, you know no one goes into the sacred forest and comes back alive.
okyere
How can the gods suggest such a mission?
AGYA ASARE
Who is to fetch the sword?
OKOMFO
someone can go fetch it.
NANA AGYEMANG
who?
OKOMFO
The oracle says, a young virgin boy in the land can go. A particular boy ordained to do so.
prempeh
Who, Nana Okomfo?
OKOMFO
Search for him. And remember, we don’t have time.
(he chants and walks away into the bush. the entire villagers look stunned. nana agyemang refuses to sit in his parlanquin and his elders move with him to the palace)
INT. day palace
two strong guards stand in front oe palazf the palace. voices of the elders are heard from inside. the king looks lost in the meeting
BEDIAKO
This is not going to be easy. Where do we go searching from?
OKYERE
Who do we call first?
AGYA ASARE
How do we know who is a virgin and who is not?
PREMPEH
Yes! The people continue dying.
NANA AGYEMANG
Summon all the young virgins to the shrine tomorrow. Let the gods choose themselves, and of ytell them the one chosen would marry my daughter and inherit a portion of my kingdom.
(the elders agree with the king's proposition)
ext evening farm path
the feet of two young ladies is seen. later revealed to be that of Ama and Yaa carrying firewood from the farm.
ama
I must hurry home and help Maame prepare dinner.
YAA
That is true, but Ama, who do you think would be chosen by the oracles to go into the sacred forest?
AMA
How am I suppose to know?
YAA
With the offering of the King, if I were a boy, I would have loved to go into the forest.
ama
Look at you. You would die one day.
YAA
Everyone is dying one way or the other
AMA
Let me leave before you carry me t my grave.
(she walks off leaving Yaa gazing at her)
YAA
Don’t be ridiculous. Wait for me
(she follows after her chuckling)
ext evening an open thick
a green leaf is dangling froma a tree and then settles on the forehead of Opuku who has his eyes closed. Afia caresses the face of Opoku. she picks a banana from beside her and peels it. Opoku's hand is buried in the sand. Afia feeds him with the banana. he tickles her and she tickles him back. the wind in the thick is blowing gently and the leaves fall from the tree. they fall on the them whiles Afia pours palmwine for Opoku to drink. the palm wine pours on his chest.
AFIA
Opoku!
OPOKU
odo!
AFIA
What do you think of what the King said?
OPOKU
What are you talking about?
AFIA
Concerning the journey to the sacred forest. You know you are a virgin and a royal, the oracles might pick you.
OPOKU
(getting hysterical)
Do you think I want to die such a death?
AFIA
Then why not break your virginity now. In that case you would not be chosen.
OPOKU
Have you gone mad. Suggest such a thing again, and you would not like me.
(he gets up and the palm wine pours onto the ground from the calabash. Afia gets up and looks at him go)
AFIA
I was suggesting the good for us.
ext day bediako's compound
a sceptre in Bediako's hand appears and then Bediako comes out and thens looks around the compound. he realises his son is still not out.
BEDIAKO
Opoku! Opoku!
OPOKU
yes paapa.
BEDIAKO
(Opoku comes out of the room looking tired)
I am on my way to the palace, hurry and make it to the shrine, the gods might choose you.
opoku
Paapa, I am not interested in the mission.
BEDIAKO
Don’t be stupid. You stand the chance of marrying the Princess and becoming the next King.
OPOKU
Paapa, I don’t want to and die in the evil forest besides I am not a virgin.
BEDIAKO
Bediako:
Foolish son, would you leave now before I lose my temper…
(Maame Abena comes out from her hut looking confused)
MAAME ABENA
what is the shouting all about?
OPOKU
Maame, father is compelling me to go and die in the evil forest.
MAAME ABENA
What!
BEDIAKO
Woman, you better convince your son. He better grab those opportunity or else would seize to be my son.
MAAME ABENA
Where from this? My son would not be sacrificed. He better stay here and die.
BEDIAKO
man, don’t try my temper.
OPOKU
Maame, tell him am not a virgin.
MAAME ABENA
My son is not a virgin.
BEDIAKO
What! Continue the same way with your son and you would throw away all your fortunes one day.
(He walks out angrily whiles Maame Abena turns to the son who is about to enter into the hut)
MAAME ABENA
hey! Come here. Are you a virgin?
OPOKU
Yes Maame, I just don’t want to go to the forest.
MAAME ABENA
You are going nowhere. You want my son to be used as a sacrifice. We would all stay here and die for all to see our corpse than go die in the evil forest.
EXT DAY PATH TO VILLAGE SQUARE
Yaa appears to be lonely.she beats the bushes with a stick in hand. she raises her eyes and then looks stunned. PAN with her eye to see Oduro walking briskly.
yaa
Oduro!
(Oduro turns and sees Yaa. he gets back to her in haste)
ODURO
Oh Yaa, I am so late. I must be at the shrine.
(he walks away leaving Yaa lip dripping)
yaa
Only the gods know what they seek from us
(She gets conused as to whether she should follow Oduro or go back. she eventually settles on going on with her initial walk.)
ext day front of shine
young boys numbering up to 20 are seen in front of the shrine. they all have different feel to the calling. some look anxious and wanting to be on the mission. two boys argue out who would be chosen, Oduro looks at them pathetically. Nana Agyemang and his elders come in to see the virgins and looks saddened at the number of virgins.
NANA AGYEMANG
So these are the only virgins I have in my land. Indeed the land is cursed.
(Bediako looks embarassed becuase his son is not part of the few privileged. the Priest's attendant comes out of the shrine to usher the boys in. they come out one after the other the same way the go in. some look happy whiles others are dissappointed. the Priest comes out from the shrine not too happy)
OKOMFO
none is worthy to embark on the journey.
NANA AGYEMANG
Is it not the same gods that said a virgin in the land?
OKOMFO
Nana, the gods never speak in vacuum. There is a pure virgin boy in the land that is destined to accomplish the journey. Find him now, Nana, now. You have to search beyond your reach.
(the priest enters the shrine and the king and his elders walk out from the shrine)
INT. DAY PALACE
nana agyemang sits tensed on his stool. beside him are two strong guards. behind the King is a tiger symbol. flanking the King is his elders who look distressed.
NANA AGYEMANG
A pure virgin boy beyond my reach, who could it possibly be? who is keeping him? Whose son is he? Find him and bring him to me.
BEDIAKO
Nana, how do we know who it is?
(The elders affirm to Bediako's desposition)
NANA AGYEMANG
There must be a way out.
AGYA ASARE
Nana, to throw pebbles on still water is nothing more of fun.
(the elders seem to not understand him)
Nana, no one has thought of…
NANA AGYEMANG
Thought of whom? Speak up; I beseech you to do so now.
AGYA ASARE
Kumi.
OKYERE prempeh botwe
what! abomination! Musuo!
AGYA ASARE
Nana; If all the virgins were not chosen and there still one beyond your reach, it could be no one than Kumi.
BEDIAKO
He is burnished and unclean
AGYA ASARE
Let the oracle decide
PREMPEH
Such an insult to the oracle…
NANA AGYEMANG
Let the oracles decide. Fetch Kumi!
ext day princess' palace
a clean silent palaca with maidens standing before the palace of the princess. some maidens go in and out of the hut with rags and calabash of water. the queen mother walks in and enters the shrine. her two strong guards stand at the entance facing each other.
princess
(she raises her head up in pain and looks at the mother)
Maame, have they found the virgin boy?
queen
The elders are searching.
(the maidens fan her to drive away the flies. the queen sobs and prays to the gods)
EXT DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND
agya asare and three strong guards walk into nyantakyi's dead compound. a portion of the building seem to be delapidated. nyantakyi comes out of his hut looking terrified upon seeing the elder and the royal guards, he stands at the entrance to his hut afraid.
AGYA ASARE
We come in peace Nyantakyi so you have nothing to fear. We are sent by the King, Nana Agyemang.
NYANTAKYI
To what do we owe this visit? If we are not to live here, tell us peacefully and we would leave but harm us not for we are feeble.
(Kumi comes out from his hut poised for war)
AGYA ASARE
The king wants Kumi in his palace.
NYANTAKYI
what for?
(Maame Akua comes out from behind her husband furiously)
MAAME AKUA
I knew it, they want to sacrifice my son to the oracles. I knew it…
AGYA ASARE
It is none of such but you must be at the palace.
KUMI
Why am I to go with you, for what offence?
(guard 2 moves towards Kumi who is still furious)
MAAME AKUA
Leave my son alone. He is done nothing wrong…
(guard 3 moves towards her and restrains her, Kumi makes a move to go help her but he is also held by guard 2. nyantakyi calmly moves to his sona dn places his hand on his shoulder)
NYANTAKYI
My son, go with them. The gods would protect you.
(Maame Akua sinks to the ground and begins to lament. the guards escort Kumi calmly to the palaca following Agya Asare. nyantakyi looks into the sky and tears strip down his eyes)
INT. DAY PALACE
BIG CLOSE UP of Kumi's fasce showing unrest, ZOOMS OUT to reveal agya asare and then the elders with the King on his stool. the king is flanked by his two most loyal guards and next to him is the queen.
NANA AGYEMANG
Kumi, there is no grudge caused unless for a reason. We ask of you to go the shrine. Maybe you are the one the oracles have chosen.
KUMI
my family is cursed, I am cursed. I am not to be among the villagers, why must I be the one the gods want?
NANA AGYEMANG
None that we can say but I want you to come see something.
(he points to the entrance to the princess' chamber and ushers Kumi to go with him. kumi scans the faces of the elders and then settles on the queen who looks devastated, he then follows the king into the chamber.)
INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER
Kumi stands scared as he looks on straight. the voice of the king is what feels the atmosphere. he stares on without blinking an eye.
NANA AGYEMANG
she carries the curse of the land. Until the land is cleansed, she would keep rotten but would not die.
(Kumi goes down to look closely at the princess who is rotten by half of the body and looks wondering)
Her life is in your hands.
KUMI
And how sure are you that the gods want me?
NANA AGYEMANG
Let the gods decide.
ext day stream
from a distance, two people are sitting on the bank of the stream with no one there with them. they face the stream which is flowing calmly.
AFIA
Could the gods be so sarcastic?
(Opoku looks at her amuzingly)
I thought they said Kumi is cursed. Why is he been called into this calamity?
OPOKU
For all you know, he might be used as a sacrifice for the land.
AFIA
That is if the gods choose him.
OPOKU
i mean, why would the gods send a curse person into the evil forest to go fetch the sacred sword, a sword held only by the royals of Kyerekrom, to come and clean the curse from the land.
(they both look lost in thought)
EXT DAY FRONT OF SHINE
villagers gather before the shrine. the dyingin the land has hit them so hard they look emanciated. the priest attendant comes out of his shrine and goes to the King and then moves to the Kumi without saying word, signals for him to enter the shrine. kumi looks around and realises the parents are not there, sighs saddily and then moves into the shrine.
INT. day shrine
the priest sings in ancient language whiles he recites some enchantments. he faces the oracle and feels the presence of some one in the shrine. he turns to see the face of a young boy who is later revealed as Kwesi Nyame. the priest looks dump for a second and then bows to the young boy who later changes to Kumi. the priest ushers Kumi out of the palce before him.
EXT DAY FRONT OF SHINE
priest stands before Kumi and then bows to him, the entire villagers look confused. the King looks at the priest in wanting to say a word but the lips too heavy to open. the priest sings in ancient tongue.
OKOMFO
the gods are right. He is the one!
(the entire villagers look stunned. Kumi looks at the faces of the people and feels the insecurity and threat in their eyes. Opoku looks at Afia and they their hands tight.)
EXT DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND
nyantakyi holds the wife close to his bossom as the wife sobs. with the stick he holds in hand,, he hits the ground with it several times and then turns to the wife.
NYANTAKYI
the gods of our fathers would not forgive them if they hurt Kumi
(they walk off to the village)
EXT DAY FRONT OF SHINE
okomfo pours libation with a green leaf in his mouth. every one looks one scarefully. agya asare, prempeh and botwe seem supportive with teh exception of Bediako who looks unapproved.
INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER
the royal maidens fan the princess. the distant sound from the village square reaches to them. she stretches her had to touch her favourite maiden who sits besides her.
PRINCESS
Ansa… fetch me my golden pot.
(ansa picks the pot next to her and places it before the princess)
In it is a band of cowries, go give it to Kumi and tell him it would protect him.
(she takes the band from it, bows to the princess and runs off the village square)
ext. day front of shrine
the okomfo dresses Kumi in a talisman and gives him a sack of bag.kumi catches eye with the family. kumi catches eye with the parent. the king sees the tears in the eyes of maame akua.
nana agyemang
My son, the future of the land is in your hands. The gods chose you over all, they know why…
(Maame akua cries biterly)
I would ensure the safety of your parents. Remember, the Princess’ life depends on you…
(ansa runs through the crowd and makes way to the presence of the king)
what is it?
ansa
(she pants profusely)
Sorry your highness, but the Princess…
NANA AGYEMANG
the Princess what?
QUEEN
What has happened to the Princess?
ansa
(sensing the fear she might have caused speaks boldly)
the Princess sent me to Kumi.
(she walks to Kumi )
she said I should give this to you. Wear it and it would protect you.
(kumi takes the band from ansa cautiously and wears it, he walks to the father and bows before him)
NYANTAKYI
My son, there lies a big river ahead of you. Crossing it is not for you but you would cross it.
(kumi gets up and stands before the mother)
kumi
Maame, your tears are the reason for my going. The gods would protect you and bring me back to you.
(he turns to the priest. the priest takes the lead towards the stream. the king and his elders follow him)
ext day riverbank
ancient word are heard. the priest then is seen pouring libation into the river. the entire villagers stand afar and watch the priest and Kumi by the riverbank.
OKOMFO
the gods of Kyerekrom! Nananom! Nsamafoo! Asaasa Yaa! Ehuntanhunu! Nsuobena! Guard your son; guard your son; see him through this journey. Moatea; lay the path for him…
(kumi steps into the river and starts his journey. he crosses the river and waves the people. he turns to the sacred forest and walks into it.)
ext evening forest
kumi walks though the quiet forest. he looks afraid as he passes by some trees. he picks a jar of water from his bag and begins to drink. he sees before him, three beautiful naked girls playing ampe. he curiously moves towards them but they vanish as he gets close to them. he takes to his heels.
ext. day forest
two strong men with spears in hand pursues Kumi through the forest. he runs as far as his legs can take him but the men catches up with him faster. he trips and falls, the men stand before him with their spears. they move to pierce him with the spears.
ext. day nyantakyi's compound
maame akua wakes up suddenly from a dream in front of her hut. nyantakyi runs from the backyard and squats beside her.
nyantakyi
what is it?
maame akua
Kumi my son; I saw him in my dream, they want to kill him. They have killed my son…
(he places her head on his chest and caresses her face, she continously sobs)
ext. day village square
okomfo's hand writes some ancient words on the ground. the villagers look on not knowing what he writes. it is been three days since Kumi left.
NANA AGYEMANG
where is the boy?
OKOMFO
He will bring the sword.
(the villagers look dissatisfied with teh response from the priest but no one dares to say a word)
EXT EVENING FOREST
kumi is sleeping under a tree. he looks tired, a spirit of the forest appears before him ready to devour his flesh. he opens his eyes and panicks, he crawls backwards and then picks a charm from his bag, he shows it to the spirit and it dissappears. he lies face up panting.
ext day forest
kumi stands before a crossroad, he gets confuse as to where to pass. he sees a woman who is half naked coming from one direction. he stares at her pass him by.
kumi
What is there to find? I have walked for more than two weeks and still have found nothing. I don’t even know if I am on the right path and now i see strange things. how sacred is the forest.
(the woman stops and looks at Kumi who looks stunned)
I am heading to the oracle of Kyerekrom to fetch the sacred sword. I have lost my way. Please which way should I go?
(the woman points to the direction she came from and she leaves him)
May the oracles bless you.
(he moves towards the direction he is shown and stops to cogitate)
she came from there. And heading that way. I came from behind. She can’t be from the oracle nor go to the oracle. The path is before me. Thank you Ehuntahunu.
(he moves ahead following his instincts)
EXT. DAY KYEREKROM
some of the villagers go to the cemetary with the dead to burry whiles some come from the cemetary afer burrying their dead. some vomit and some run into the bush to ease themselves.
EXT DAY PRINCESS' PALACE
the queen sits before the princess who is rottening hastely. her lower lips is rotten.
EXT. DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND
maame akua picks beans before a cooking pot on fire. she sobs as she pick her beans. nyantakyi stands behind her feeling guilty for the son's demise.
ext. day farm
oduro and opoku clears their farm. the seem to have cleared a sizeable portion. opoku stops and looks to be in wonderland. oduro realises it and stops too.
ODURO
what could be eating you up my friend?
OPOKU
I just can’t think of what has happened to Kumi.
ODURO
The most intriguing thing is, he is gone for over two weeks and yet nothing is heard.
OPOKU
I won’t be surprised if he dead and the priest is fearing to say so.
ODURO
How I had wanted to embark on this journey.
OPOKU
You would have been a sacrifice by now.
ODURO
Nananom mpegu!
(thegy continue with their weeding.)
EXT. DAY FOREST
kumi looks tired and devastated. he looks around him and sees no life. he moves on and hears someone crying behind him, he turns and sees the person to be no ne but Yaa.
yaa
Kumi, wait for me.
kumi
who are you?
YAA
it is me Yaa, from Kyerekrom.
KUMI
What are you doing here? No one is to come into the forest?
YAA
Your… you mother is…dead!
KUMI
what!
yaa
The whole village is dead. I ran here to inform you. Let go back for there is nothing to die for here.
(kumi drops the bad given by the priest, Yaa moves towards him and holds him, the band given Kumi by the princess burns yaa and she turns into a monkey and then dissappears. kumi picks his bag up and runs off)
EXT DAY FOREST
kumi runs for dear life and bumps into a tree. he sits on the root, the tree groans and begins to speak to him.
tree
who is that!
kumi
Spirit of the forest, please I mean no harm. I am sent from Kyerekrom to get the sword of the oracle. My village dies so please let me pass.
(the tree goes to sleep again, kumi picks his bag up and tiptoes off. he runs off)
INT. DAY PALACE
a rotten leg is seen with flies hovering around it. the leg is later revealed to be tha of the king's. he sits on his throne with so much pain registered on his face. the elders confer with each other.
BEDIAKO
Nana, this is getting out of hand.
OKYERE
Something must be done fast.
AGYA ASARE
What sort of thing can be done now…
(the priest enters the meeting amidst woes)
NANA AGYEMANG
Nana Okomfo, where is Kumi?
OKOMFO
he is fine.
OKYERE
Has he found the sword?
OKOMFO
He will come with the sword.
(the queen cleans the water from the rotten leg of the king.)
EXT. DAY VILLAGE SQUARE
a group of youth numbering to 20 at the village square chanting war songs. after a while, they move towards the river.
INT. DAY PALACE
a palace attendants rushes into the concil meeting panting. the elders all run behind the king to seek for refuge. the king after composing himself looks at the attendant.
NANA AGYEMANG
Is the land not troubled enough for you to add yours to it?
palace attendant
Sorry your highness, but there is more trouble than this.
BEDIAKO
What trouble?
PALACE ATTENDANT
The young men have gathered at the village square heading for the village square.
(the elders all look terrifed)
They say, they journey to fetch Kumi.
NANA AGYEMANG
stop them now. Stop them
(bediako and agya asare move out to meet the youth.)
EXT. DAY VILLAGE SQUARE
bediako and agya asare race to the village square. the get to the ground and realise that the youth are not there. they her distant voices singing towards the river, they continue racing to the river.
ext. day path to the river
the youth sing vocifously and chanted for their mission. bediako and agya asare run after them in the distance. they hear they calling and they stop for them to meet them. they get to them and begin to pant.
YOUTH LEADER
Chooboi!
YOUTH LEADER
boi!
BEDIAKO
My people, don’t go. You don’t have to go.
YOUTH LEADER
Why stay here. No one know what has happened to Kumi. He could be dead by now.
AGYA ASARE
No! he is not dead. The Princess is still alive. None of you were chosen because you would die if you go.
BEDIAKO
The priest says he is fine and he would come back with the sword soon. Please go back to your homes and pray for the land. The King is not getting better.
(they begin to drop their stones and sticks and walk back to the village dissapointed)
EXT. DAY FARM
kumi appears to be possessed. he sees some dwarfs playing and then he moves to join them to play. after a few running around the tree. they begin to move into the tree.
kumi
Moatia, I am off to fetch the sword of the oracle for the people of Kyerekrom. Without the sword, my people die. I have been here for more than three weeks where do I go?
(they look into each others face and then they all point to the same direction. Kumi gets up)
thank you!
EXT EVENING FOREST
kumi walks tiredly. he holds to trees to gain his balance. he begins to have blurring visions and then he falls to the ground.
ext. evening village square
priest looks into the sky and laughs out loud. the villagers all look into the sky to see if they can see what the priest sees. nana agyemang beckons him to speak to him
OKOMFO
He is there!
(they all cheer and begin thanking the gods)
ext. evening princess' palace
the queen runs into the princess' palace. the maidens all long surprised as they eavedrops on what the queen has to say. the princess strains herself to speak
QUEEN
You will be well soon. Kumi is at the oracle’s shrine
(the maidens thank the gods and gets back to their post as the queen walks out.)
ext. morning forest
kumi in a BIG CLOSE UP sleeps in the forest. ZOOM OUT to reveal him on the ground. he opens his eyes slowly and sees an old lady sitting beside him, he panicks
old lady
Fear not my son. I am not evil, if I were, I would have killed you in your sleep. What are you doing in this part of the forest? Don’t you know it is forbidding for anyone to come here?
kumi
I am sent by the King and people of Kyerekrom. The wrath of the gods is upon the land. The people die like fowls. The whole community is stricken with a curse. The priest said the sword of the oracle must be fetched to slaughter the sacrificial lamb. It is of that reason that I am here.
(the old lady looks at him for a while and then burst inot laughter)
OLD LADY
Kyerekrom is dying. So soon, a century is gone by.
kumi
Why laugh when people die. Where is the sword of the oracle to be fetched?
ODURO
There is no sword in this forest
kumi
What! what do you mean?
OLD LADY
There is no sword in this forest. mm...hmmm... The father has indeed come!
kumi
What are you saying? I have been for three weeks in search of the sword and you say…
OLD LADY
It is a long story. The sword is not in the forest.
KUMI
Then where?
(the old lady looks into the thick forest and begins to cry)
OLD LADY
he was such a kind hearted man. Though a stranger but he did all he could to be accepted in the land. He was more of a unifier…
ext. day former kyerekrom
a noble young man differently dressed from the villagers appear before the king and his elders. he presents a gold chain to the king who places his hand on him to accomodate him in the village. the elders admire his nobility.
ext. day former kyerekrom
kwesi nyame carrying firewood from the farm. he walks pass several young women who publicly admire him.
ext. day under the palm tree
elders of the land sit under the palm tree to drink some palwine. some children are playing around. kwesi nyame passes by them, with his hoe in hand, he bows to them and walks away, tey look at him go and every one admires him.
ext. day front of kwesi nyame's hut
he sits infront o fhis hut to weave a basket. three young women pass by his hut.
akua
Greetings Kwesi Nyame
kwesi nyame
Greetings fair ladies on the land. Akua, how are you?
AKUA
I am fine. We are on our way to the farm
KWESI NYAME
Okay. Enkye ba!
(the young girls go and Kwesi and Akua steals glances at each other.)
ext. day village square
two yong men wrestle. the strongest one defeats the weaker one. the best wrestler throws a challenge out.
chief wrestler
who dares to challenge me. i am the best there is. the gods made me so.
(kwesi nyame steps forward after being beckoned by akua. they begin wrestling and in a few moments kwesi nyame puts the chief wrestler down, everyone comes around and praise him for being the best there is.)
ext. day palace
the king and his elders are drinking palmwine and making merry.
king
There is no one like him. He is got some spirit in him.
elder 1
who
king
Kwesi Nyame. though from a different land, he fits perfectly well into a community.
ELDER 1
He is strange. He does the unexpected.
ELDER 2
All the young girls in the land are interested in.
ELDER 3
Even the married ones!
ELDER 1
Someone must stop him. He makes our young men feel useless. If nothing is done, I fear he might be enstooled as a King.
elders
Musuo!
EXT. EVENING UNDER A TREE
ELDER 1 & 2 stand under a tree in an intimate position. in the dark they whisper to each other
ELDER 1
I hold so much fear in me against Kwesi Nyame.
ELDER 2
He might steal the hearts of the gods and be made a King one day. He beats our finest wrestlers to their game. Something must be done fast.
ELDER 1
I have an idea.
(elder 1 whispers into the ears of elder 2 who looks sarcastic)
ext. day palace
the king looks devastated. he paces up and down the palace. the elders all look scared to speak, the guards have all guarded before the palace.
king
An abomination. Who could have stolen the sacred sword? This has never happened. Such an insolence. Who is responsible for such a taboo?
ELDER 3
If it may please the king, may a search team be made. Every hut and compound be searched and the perpetrators be buried alive.
elders
Yes! If it may please the king;
KINg
so be it!
ext. day kyerekrom
guards come out from one compound and then enters another compound. the villagers follow the guards as they search compound to compound. they stop before Kwesi nyame's hut. the elders step forward.
ELDER 1
May no such ungratefulness be shown Kwesi Nyame can never do that.
ELDER 2
Search not his hut. He can never do that.
KWESI NYAME
Elders, it is just fair my hut is searched. It makes we all even.
(the guards enetr his hut. a few moments later, they come out with the royal sword. the villagers all scream. the guards seize Kwesi by the waist and lead him to the palace. the villagers start beating him up.)
ext. day village square
kwesi nyame's hands are tied behind him. his face is swollen fro the beatings administered to him. the villagers spit and insults him. the guards stand by him with whips in hand. the king comes with the sword in his hand. they tie it to his wrist. they push him into a pit dug for him. they burry him to the neck.
KINg
We took you in as one of us. Is this how best to pay us back; stealing the sacred sword?
ELDER 1
No one born of this land would have ever done this.
ELDER 2
You are cursed.
KWESI NYAME
You kill an innocent soul. You kill an innocent soul, when the father comes be prepared to answer.
(the villagers spit at him, some throw dirt in his face. akua looks on from a distance and runs off.)
EXT. EVENING VILLAGE SQUARE
kwesi nyame is almost dead. no one is around him. he looks inot the bush and sees some one there. he tries to call out but has lost his voice. akua comes out from the bush with a calabash of water.
AKUA
Kwesi Nyame… Kwesi Nyame… I am here. It is me Akua. I have come to give you water.
(he sips some of the water and finds his voice.)
KWESI NYAME
Akua my love, they kill an innocent soul. The father would not forgive them. Leave now…leave…
(akua looks around her and senses the wrath of the gods on the land, she leaves the calabash and runs off tot he forest.)
ext. evening forest
the old lady faces the setting sun whiles kumi sits tensed and terrified. she plucks a leaf from a tree.
OLD LADY
No one believed Kwesi Nyame
KUMI
Such a cruel generation! What happened to them?
OLD LADY
No; what is happening to them?
kumi
oh! So my people…
OLD LADY
The father has come and they are paying. Go back to your people and tell them the truth.
kumi
Without the sword?
OLD LADY
The sword is in the village. Kwesi Nyame was buried with the sword in the village square. Go for the moment has come.
(kumi gets up dissapointedly and sets off, he then turns to the old lady)
come with me. My people would believe you more for, my family and me is cursed.
OLD LADY
I am finished. I was kept alive to tell the story.
KUMI
One last thing; What happened to Akua?
OLD LADY
She was kept alive to tell the story. Now go for that which they denied Kwesi Nyame would be yours.
(kumi turns around and continue his journey. the old lady looks at him go.)
EXT DAY FRONT OF PALACE
the few abled young men in the village gather in fron tof the palace singing war songs. the king's leg is badly rotten. the okomfo recites some encantations.
YOUTH LEADER
Chooboi!
VILLAGERS
Boi!
YOUTH LEADER
Chooboi!
villagers
Boi!
YOUTH LEADER
Nana, Kumi is been gone for over 5 weeks and yet nothing is done. No one knows of what has happened to him. We want to go fetch him so give us your blessings.
OKOMFO
nothing of the sort must be done for we can’t read the walks in the forest.
YOUTH LEADER
How do you read the walks of Kumi?
OKOMFO
He is been chosen by the gods.
NANA AGYEMANG
My people, my health is not getting better. If you go now, our pains would rise. Wait a little more, he might be coming home now.
(the villagers murmur unsatisfied with the king's desposition)
YOUTH LEADER
Nana, for the respect we have for the throne, we will wait. But we wait for only 7 days. Nana 7 days!
NANA AGYEMANG
Thank you my people…
ext. day bediako's compound
maame abena is in pains as she holds her rotten leg. opoku fans the mother's leg. bediako comes out of the hut and sees the wife and son, he chuckles.
OPOKU
Maame, please hold on. Kumi would be back soon.
MAAME ABENA
Shut up! It could have been you fetching the sword. Nothing is happened to his family yet.
bediako
ooh, so you now know he should have been the one fetching the sword. Stay here and rot.
(he walks out on them and leave to the palace)
ext. day nyantakyi's compound
maame akua is sitting on the ground covered in mud wailing. nyantakyi consoles her but she is heartbroken.
MAAME AKUA
they should have told me they were sacrificing Kumi for the village. They should tell me what they have done to my son. I warned you Kumi but you would not listen.
NYANTAKYI
Akua, crying would not help. The gods would protect Kumi.
MAAME AKUA
Protect who, a dead boy?
(nyantakyi stands up and looks into the sky.)
ext. evening forest
kumi wakls tiredly in the forest. the forest sounds disturbed. a few steps and he falls to the ground. the dwarfs come out from the tree and he they pour water on him, he wakes up and looks at them, they point to a path for him to follow home. he gets up and the dwarfs dissappear. he walks on revitalised.
ext. day forest
kumi walks on happily, he sees a man whose back is turned to him searching through the bushes. he calls after the man.
kumi
Man of the land, I greet you.
(the man turned and it was his father)
nyantakyi
Kumi my son, so you are alive; they said you were dead so I came looking for you myself since I did not believe them.
KUMI
I am not dead. I am alive, and where is Maame?
NYANTAKYI
my son, your mother my wife died. She could no longer bear the pain. Come let me take you home.
(kumi burst into tears and moves to the father, when the father opens his arms to hug him, he realises it is not his father)
no you are not my fatter!
NYANTAKYI
What do you mean? I am your father.
kumi
No! it is a lie. You are an evil spirit.
(he opens his bag and before hand, the man dissappears. he thanks the gods and continue his journey boldly.)
INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER
the princess lies on a mat in severe pains. her stomach is rotten and she is beginning to stink. the maidens fan her with disgusting looks. the queen enters to see her daughter. she cries and walks out.
ext. day front of palace
the youth sing war songs before the palace. the king's leg looks deteriorated. the priest makes a sign to speak but the singing enhances.
bediako
Nana. There is nothing we can do to stop them now.
AGYA ASARE
It is better you bless them to go.
(the other elders nod affirmatively to agya asare's desposition, nana agyemang looks at the priest and beckons him to allow them to go. the priest raises his hand and the singing sublimes)
OKOMFO
you may go. Bring Kumi back.
(maame akua wails bitterly. the youth leader moves to nyantakyi and bows to him. he then leads the youth towards the river.)
ext. day riverbank
the youth sing war songs as they approach the river. they see some one lying at the bank of the river. tyhe youth leader signals them to stop, he moves towards the body catiously and signals them to come. they get closer and it is Kumi. they sing praises and carry him on the shoulder of the strongest youth and they head back ot the village.
EXT. DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND
nyantakyi holds the maame akua by the waist as they get to their compound. they hear screams behind and turn to see oduro coming after them.
ODURO
Papa Nyantakyi! Papa Nyantakyi…
NYANTAKYI
what is it my son?
ODURO
Kumi… Kumi is back
MAAME AKUA
what did you just say?
ODURO
Kumi is at the palace now.
(they run back to the palace)
ext. day thick
opoku and afia sit under a mango tree enjoying some mango. they hear singing from the village.
OPOKU
What is that?
AFIA
It is from the village
(they get up, clean themselves and head back to the village)
int. day palace
the king and his elders sit mournfully. voices are heard from the forecourt of the palace.
BEDIAKO
What is that?
AGYA ASARE
What is happening?
NANA AGYEMANG
Where from that?
(the elders walk out to see the villagers carrying Kumi. they put him before the King. maame akua runs off to hug her son. nyantakyi stands behind the wife and looks at the king and his elders.)
INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER
the queen enters the princess'room. the maidens bow to her and she sits besides her daughter
QUEEN
Achia my daughter, Kumi is back. All will be well.
(everyone seems relieved.)
EXT DAY FRONT OF PALACE
nana agyemang limps forward to Kumi. kumi breaks away from the mother and moves towards the King
NANA AGYEMANG
Kumi our son, you are welcome. The journey has been long. You will tell us the whole details later but for now you are welcome.
KUMi
Your highness, thank you. You sent me and I am back. The journey is that for thousand warriors but I am back.
the villagers cheer Kumi.
NANA AGYEMANG
Now my son, give to me the sacred sword of the oracle you fetched from the forest.
Kumi looks at the faces of the villagers and the elders then opens his back, everyone smiles and waits to see the sacred sword. Kumi removes a cowry and places it on the ground.
BEDIAKO
Where is the sword?
OKYERE
Has the gods stricken you dump?
NANA AGYEMANG
Kumi, were is the sacred sword of the oracle?
kumi
Nana, there is… no sword in the forest.
OKOmfo
What!
kumi
All these while, the sword is been in the land. It is here.
NANA AGYEMANG
Where?
kumi
It is a long story. It is buried in the middle of the village. Let go dig the centre of the village and we would find it there.
NANA AGYEMANG
(looking confused)
Guards! To the village square.
ext. day villagesquare
a gurad is digging the village square. the villagers all look at Kumi as he narraters the story to them
kumi
… so it was. Kwesi Nyame was wrongfully killed and buried alive. He pronounced curses upon the land and we are paying for it.
NANA AGYEMANG
Where is the old lady?
kumi
She is gone by now. She was kept alive to tell the story.
the guard digs 6 feets and still finds nothing.
okomfo
there is nothing here. Absolutely no such thing.
the guard gets out out of the pit. his axe falls off and hits something. he picks it up and sees sees a red scarf. he cleans it and the handle of a gold sword appears. he picks it up and there, the sacred sword was tight to the wrist.
okomfo
Sword of the oracle! the sacred sword of the oracle. The curse is broken.
EXT. DAY VILLAGE SQUARE.
The king stands behind the sacrificial lamb with the sacred sword. the villagers carry their dead to the village square. the king holds the neck of the lamb.
nana agyemang
the father had come to question us. We are found guilty. The birds that flew did not sing not because their voices were soar but because there is no one to sing to. A day without distress is a day without life. No day passes without enquiries, enquiries are made for observations and observations do end in understand. I do now understand why the ancestors said that until he rotten tooth is plucked out, the mouth must chew with caution. Caution is for humans and that makes us right and principle entities.
We must learn from the past and know no man is infallible. The disquisement of the truth is what makes people tell lies. Every piece of issue must be naturalized for posterity looks on…
(the king slaughters the lamb and it begins to rain. the whole villagers rejoice. the king checks his leg and sees that he is healed. kumi turns around and sees the princess flanked by her maidens. she glows like the early morning sun. everyon goes dead silent as she walks to her father. the king takes her hand and holds Kumi's hand too.)
you have proven yourself worthy of my daughter’s hand and you deserve her. Cursed or not cursed, I make you whole. You and your family.
(the king beckons Nyantakyi and the wife to join them and they do)
you are a true son of the land and a clean man Nyantakyi. I bless this day. Princess Achia, I give you to Kumi as husband.
the king ties the hands of Kumi and the princess together. the villagers cheer them.
ext. evening path to river
kumi and the princess walk hand in hand by te path to the riverside during sunset. the walk to the river and seem to have found a new fate.
fade out!
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