Motherland The Musical

Synopsis

The story behind Motherland The Musical.

The Onwukas’ path to an event on Independence Day is interrupted by a political march filled with dancers representing Nigeria’s different tribes. The march completely blocks the road, and the young people leading it refuse to make way for the couple. When arguments begin to arise between the marchers about tribal stereotypes, the couple insists that it is possible for Nigeria’s different tribes to get along, pointing out that they themselves are from different tribes: Mrs. Onwuka is Fulani and Mr. Onwuka is Igbo. Fascinated by this, the young people insist on hearing how the couple came to be.

The Onwukas take the youngsters through a journey of romance using Nigerian music, beginning with their first meeting in 1957 at an I. K. Dairo concert, up to their engagement at a club where Bobby Johnson was performing.

The couple, however, face pushback from their parents, who each refuse to marry their children to someone from a different tribe. Realising that their love may never be accepted, they are ready to end their engagement, but the idea that their love represents the hope they have for their country renews their passion. They get married on Nigeria’s Independence Day.

The couple chronicles the history of Nigeria through their eyes, from the first coup to the civil war and the atmosphere of FESTAC 77, through song and dance.

The youths at the march realise they have a lot to learn from the couple’s experiences and decide to make way for them, but the couple has already missed their event. Realising the event was a conference Dr. Mrs. Onwuka was supposed to speak at, the youth set up a podium for her to address them. Dr. Onwuka gives a rousing speech galvanising the young people, leading to a final dance of unity.