Ayorkumi – A Total Theatre Rendition

“Ayorkumi” (Part 1: The Awakening) is a Total Theatre Act written by Gerald Nyarko-Mensah.
The act is set in the Northern and Volta regions of Ghana during the colonial era and tells the story of the life of an anointed princess from northern Ghana who narrowly escapes capture by slave raiders as a baby during shea butter market day in Salaga and is rescued and adopted by a salt trader from Keta in the south. The salt trader, guided by the gods, takes the princess to Keta, where, against the skepticism of the local elders, he raises the baby princess to adulthood together with his wife. The royal ancestry of the princess and the future of her lineage as laid out in her destiny is revealed on her 18th birthday in a romantic encounter with the gods and in an engagement with the spirit of her deceased mother.

The drama is interspersed with music, dance, narrations and poetry.

Key actors include Picornia Ibrahim, Benjamin Adzika, Kwabena Okyere, and Francis Akologo, Dancers include Korku Etse and Jimi Akitsi and are led by Kafui Agbeva. Guest performing singer is Lamisi. The act is directed by Kobina Hagan.