The crowd’s distraction and emotion gave Liyongo the moment to break free

Evidence

When the chains were nearly cut through, Liyongo sang the loudest song of his life — a song that made the women of Pate weep and the warriors of Pate take up their swords. While the people listened in the streets, dazzled by the song, Liyongo broke the chains, broke the door, broke the wall of his prison, and walked out. — , A Year of World Stories, 605