Lisabi: The Uprising is the latest Nollywood epic production on Netflix. It’s a historical feature that follows a farmer from Egba (a place in Ogun State) who built a local resistance movement against the old Oyo Empire’s oppression. The film’s production comes from the stable of Niyi Akinmolayan’s Anthill Studios and stars veteran and new actors such as Jide Kosoko, Odunlade Adekola, Efe Irele, Liquorous Afije, etc.
In the movie, Ibrahim Chatta (Sangodeyin) and Lateef Adedimeji (Lisabi) had scores to settle, but we had other lessons to pick from it.
These are the seven lessons we’re taking from Lisabi:
The Old Oyo Empire feels like Nigeria
Oloyo could cut off the head of another king or burn a village to the ground over tributes (a share of what people harvest from their farms). Oloyo would take from them without giving any in return. It’s just like present day Nigeria with powerful leaders, their yes-men, and the sufferhead citizens. Just look at Oloyo and his subjects.
Don’t play with your job
If you have to work because you want to impress someone, there’s a high chance you won’t make it out of the trenches. It might have worked for Osokenu, but if you don’t work, nothing for you.
Protect your own
It’s justifiable to go to war for your loved ones like Osokenu did for his babe Abebi, and Lisabi did to fight against their village’s oppressors.
Rise against tyranny
Don’t wait until your tormentor pushes beyond the wall before you fight back for your right. No one will do it for you. You have to yourself, like Egba, revolted against Oyo.
There’s strength in community
The people of Egba needed to produce more food because the Oloyo tribute collectors were taking too much from them. Lisabi suggested that everyone in the village should work on each other’s farms to increase planting and yields. When the harvesting period came, it was bountiful.
One good turn deserves another
Despite the Alake of Egba’s instruction that Lisabi and others should stop the teamwork on farmlands, some picked up their tools and called Lisabi to work on his farm. Although he rejected the offer, it was a way of supporting Lisabi after his collective farming idea proved brilliant and kept food in their barns.
You’re bigger than your problems
Lisabi fought the dreaded leader of the tribute collectors and he didn’t only whoop his ass, he took his head home. Other Egba people took out their weapons to fight oppression too.
