Synopsis of the play
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The black Hermit is a post-colonial drama, written at the dawn of independence in Kenya to douse the fire of ethnic agitation and religious conflict which had begun to undermine the cooperative existence of the young East African Republic.
The play tells the story of Remi, an offspring of the Marua tribe, born and bred in a Christian home, however, he grew up to be the first in his tribe to be educated in the white man’s way (Western education), therefore, all the people of Marua cast their hopes that Remi with his knowledge of the Whiteman’s ideology and politics would return and lead them to political and religious prominence, in a land where they are being mistreated.
Remi is an embodiment of Nationalism devoid of religious and ethnic bigotry. While in school he was able to garner the will of his people, the Marua tribe, to join the Africanist party and work collectively for the political and economic emancipation of their people, from the whims and caprices of colonialism.
However, following his successful politicking, he has to surmount a wish from his people, to obey a sacred custom just as his followers had obeyed him and inherited the widow of his late brother (Thoni). An act which he sees as mundane and barbaric for a person of his disposition. Although he reluctantly succumbs to this wish, he vows never to share intimacy with this woman, who he believes is meant for another, neither could he reconcile living with a woman who does not love him.
As a result, Remi flees to the city to live a life of seclusion and solitude from the things that surround him and never returns home to his people, thus he abandons his tribe, his aged mother and his new wife Thoni, at their own perils. Remi becomes a ‘Hermit” in the city. Oblivious of Remi’s resolve Thoni waits patiently for his return with a burdened heart and a feeling that light would shine on her way someday. Remi’s disappearance, from the tribe, creates a big lacuna, as his tribe groans and yarns for a leader who will give them cognizance in the face of national politics, and reduce the burden of heavy taxation, forced labour and tribal political sentiments.
The elders of his tribe see Remi as the only one fit to salvage their burden owing to his education and influence on the ruling Africanist party. They (Elders) come together in one accord and send some persons to the city with a portion of ‘Black magic’ and ‘a mother blessing’ to cajole Remi back to the tribe.
Nyobi (Remi’s mother) also solicits the support of the pastor who needs young blood to take over from him and thus he is convinced that Remi is the right one to take over from him when he is gone. The pastor readily went to the city with his ‘Bible’ and talked Remi into agreeing to return back to the tribe.
Remi kept to his promise and returned. However, he returned as a complete disappointment and failure to all who looked up to him for saving help; the tribe, his mother, the church and his wife Thoni. Before his return, he has had to cut his relationship with his southern African white girlfriend Jane, the lady with whom he had lived together in the city and had promised to marry. He returns home with Omange, a man from another tribe to preach national unity and progress to his people.
On his return, He denounced their tribal sentiments and dreams and called on all parties to unite together and work for a better society. He castigated the Christian‘s “hermitic” way of life.
He cautions and reprimands his mother’s choice of wife for him and scares Thoni away. Thus, Thoni (his wife) gets the message and rather than live with shame and humiliation, she commits suicide. Thoni’s unexpected suicide brings Remi to the realization that she truly loves him, but it is too late, as he ends up broken and defeated.
Remi:
And after? I have been a Hermit…from my wife…from the people I see now…a streak, of light through the darkness…I have hem too Long away from their real thirst and hunger…what have I done? What have I done? (75)
