The “racontottes” are little stories told at evening gatherings around the fire or under the palaver tree. The six storytellers, who have much experience in performing on the African and European stages, bring stories to life. Spinning and turning, jumping back and forth, these stories take up the German invasion of Togo in 1884. Here, history becomes a jumble of anecdotes and jokes.

The storytellers narrate resistance to the Germans in many forms: mental, physical and moral. Some anecdotes come from the narrators’ families, others were inspired by history books. In the production, a still shot was chosen to symbolise the gaze of the wise man sitting apart and watching the “little” people debate.

The story of German presence in Togo begins with a protectorate treaty signed with a village unknown to the Togolese. This treaty signalled the beginning of the invasion with its punishments and forced labour. “Togoland” was born. People resisted using any means at hand. But how could the invaders be defeated if the locals had never seen firearms before? These stories find the humorous side of terrible situations, forming a both amusing and tragic portrayal of colonial life and creating disturbing parallels to official historiography.

Gakoekoe Theatre Company