AFRICAN DRAMA DELE CHARELY: The Blood Of Stranger Examine Wara's role in the development of the plot

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Wara's Role in the Development of the Plot

Wara is the principal female character in Dele Charley's The Blood of a Stranger. Attractive, skilful as a dancer and Kindo's beloved, she is central to several incidents that complicate and eventually help to resolve the action. Her role links the private love story of Kindo and Wara with the political intrigues, sexual exploitation and abuse of Mando custom in the play.

Wara is introduced early through the cave incident. Kindo tries to drag her into the sacred cave for sexual purposes, but she resists him. Soko nearly discovers them there. Had they been found in the cave, both Kindo and Wara could have been accused of sacrilege. Wara's presence of mind and their escape from immediate exposure prevent the action from reaching a crisis too early; thus, the incident creates suspense and advances the plot.

As Kindo's girlfriend, Wara becomes a vulnerable means through which his enemies can attack him. Although Kindo is protective of her, she is not fully aware of the intrigues at the King's court. Maligu and Soko exploit her relationship with Kindo in their schemes against him. In this way, Wara's position intensifies the conflict between Kindo and those who manipulate the authority and customs of Mando land for selfish ends.

Her importance becomes greater with the arrival of Whitehead. Whitehead lusts after Wara, and Maligu, Parker and Soko abduct her in order to expose her to him. Whitehead attempts to rape her, but Wara courageously fights him off and escapes. This escape delays a direct confrontation between Whitehead and Kindo and makes the eventual denouement more tense. It also reveals Whitehead's moral corruption and the complicity of the local plotters who aid him.

Wara is further made the proposed sacrificial victim. Soko and Maligu choose her because they regard her as a stranger and a virgin, qualities required for the sacrifice. She therefore becomes the intended sacrificial lamb. Her proposed sacrifice exposes the cruelty and hypocrisy of those who invoke tradition, not for the welfare of the community, but to protect their power and satisfy their private interests.

The final resolution is closely connected with Wara. Kindo declares that Wara is not a virgin and reveals that the body on the sacrificial stone is not Wara's but Parker's, whom he has killed. He also kills Whitehead, whose actions have threatened both his relationship with Wara and the integrity of Mando custom. Finally, Wara reveals that she is not a stranger in Mando land. This disclosure destroys the false basis on which her sacrifice has been planned and proves that custom has been deliberately manipulated by Maligu and Soko.

Thus, Wara develops the plot through the cave episode, her abduction and escape from Whitehead, the proposed sacrifice and the revelation of her true identity. Through her, the play exposes lust, betrayal, political intrigue and the exploitation of traditional practices for selfish purposes.