In her latest work, “Ojirami: The Weeping River”, Nigerian playwright and cultural entrepreneur Benison Christopher transforms ancestral legend into a modern stage drama that feels both urgent and timeless. Drawing inspiration from the sacred Ojirami River in Edo State, Nigeria, the play unites myth, spirituality, and human frailty in a story that confronts the consequences of ambition overshadowing reverence.
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The opening scene immediately immerses readers in village life as Elder Afekhafe and Omomije pour libations around the community in preparation for the Ojirami Festival. Through prayer and chanting, Benison Christopher effortlessly introduces the audience to the sacred heart of the story—the village’s bond with the river and the rituals that sustain it. This introduction doesn’t just set the tone; it forges a connection between readers and the people of Ojirami, grounding the myth in tangible human experience.
At the centre of the play is Ekpen, a proud and restless young man whose ambition disturbs the delicate balance between humanity and the divine. His actions awaken a forgotten goddess—the spirit of the river itself—whose wrath becomes a reckoning for the community. In contrast, Ureshemi emerges as a quiet force of moral clarity, her composure and empathy adding depth to the story’s emotional rhythm. Together, their arcs explore pride, love, and the fragile boundary between faith and defiance.
What truly stands out in “Ojirami: The Weeping River” is Benison Christopher’s characterisation. Every voice feels instinctive and distinct—so much so that readers can easily tell who is speaking without glancing at the names. The dialogue flows with natural cadence, deeply rooted in the rhythms of African oral storytelling, giving the Nigerian setting charm, colour, and heart. It’s easy to become fully invested in the characters’ words, emotions, and exchanges.
The play is structured in six acts, each containing three to five scenes, and Benison Christopher’s attention to detail in the stage directions is remarkable. Her notes provide clear guidance for stage directors while leaving room for interpretation and creativity. As a result, reading the play feels like both watching it unfold and stepping into the scenes yourself. The writing is descriptive enough to ignite the imagination, yet open enough to invite different artistic visions. This balance between precision and freedom makes “Ojirami: The Weeping River” an engaging experience on the page, not just on the stage.
Beyond the storytelling, the play speaks powerfully to larger conversations surrounding migration, resilience, and cultural heritage—themes that the author herself identifies as central to the work. These ideas ripple through the narrative, reminding us of the importance of remembering our roots, even as we move forward in an ever-changing world. It’s a reflection on the human cost of forgetting, and the sacred necessity of balance between progress and preservation.
“Ojirami: The Weeping River” shares a deep emotional resonance with Benison Christopher’s short story collection “A Place Without Heroes”, which explores ordinary people navigating extraordinary circumstances. Where “A Place Without Heroes” finds courage in everyday struggles, “Ojirami: The Weeping River” elevates those same themes through myth, showing that the challenges of modern life and the lessons of ancestral memory are intertwined.
’Ojirami: The Weeping River’ began as an ancestral tale told in whispers, and I wanted to give it new life on the page and on the stage, The story of Ekpen and the goddess is not only about a river—it is about the dangers of forgetting who we are and what we owe to our communities.
Benison Christopher
My short stories in ‘A Place Without Heroes’ carry the same spirit, proving that ordinary struggles can be as profound as myth. Whether it is a woman confronting betrayal or a man facing danger in a bank, I am drawn to how ordinary people bear extraordinary burdens. These works belong together: one rooted in myth, the other in contemporary life—both insisting on courage, reverence, and resilience.
Ultimately, this is a play that lingers. Its combination of lyrical writing, cultural depth, and spiritual reflection leaves readers thoughtful long after the final act. It encourages us to look inward—to consider our own world, our forgotten rituals, and the delicate balance we too often disturb.
A poetic and hauntingly relevant work, “Ojirami: The Weeping River” reimagines Nigerian myth for the modern world. Through its vivid storytelling and moral urgency, Benison Christopher reminds us that forgetting where we come from can have consequences far beyond ourselves.
“Ojirami: The Weeping River”, by Benison Christopher, is available to purchase in paperback format from Amazon via Black Writing Publishers.
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