For a good interpretation of the role of Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Oba Aderoju in the 2022 movie Anikulapo, it is important to first look at ancient Yoruba practises.

More so, there might be a clear track to understanding how communication between kings and subjects worked from the movie Anikulapo.

It was a common convention for a Yoruba King to have a mouthpiece or more. Ashohun Oba as he is called in Anikilapo was Oba Aderoju’s. In all the scenes that he appeared in, Oba Aderoju the King of Ijuomo whispers to his mouthpiece who then tells the subject what the king has said.

Also, to recall a bit, there is a scene where Ashohun Oba comes to get Anikulapo for the first time, and he immediately clarifies that anything he says is from the King. This attempts to explain why the role was set up in that way.

The role of Oba Aderoju was a simple one that didn’t require Hakeem Kae-Kazim to have speaking lines. However, it has relevance in a 2022 movie set many centuries back.

Traditionally, Yoruba palaces chiefs and elders wrap speech in euphemism making it impossible for the common person to understand. It was for a couple of reasons but mostly secrecy.

The job of the mouthpiece is to pass this message to the audience in simpler words and sometimes, having to walk around in the village with a gong and travel to other kingdoms or realms to spread words from his king.

Anikulapo would be incomplete without the presence of Oba Aderoju and his mouthpiece.

Anikulapo

This is a mythical migration story. A man, Saro (Kunle Remi), who introduces himself as a weaver, is received in a new town and given a place among the people. It didn’t take long for him to betray the king and he was sent away, dead.

A deep mystery about a mythical bird that is relevant to Yoruba beliefs is then revealed in the following scenes.

Saro, who was a sojourner in the first place is sent packing from the village and he leaves in search of a new home. This time he has company, the wife of the king he had been having an affair with, Arolake and also a gift which he is about to find out about.