Anowa

Anowa and Kofi Ako are traveling on the road in a storm. Two years have passed since they left Yebi together. They are carrying heavy loads of monkey skins to sell on the roadside. Even though they are soaked by the rain, they seem happy and in love as they tease each other. They have been on the highway for two weeks and still have 30 miles to go before reaching the town of Atandasu. Anowa suddenly turns serious and suggests that Kofi Ako should wed another woman who can help them, but it is unclear what she means. Kofi Ako says she is being silly and that he wants to consult someone to help them with their problem, which is still currently undefined. Anowa does not want to resort to magic or “medicines.” Anowa reveals that they having been trying to conceive and she is worried that she is not yet pregnant. Kofi Ako reminds her that her doctor told him there was nothing physically wrong with her. She says again that she wants him to marry another woman, and now it is clear that she means another woman to help conceive a child for Kofi Ako. He refuses. Then Kofi Ako mentions he wants to buy a couple of men to help him with their business. Anowa says she could not bear to own slaves.  

Osam and Badua are in their home, discussing Anowa. Badua is aware that Anowa has not been able to conceive and blames it on her departure from her home. Badua also knows that Anowa and Kofi have grown wealthy through their business, which has been greatly increased by their purchase of slaves. Badua is confused, knowing that Anowa always said she could never own slaves. Osam reminds her that he always wanted their daughter to be a priestess. Anowa was not cut out for normal life, he says, and their daughter’s current situation proves that he was right. They agree to stop arguing and hope for the best. 

Kofi is shown carrying a light load across the stage, behind eight men who are groaning beneath heavy burdens. Anowa enters and it is clear that years have passed. Even though they are obviously prosperous now, Anowa and Kofi argue. Now that Anowa has no work to do, she cannot face the long days. She laments that she did not become a priestess and asks Kofi again to consider marrying another woman. She says that when she looks into his future, she does not see herself in it. Rather, she refers to herself as a “wayfarer,” belonging to herself, but not to a place or to anyone else. Kofi is frustrated with her and asks why she cannot enjoy their success. 

The Old Man and Old Woman step onto the stage. Old Woman says that Anowa deserves all of the scorn that she has received from the villagers. She says that if Anowa knew her place—as a woman inherently inferior to men—she would be grateful for what she had. The Old Man disagrees, arguing that it is precisely Anowa’s desire for independence and her unpredictability that make her a worthy agent of change. They agree once again to observe the unhappy couple and to keep their further remarks to themselves.