The Forest Must Scream

Description

Under the misguided leadership of Chief Kamona, the people of Mballa village voraciously destroy their forests for fuelwood and money. However, most of the revenue goes to Kamona and his family. When the national government dispatches Functionary, a forestry agent, to caution them against the illegal and wanton destruction of their forests, Kamona and his people chase him away from their community. They won’t also heed the counsel of Kamona’s young nephew, Toubili who tries in vain to convince them that Functionary is right. Chief Kamona and his people focus their defiance against the government by cutting down even more trees, determined that the forest must scream and bleed in their hands. Will Kamona and his people survive the devastating consequences of their destruction of the forest?

Praise for “The Forest Must Scream”

“The playwright presents the dynamics of the involvement of local communities in the climate change debate in a very engaging manner. The play focuses on the percolation of the environmental protection discourses at the local level, stressing the indispensable need for better communication as well as synergy between traditional and state authorities. In effect, finding common ground between global concepts, state policy and local practices constitutes a crucial ingredient of legitimacy building, co-responsibility and trust in tackling environmental issues.”
-Gilbert Ndi-Shang
Author of The Radio and Other Stories, University of Bayreuth, Germany