The Lion and the Jewel

Sidi is still engrossed with her pictures in the magazine spread. She is torn away from admiring herself by a furtive Sadiku, who enters the scene with a bundle. Sidi watches in amazement as Sadiku reveals a statue, a naked figure of the Bale. Sadiku begins mocking the Bale, explaining how she and the other wives have managed to take away his virility, just as they did to previous Bales. Sadiku mocks his power over women and says the village women will continue to usurp the power of the Bales in this way. Sadiku is startled to see Sidi, and though she has been sworn to secrecy, implores Sidi to dance with her, as the Bale’s virility has been taken and he is impotent. Sidi rejoices at the news and joins Sadiku in her victory dance.

Lakunle interrupts the victory dance and Sadiku warns him not to involve himself with the affairs of women. Lakunle makes snide comments about women being mad, while Sadiku pokes fun at him and emasculates him, telling him he can stay and watch because he is not a man after all. As Lakunle attempts to figure out what the two women are so excited about, Sidi comes up with a plan to go and make fun of the Bale without him realizing that she knows he is impotent.