Chapter 6: Discussion
6.2 Constructs to categories
Data obtained from quantitative content analysis were presented in cross-tabs showing patterns of distribution of the categories across the years of release of the films. The categories measured were major character, film setting, dominant theme, role(s) attributed to a royal, power exercised by a royal personality, attitude of a royal towards subjects, conduct of a royal towards a non-royal, royal attributes emphasised, charismatic traits attributed to a non-royal, and general character verdict on a royal.
Table 4.1.
Major Character
Major Character
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015
King 0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
25%
N = 1
0%
N = 0
5%
N = 1
Queen 25%
N = 1
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
25%
N = 1
10%
N = 2
Prince 25%
N = 1
50%
N = 2
25%
N = 1
25%
N = 1
25%
N = 1
30%
N = 6 Princess 0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
50%
N = 2
50%
N = 2
0%
N = 0
20%
N = 4
Others 50%
N = 2
50%
N = 2
25%
N = 1
0%
N = 0
50%
N = 2
35%
N = 7
Total 100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 20 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.1 shows the categories of royal personalities that featured as the major character in the films across the years of study. Across the twenty years, the scenes about other people that are not royals featured most with 35%. This is followed by the scenes that featured the prince with 30%, then the scenes of princess and the king with 20% and 10% respectively. Thus, a king featured least frequently as the major character while other persons, a prince, and a princess featured most frequently, in that order. This may be implied that a kingdom is not all about the king rather about the people; a king becomes irrelevant without the people to rule. So, a king relevance depends on the existence of the people in as much as he rules them, the king is because the people are. It can also be deduced from this table that in Igboland, the glory and authority of a king is seen in his immediate family; the members of the the king’s family are as well very important to the kingdom and are very well relevant to the affairs of the kingdom.
Table 4.2.
Film Setting
Setting
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015
Period 25%
N = 1
50%
N = 2
50%
N = 2
50%
N = 2
0%
N = 0
35%
N = 7 Contemporary 50%
N = 2
50%
N = 2
25%
N = 1
25%
N = 1
100%
N = 4
50%
N = 10
Mixed 25%
N = 1
0%
N = 0
25%
N = 1
25%
N = 1
0%
N = 0
15%
N = 3
Total 100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 20 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.2 shows that 25% of the films released between 1996 and 1999 were period movies, 50% in the contemporary time, while 25% was a mixture of period and contemporary. Also, 50% of the films released between 2000 and 2003 were period movies; another 50% were set in the contemporary, while none (0%) was a mixture of ancient and contemporary settings. Further, 50% of the films released between 2004 and 2007 were period movies, 25% were contemporary, while another 25% was a mixture of period and contemporary movies. Similarly, 50% of the
films released between 2008 and 2011 were period movies, 25% were contemporary, while 25%
was a mixture of period and contemporary. Lastly, none (0%) of the films released between 2012 and 2015 was period movies, 100% were contemporary while none (0%) was a mixture of ancient and contemporary settings. These data indicate that there appears not to be a significant variation across the years (from 1996 to 2015) in terms of film setting. Overall, there is preponderance of period and contemporary settings meaning that the films tended to be usually more specific in terms of time setting; they tended not to integrate the period and the modern historical settings in their narratives.
Table 4.3.
Dominant Theme
Dominant Theme
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015 War/Strife/
Conflict/Struggle
100%
N = 4
50%
N = 2
25%
N = 1
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
35%
N = 7 Love/Romance 0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
50%
N = 2
100%
N = 4
25%
N = 1
35%
N = 7
Intrigue 0%
N = 0
50%
N = 2
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
10%
N = 2
Crime 0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
50%
N = 2
10%
N = 2
Others 0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
25%
N = 1
0%
N = 0
25%
N = 1
10%
N = 2
Total 100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 4
100%
N = 20 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.3 shows that 100% of the films released between 1996 and 1999 had war/strife/conflict/struggle theme. Also, 50% of the films released between 2000 and 2003 had war/strife/conflict/struggle theme, Further, 25% of the films released between 2004 and 2007 had war/strife/conflict/struggle theme and 50% had love/romance theme, In the same vein, 100%
of films released between 2008 and 2011 had themes based on love/romance These data show that in the earlier years, there was a preponderance of war/strife/conflict/struggle and intrigue themes in the films while the later years (particularly from 2004 to 2011) saw dominance of
films centred on the themes of love/romance and crime. But overall, the theme of war/strife/conflict/struggle significantly featured across 12 years (1996 – 2007) out of the 20 years studied. This may be as a result of the fact that monarchy is a political institution that may agitate conflict over land boundaries, freedom from oppression, crown heritage and so is often likely to generate narratives of power struggle, war and other forms of conflict. Moreover, people want to be identified with the royals and there may tend to be competition on who the royals associate with in terms of romantic relationships.
Table 4.4.
Role(s) Attributed to a Royal (By Scenes) Role(s) Attributed
To
A Royal (by scenes)
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015 Domestic role 14.1%
N = 22
5.3%
N = 10
22.2%
N = 43
45.9%
N = 85
42.3%
N = 82
26.4%
N = 242 Political role 40.4%
N = 63
51.4%
N = 96
49.5%
N = 96
22.2%
N = 41
22.1%
N = 43
37%
N = 339
Economic role 0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
0%
N = 0
1%
N = 2
0.2%
N = 2 Spiritual role 10.2%
N = 16
7%
N = 13
3.1%
N = 6
1.6%
N = 22
0%
N = 0
6.2%
N = 57
Others 0%
N = 0
14.4%
N = 27
10.8%
N = 21
11.9%
N = 18
19.1%
N = 37
11.6%
N = 103 Not Applicable 35.3%
N = 55
21.9%
N = 41
14.4%
N = 28
10.3%
N = 19
15.4%
N = 30
18.9%
N = 173
Total 100%
N = 156
100%
N = 187
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 185
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 916 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.4 shows that 40.4% of the scenes in the films released between 1996 and 1999 portrayed the royals in a political role.. Similarly, 51.4% of the scenes in the films released between 2000 and 2003 portrayed the royals in a political role. In the same vein, 49.5% of the scenes in the films released between 2004 and 2007 portrayed them in a political role. Also, 45.9% of the scenes in the films released between 2008 and 2011 portrayed the royals in a political role,
42.3% of the scenes in the films released between 2012 and 2015 portrayed the royals in a domestic role and 22.1% portrayed them in a political role. Hence, over the 20-year-period, there was preponderance of political and domestic roles in the portrayal of the royals with political role featuring most. The dominance of political role appears to stem from the fact that royalty is basically about power, influence and prestige which are constituents of politics. On the other hand, the prominence of domestic role may have stemmed from the fact that a good number of the scenes centred on happenings in the royal household including familial relationships among members. However, the near absence of spiritual role in the characterisation of the royals may have been inspired by the near disappearance of the spiritual functions of the Igbo royals in the face of Christianisation that significantly diminished the influence of the traditional religion (Afigbo, 1986).
Table 4.5.
Power Exercised by a Royal Personality (By Scenes) Power Exercised By
A Royal Personality (by scenes)
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015
Dictatorial 30.8%
N = 48
21.9%
N = 41
13.9%
N = 27
16.8%
N = 31
12.9%
N = 25
18.7%
N = 172
Liberal 3.8%
N = 6
6.4%
N = 12
35.6%
N = 69
35.1%
N = 65
44.3%
N = 86
26%
N = 238 Not Applicable 65.4%
N = 102
71.7%%
N = 134
50.5%
N = 98
48.1%
N = 89
42.8%
N = 83
55.3%
N = 506
Total 100%
N = 156
100%
N = 187
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 185
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 916 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.5 shows that 55.3% of the scenes in the films released over the twenty years did not lend themselves to such consideration because of the nature of the scenes. Also, 26% of the scenes in the films the royals as liberal, while 18.7% presented the royals as dictatorial. Hence, across the 20 years, there was dominance of liberal power in portrayal of the royals, particularly among the films released later. This pattern may be a reflection of the more democratic, more republican nature of the traditional Igbo society as against the decisively dictatorial monarchies of Benin and Oyo empires, (Adebayo, 2011; Durojaiye, 2013; Nnadozie, 2014).
Table 4.6.
Attitude of a Royal Towards Subjects (By Scenes) Attitude of a Royal
Towards Subjects (by scenes)
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015
Benevolent 9.6%
N = 15
3.2%
N = 6
13.9%
N = 27
18.4%
N = 34
14.4%
N = 28
12%
N = 110
Wicked 22.4%
N = 35
20.3%
N = 38
11.9%
N = 23
10.3%
N = 19
12.4%
N = 24
15.2%
N = 139
Indifferent 6.4%
N = 10
9.6%
N = 18
20.6%
N = 40
22.7%
N = 42
32.5%
N = 63
18.8%
N = 173 Not Applicable 61.5%
N = 96
66.8%
N = 125
53.6%
N = 104
48.6%
N = 90
40.7%
N = 79
55.9%
N = 494
Total 100%
N = 156
100%
N = 187
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 185
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 916 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.6 shows that 9.6% of the scenes in the films released from 1996 – 1999 portrayed the royals as benevolent towards the subjects, 22.4% portrayed them as wicked, 6.4% portrayed them as indifferent, while 61.5% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration.
Furthermore, 3.2% of the scenes in the films released from 2000 – 2003 portrayed the royals as benevolent towards the subjects, 20.3% portrayed them as wicked, 9.6% portrayed them as indifferent, while 66.8% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Similarly, 9.6% of the scenes in the films released from 2004 – 2007 portrayed the royals as benevolent towards the subjects, 11.9% portrayed them as wicked, 20.6% portrayed them as indifferent, while 53.6% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Again, 18.4% of the scenes in the films released from 2008 – 2011 portrayed the royals as benevolent towards the subjects, 10.3% portrayed them as wicked, 22.7% portrayed them as indifferent, while 48.6% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Lastly, 14.4% of the scenes in the films released from 2012 – 2015 portrayed the royals as benevolent towards the subjects, 12.4%
portrayed them as wicked, 32.5% portrayed them as indifferent, while 40.7% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Overall, benevolence and wickedness featured almost evenly as the attitude portrayed of royals in their relationship with their subjects. There was
dominance of indifference and which frequency increased with the progression of years. This may imply that the royals were mainly portrayed as being detached in dealing with their subjects as against acting with bias – positive or negative. Also, the portrayal of their attitudes depict that the king is ether liberal or wicked. It showed that the early years, kings were portrayed as wicked, owning powers to banish or kill but in later years, there appeared the liberal attitude and cases of indifference, which may imply that civilization and christedom tend to play some roles in this growth as they tend to teach tolerance, forgiveness, service in leadership, love, unity et cetera.
Table 4.7.
Royal Attribute(s) Emphasised (By Scenes) Royal Attribute(s)
Emphasised (by scenes)
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015
Power 18.6%
N = 29
13.4%
N = 23
26.8%
N = 52
23.8%
N = 44
15.5%
N = 30
19.7%
N = 180
Wealth 0%
N = 0
1.1%
N = 2
3.1%
N = 6
3.2%
N = 6
14.9%
N = 29
4.7%
N = 43 Dignity of
Conduct
6.4%
N = 10
7.5%
N = 14
14.4%
N = 28
15.1%
N = 28
13.9%
N = 27
11.7%
N = 107
Others 10.3%
N = 16
1.1%
N = 2
2.6%
N = 5
1.6%
N = 3
7.7%
N = 15
4.5%
N = 41 Not Applicable 64.7%
N = 101
77%
N = 144
53.1%
N = 103
56.2%
N = 104
48%
N = 93
59.5%
N = 545
Total 100%
N = 156
100%
N = 187
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 185
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 916 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.8 shows that 18.6% of the scenes in films released between 1996 and 1999 emphasised power as the attribute of the royals, 0% emphasised wealth, 6.4% emphasised dignity of conduct, 10.3% emphasised other attributes, while 64.7% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Also, 13.4% of the scenes in films released between 2000 and 2003 emphasised power as the attribute of the royals, 1.1% emphasised wealth, 7.5% emphasised dignity of conduct, 1.1% emphasised other attributes, while 77% of the scenes did not lend themselves to
such consideration. Furthermore, 26.8% of the scenes in films released between 2004 and 2007 emphasised power as the attribute of the royals, 3.1% emphasised wealth, 14.4% emphasised dignity of conduct, 2.6% emphasised other attributes, while 53.1% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Similarly, 23.8% of the scenes in films released between 2008 and 2011 emphasised power as the attribute of the royals, 3.2% emphasised wealth, 15.1%
emphasised dignity of conduct, 1.6% emphasised other attributes, while 56.2% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Lastly, 15.5% of the scenes in films released between 2012and 2015 emphasised power as the attribute of the royals, 14.9% emphasised wealth, 13.9%
emphasised dignity of conduct, 7.7% emphasised other attributes, while 48% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Overall, power was the dominant attribute across the years which tend to reflect the data in Table 4.4 showing preponderance of portrayal of the royals in a political role across the scenes. Dignity of conduct was also significant suggesting that the filmmakers viewed this as an important attribute of Igbo monarchy.
Table 4.8.
General Character Verdict on a Royal (By Scenes) General Character
Verdict on a Royal (by scenes)
Year of Release Total
1996 to 1999
2000 to 2003
2004 to 2007
2008 to 2011
2012 to 2015
Strength 12.2%
N = 19
20.3%
N = 38
43.8%
N = 85
35.8%
N = 70
37.1%
N = 72
31%
N = 284
Weakness 22.4%
N = 35
18.2%
N = 34
10.3%
N = 20
20.5%
N = 38
21.2%
N = 43
18.6%
N = 170 Not Applicable 65.4%
N = 102
61.5%
N = 115
45.9%
N = 89
39.7%
N = 77
40.7%
N = 79
50.4%
N = 462
Total 100%
N = 156
100%
N = 187
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 185
100%
N = 194
100%
N = 916 Source: Fieldwork 2019
Table 4.10 shows that 31% of the scenes in the films released across the twenty years portrayed the royals as generally strong, 18.6% portrayed them as generally weak, while 50.4% of the scenes did not lend themselves to such consideration. Overall, the royals were portrayed as dominantly strong and the frequency was higher in the later years. This suggests that kings are
seen as strong individual who should never be intimidated by another individual, must be strong enough even in times of war, decision making and calamity. To the filmmakers, a royal should more often than not emerge a hero and not a villain.