Summary
Prologue
Anowa begins with the appearance of the Old Man and Old Woman, collectively known as The-Mouth-That-Eats-Salt-and-Pepper. They introduce the story, highlighting the peculiar nature of a girl named Anowa. Anowa has consistently refused to marry any suitors for several years. Many suspect that her mother, Badua, has spoiled her, which might explain her unusual behavior. The Old Woman believes Anowa was destined to be a priestess, but Badua has denied her that fate.
Phase 1
In the 1870s, in the Ghanaian village of Yebi, Anowa is fetching water for her mother when she encounters Kofi Ako. They exchange smiles, and their interaction is witnessed by a woman and her husband. The woman, engrossed in watching them, drops her tray, causing Anowa and Kofi to laugh.
Inside Anowa's parents' cottage, Badua is cooking and voicing her worries about Anowa’s refusal to marry. Her husband, Osam, enters and tells her she complains too much. He is unconcerned about Anowa’s marital status and reminds Badua that he once suggested Anowa should be apprenticed to a priestess. Badua is appalled by the idea, refusing to let her only surviving child become a priestess, as she does not consider them “people.” Osam argues that since Anowa is not an ordinary person, it might not be a bad path for her.
Anowa returns and announces that she has agreed to marry Kofi Ako. Badua reacts with anger, believing Kofi Ako to be worthless despite his good looks. She tries to involve Osam in the conversation, but he refuses to take sides.
Later, Anowa is packing her belongings, and she and her mother argue about her impending marriage. Anowa asserts that she likes Kofi Ako, while Badua disparages his family. Osam contradicts Badua, claiming that his family has produced good husbands. Anowa vows not to return to Yebi for a long time and promises to help her husband succeed. Badua lists all of Kofi Ako’s shortcomings, and the argument nearly turns physical.
At the end of the phase, the Old Man and Old Woman reappear. The Old Woman laments that children have become more disobedient, while the Old Man suggests that Badua should be grateful that Anowa is getting married at all.
Phase 2
A few years later, Kofi and Anowa are traveling along the highway to the coast, carrying skins to sell. They take refuge from the rain in a thicket. Kofi Ako worries that the work might be too demanding for Anowa. She reassures him that she is strong enough. Anowa even suggests that Kofi marry another wife to help them out, which upsets him. As their conversation progresses, it becomes evident that they haven't had a child yet, a distressing issue for both of them, and they are unsure of the reason. Anowa falls asleep, and Kofi Ako reveals that people often mistake his hardworking wife for his sister. He hopes she will eventually settle down and behave more like a conventional wife.
The next day, they dry their skins in the sun. Kofi Ako still doesn't understand why Anowa enjoys working and suggests that they buy slaves to ease their workload. Anowa is horrified by the idea and refuses to consider it. Kofi Ako is baffled by her stance and insists they should do it because everyone else does, among other reasons.
Meanwhile, at Anowa's parents' cottage, Badua and Osam discuss their daughter. Osam admits he always feared Anowa's peculiar nature and worries that she will never return, leaving them without knowing their grandchildren. Badua informs him that Anowa has not had children, and they speculate on the reasons why. Badua wants...
(This entire section contains 1180 words.)
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to go and find her, but Osam reassures her that Anowa is not lost. They reveal that Anowa and Kofi Ako have become wealthy due to their growing number of slaves. While Osam understands that Anowa is unhappy about owning slaves, Badua dismisses her concerns as foolish.
Later on the highway, a better-dressed Kofi Ako leads several slaves carrying loads of skins. Anowa calls out to him, frustrated that she cannot keep up despite not carrying a load. He pays more attention to his slaves than to her. Anowa expresses her unhappiness about not working and her reluctance to stay at home. She again suggests that Kofi Ako marry another wife, which angers him. This leads to a discussion about their lack of children, which Anowa assumes is her fault. Her restlessness worries him, and he suggests buying female slaves to keep her company. Kofi Ako becomes angry and wishes she were different and had children. Anowa can only laugh.
The Old Man reappears, expressing his disapproval of slavery. The Old Woman enters, believing that Anowa is a witch and has come from evil.
Phase 3
Years later, Kofi Ako has become a wealthy man with numerous slaves and a large house in Oguaa. Anowa enters, dressed in worn clothes and barefoot. She appears aged as she recounts a troubling incident from his childhood.
The scene shifts slightly, revealing two young slaves, a boy and a girl, discussing Anowa and Kofi Ako, whom they are instructed to call Mother and Father. The girl mentions that some people claim Anowa is a witch, but she feels sympathy for her mistress's increasing sadness. Kofi Ako has told Anowa to leave but refuses to explain why. The girl envies the life Anowa could have, filled with jewels and free from labor.
Anowa quietly enters the room and overhears part of their conversation. The girl comments that Kofi Ako is afraid of women. The boy chases her out of the room. Adorned with much gold, Kofi Ako enters and sits on a throne-like chair. He still wishes Anowa would conform to the behavior of other women, while she dislikes owning slaves and not working. Her habits of wearing shabby clothes and sneaking around the house disturb him. Since they remain childless, Anowa suggests finding him another wife. Kofi Ako accuses her of ruining him and demands she leave, but refuses to explain why. Anowa declines to leave because she has nowhere else to go and prefers to live separately within the house as they have for years.
As Anowa ponders the reasons, she has a sudden realization. She instructs the boy slave to summon some elders. She asks them if they have ever heard of a husband wanting to divorce his wife without providing a reason. None have, so Anowa sends them to consult others on the matter. Kofi Ako threatens to label her a witch if she persists and offers her half their wealth if she leaves. He calls the boy and instructs him to help her pack.
Anowa refuses to let him send her away. She reveals that they have not been intimate for years and accuses him of being impotent in front of the boy and several other slaves. As Kofi Ako exits, she decides to leave. Suddenly, Kofi Ako shoots himself offstage. At the play's conclusion, the Old Woman reports that Anowa drowned herself. She blames Anowa for the deaths, while the Old Man believes Anowa stayed true to herself.