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The Narrow Path

The story is set in Elerin District, a fictitious community of about twenty small villages, deep in the heart of Yorubaland.

Awero, Lape, Ajitoni and Peju, volumptuous maidens of Orita village have reached marriageable age. Their parents tell them so in plain words. The winking eyes of eligible bachelors in Orita and other village say the same

Awero suddenly points to Odejimi as her chosen one after a traditional festival where she outshines other village belles. The bride price is paid. The wedding date is fixed. Then Awero suddenly becomes depressive, and actually makes a suicide attempt. Her friends and family search in vain for the source of her depression.

A victim of rape, Awero remains closed into herself until she is married to Odejimi. On their wedding night the secret is disclosed with much anguish and violence: that Awero has known a man before her marriage.

A dangerous cloud gathers. A woman found to be a “Broken Pot” on her wedding night is the most abhorrent taboo in Elerin. It is a never-fading blight on he name and honour of the bride’s parents and her village.

Suddenly the walls of the new school in Orita came down, destroyed by unknown persons with accusing fingers on Agbede village. Promptly Orita responded by setting fire to Agbede farms. A war was inevitable.
But then, women who often marginalized have always played peace keeping roles in traditional African communities.

Dir Tunde Kelani with Sola Asedeko,Seyi Fasuyi Nigeria 2006 100mins