The White Handkerchief

The White Handkerchief is a 1998 short Nigerian film, produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. The film was adapted from The Virgin, a debut novel of Bayo Adebowale.

The film tells the story of a young village girl called Awero, played by Sola Asedeko, who lost her virginity as a result of rape before she met her childhood love, called Odejimi, whom she decides to marry. Odejimi must use a white handkerchief to evidence the virginal blood of Awero on their wedding night as required by tradition. Odejimi is disappointed when no blood is produced and this results in a war between the villagers of Awero and Odejimi.