The Nigerian epic film Lisabi: The Uprising brings to life the age-old tale of resistance, bravery, and betrayal within the Oyo Empire, but it does so with fascinating character dynamics, and historical reinterpretations. This movie takes viewers into the heart of the Egba people’s struggle under Oyo dominance, focusing on the titular hero Lisabi and his powerful adversary Sangodeyi. Yet, while the film delivers stirring visuals and moments of high tension, it leaves much to be desired in its portrayal of historical consistency and depth in character roles. In this review, we explore the motivations and significance of characters like Edioke, dissect the weaknesses within the Oyo military hierarchy, and consider some of the film’s notable historical omissions, which add intrigue but also raise questions about its historical fidelity.
Edioke and her daughter
So I ruminated on the fact that the Onidioke gave her daughter as tribute to Sangodeyi so willingly. For non-Yoruba viewers or readers like me Edioke is a nick name, “Big butt”. I thought it interesting, then my mind quickly goes straight to Tavern scenes in hollywood epic fantasy stories where the Inn keeper is a woman who is mostly flirty with the men, some for survival and some because they enjoy the company. Maybe the Edioke may have been such or at least she understands the needs of men such as Sangodeyi and knowing fully well that there is little that can be done to stop him from taking what he wants there is no way to fight. If you ask me she is the most sensible female character in the movie unlike the other naive lady that blatantly insults Sangodeyi in his own camp and thinks she would walk out with her own two legs.
Ilari Oyo are weaklings
In the Lisabi: The Uprising movie, the Soldiers of Oyo empire are weak. They are only shown to dominate peasants and unarmed people. The soldiers have a hard time neutralizing a one man threat seeking the head of their commander until he is weakened. The chief Ilari is even the weakest, 6 times he is shown to attack unarmed people in the movie, he’s a tactless commander who is all bark and hardly any sting, the one time he draws his blade to face a challenge head on, he loses his head. Imagine a fight between scrawny goat and well fed aggressive bull, that fight would not be as exciting as a fight between the same bull and another bull that are equally matched. If the first bull trampled all the scrawny goats in the pen would you call it a fair fight or peg that bull a champion? Of course not, until that bull has proven himself against another bull then we can decide whether he is a champion or not. As far as I am concerned there was no real challenge for the Ilari Oyo and when Sangodeyi faced Lisabi he tried to flee the battle but was taught a lesson that you don’t turn your back on a man with a sharp blade, especially if he has come for your head for your crimes. Again Sangodeyi is the chief of all Villain of weakness.
Now that a sequel is on the horizon, I sincerely hope, The Alaafin has some cards up his sleeves or he better put up a good fight himself or else… Now I sound like Sangodeyi, I’ll just let Lisabi do the dirty job when the sequel is released. If Lisabi dies in the trying, at least let them make it a glorious death with him visibly dismantling the Oyo hold on the Egba people.
Four fools, Two Foxes and a Coward
Everybody knows you don’t go looking for a fight you can’t win unless you have strong backing or a strong back or strong wits. The Oba Olodan played by Femi Adebayo in the opening scene goes against this wisdom, and perishes.
The young lady who thinks her sharp mouth can cut her way out of Sangodeyi’s grip is another example of beauty without brains, I don’t care how much honour you have for yourself, no talk pass yourself.
The third man let his passionate rage control him, yes he managed to cut down some weak soldiers, probably out of sheer luck, I’m not sure I would consider him to have any brute strength even though he looked better fed than the soldiers, regardless, he ran out of luck or maybe he ran out of air, not just air in his lungs but in his head too.
The last man Osoponmile, the husband fool, also the funniest of the lot of his kind, was asked by his wife to bring ripe plantain, the man didn’t follow instructions, he met Sangodeyi, again he failed to follow instructions and paid for it on top of it all, his plantain was not ripe. If Sangodeyi didn’t kill him, maybe his wife would have.
These people should have had some sense like Edioke the first fox who sacrifices the innocence of her daughter and bides her time and joins the uprising when it made sense, and of course the real G himself, patient enough to conceal his rage and strike when he has gathered enough resources of allies and of course some metaphysical fortification.
The Alake of Egbaland could have been another fox since he was reluctant to offend the Alaafin, after all the Oba Olodan attempted to defy the Alaafin, although I would say in a very foolish manner. The Alake, for his reluctance in supporting Lisabi on screen so far can be tagged a coward. He may yet be redeemed if we see him have a change of mind and gather some balls in the sequel.
Slavery
This is a theme as I strongly believe could have been explored to greater effect, that the greater population of the Egba people were slaves, some may have even been born into slavery. I keep wondering how the Oyo empire had slaves and we never see how they got the slaves, not even a verbal reference to it, it would have made sense if the Egba people were the main source of these important commodities, they are expensive commodities after all, why else did the Portuguese offer guns? It definitely is not because they want the Oyo Empire cowries because it is useless or even the food, the food definitely may have been what was meant to feed the sailors and the purchased slaves that are sailed back to Europe to work in their vast plantations – that is if the ship makes it to the other continent without running into pirate ships. Sangodeyi’s xenophobic treatment of the Egba people is evident in the raid in Igbehin as he considers the Egba people “Unfortunate” as we hear him say at least twice in the Igbehin scene when he gathers the people and in front of the Ile Oti. Infact, in practicality, Sangodeyi should have taken slaves at Gbagura when he raided the village, but we never see him collect slaves here or any place else. I mean this would have explained why throughout Egbaland there is nobody brave enough to take up arms and defend themselves because all those that have shown any form of resistance have been taken into slavery or killed.
Named and Unnamed Characters
Some of the Characters go unnamed, while this is ok for some the others you can do a simple reading at the end credits, but why should Oba Olodan, the Alake of Egbaland and especially the Alaafin of Oyo remain unnamed? Is Lisabi legend not a historical story? Is it that the resource materials for their research didn’t contain this fact, I am inclined to doubt it until it is proven otherwise because there are historical records of different Alaafins on wikipedia and the year of their reign documented by different people both foreign and local. The history of Lisabi is unclear, likely due to oral tradition diluting original details over time. His main enemy, “An Alaafin something something,” viewed Lisabi’s uprising as a significant threat to his realm’s stability, control over the Egba people, and trade relations with the Portuguese. It’s surprising that there’s no documented information on Lisabi, even with Google. The real Lisabi and his rival must exist somewhere. Odunlade convincingly portrayed a monarch more focused on tribute and trade with the Portuguese, but which Alaafin was he? When was his reign? Why is his identity shrouded in mystery? We heard alot of the Eulogy uttered by Sangodeyi many a time, but never a time was the name of The Alaafin mentioned. My best guess would be that he is Alaafin Abiodun who reigned 1770 – 1789. The main reason is because it is under his reign that the Egba people gain independence.
Historical Heroes must always go with worthy Opposition
Another possible reason may be lack of licensing of the rights to the original accounts and this might have given the Anthill and Al Notion team a reason to exercise their creative liberties. This then puts all the other named characters in question, did these characters exist or did they exist with different names? We can only speculate until the production team or someone with authority on the subject provides some insight. Most people may have heard of Alexander the Great while the majority might not know his arch enemy. While people may be infatuated with Alexander the great, he would not have come to prominence if his arch enemy King Darius of Persia didn’t exist. Some level of research can provide information about Darius. My point is, Alexander existed and the people in his story existed and somehow the accounts of his story can be found somewhere. Lisabi couldn’t have had an unnamed enemy in the existing records.
Inconsistencies
Why didn’t The Alake of Egbaland have his own palace on screen like Oba Olodan? He held court under trees. Some may argue he preferred to stroll outside, but why discuss crucial matters in public? On screen, he lacked guards for protection against potential attackers. Is the Egba ruler that free or vulnerable? The Egba people likely had a military that was decimated during the Oyo conquest, leading to their submission. The Oyo empire’s tribute system may have made it difficult for the Egba to sustain an army due to food shortages. Oba Olodan had guards, though they were easily overlooked. The Alaafin obviously had guards, but the Alake lacked visible protectors.
The End Credits
At the end of the movie, I enjoyed the theme song while scanning names, but couldn’t find Osokenu listed. Notably, I noticed “New General” by Deyemi Okanlawon, “Lisabi’s Mother,” and “Baby Lisabi.” Were they in this movie, or is this the sequel’s end credits? Just to confirm, I watched the movie again like a forensic investigator looking for a missing person. Something ain’t right.
Military Structure
In the first scene at the Alaafin’s court, Sangodeyi acts as a palace herald among the “Ilari” soldiers. The “Ilari” scene features two officers: Sangodeyi and another unnamed character, titled Old Olori Ilari, or “Head of Ilari.” This suggests Sangodeyi is a deputy, though he appears more vocal, perhaps indicating equal rank but different responsibilities. Sangodeyi’s troops wear leopard skin, unlike the blue and red attire of Old Ilari’s warriors, hinting at separate regiments. Following the Old Ilari’s exit, Sangodeyi’s role may have shifted, possibly indicating a promotion or increased command authority.
Hierarchy
Who are the Ilari? Are they soldiers or just Tribute collectors? If the soldiers are Ilary why is there a separate list of actors for the Oyo Army. Sangodeyi, Is he the leader of the ilari and are the Ilari are soldiers or if they are the Oyo Army, what is Sangodeyi? Is he a Balogun? Is there even a chain of command for an existing Oyo Army for a Balogun or Kakanfo, who are they? With a simple research a few Military officer titles comes up: Asipa, Olotu, Are Ago. If you are not native to the Yoruba culture or familiar with it, you will struggle to understand the significance of a person’s office or title. Lisabi: The Uprising doesn’t shed enough light on the political or the military structure of the chain of command.
Anyway, My take on the whole matter, Lisabi: The Uprising could have been a really great movie. Its not my favorite Netflix Epic release in 2024 but I did like the ambitiousness of this project and the fact that I had to do some bit of research into Yoruba culture to put these together. Lisabi could have been the Nigerian Thracian slave warrior of Spartacus by Stephen S. Deknight or William Wallace of Braveheart by Mel Gibson. I dare Niyi Akinmolayan to try this sort of story again or any other ambitious director. If you want to attempt a Fantasy or war story please find a writer that is passionate about that very thing so that there won’t be many pins in the eye and mind.
