Reimagining Tragedy from Africa and the Global South

Molora

2009

In this reworking of Aeschylus’ Oresteia, Klytemnestra and Elektra face one another in a dramatic confrontation. Attempts to come to terms with their violent past echo testimonies delivered in Apartheid’s wake throughout South Africa during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Aeschylus’ chorus is replaced by Xhosa tribeswomen, who bring grace and humanity through their ancient art of split tone singing. Molora (the Sesotho word for ‘ash’) is an examination of vengeance, and the breaking of its cycles by the everyman.

The Oresteia