The Beads of Imaguero

“The beads of Imaguero” is a stage play about the often-misused expression, “marriages made in heavens”. This play brings out two types of attractions – the “Mental” and “Physical”. From the play, we are to look closely at the two different types of attractions. What do we call the attraction on earth between Uke, a mere lowly, cripple porter at the palace of Oba Esigie and Imaguero; and the attraction between a hard working but lowly status lady and Uke.

In the first story, Imaguero is seen pestering Uke in Heaven to marry her (Uke was not a cripple in Heaven). Imaguero asked Uke to give her thirteen coral beads as dowry payment. Uke could only provide just two coral beads. But he heard that the earth had lots of coral beads. Meanwhile, there was another lady in Heaven who had presented herself to Uke for almost free without any difficult strings attached to marrying her. Her name was Eka. But ironically, it was the coral beads loving Imaguero that he was often with, that had expensive taste.

Uke goes to the Almighty God to inform him that he would want to go to earth on a flying visit to make his fortune and get the remaining eleven coral beads for Imaguero. God gave him the go-ahead. But Uke did not listen to his guardian Angel for him to make the necessary sacrifices to the divinities before setting out on his journey to earth. Uke told his guardian angel that by the time he becomes a big man close to the corridors of power, he would have the necessary means to make as many sacrifices as he wanted. Imaguero and Eka at different times also approached the Divine Court of God to ask to be allowed to follow Uke and their wishes were approved.