Reginald Jefferson

World Theatre History II

Carol Jordan

4/8/23

Rituals, Rich People and Righteousness

My goodness do I love a good ritualistic suicide in theatre. Exploring the different ways

that various cultures view and celebrate death is such an interesting concept to explore in art, and

Wole Soyinka does this brilliantly; while also highlighting the atrocities committed by the

British colonization. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this play, and since it was based on real

events, I’ve decided to frame my reading response on the Historical Connections that this play

has regarding African culture and social issues.

I was baffled when I learned that this play was based on real events. Baffled not because I

was surprised that the British decided to put a stop to traditions and customs that they didn’t

understand, but baffled because of how wrong they were without realizing it. In 1946, just after

the events of World War II, the events that took place in this play really happened in Oyo, a

Yoruba city in Nigeria. A Colonial District Officer interfered in the lives of native people and

caused a disaster. For Soyinka, this play likely wasn’t just a recollection of past events, but an

homage to Nigerian traditions that were stamped out due to colonization. This show is speaking

out against cultural erasure through the perspectives of these characters who had their lives

ruined.

Speaking on which, I would be remiss not to highlight exactly how this show draws

historical significance. Not only are the events based off of real things that happen, but notably

we get to see both sides of the story. The first characters you meet are the Yoruba, who are doing
the final preparations for the death of Elesin Oba. These preparations are, of course, based on

real traditions practiced by the Yoruba people after the death of the king. Initially, I found the

language they used a little difficult to understand and keep up with, but after finishing the play

and looking into it I found out that Soyinka used actual Yoruba proverbs in this piece, which is

why the language is so poetic and metaphorical. I found impressive the attention to detail to even

the language the Yoruba used was incorporated, clearly trying to convey to the audience the

beauty and authenticity of these people’s traditions. This is contrasted by the British, who parade

around in the garbs of other traditions and call them savages. Clearly, Soyinka believes that the

British were to blame for all that took place, and all would be well if they (to be blunt) minded

their own damn business.

Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman paints a very clear picture of war and society;

colonization ruins cultures, traditions, and people. It follows the pattern of many African plays

that highlight the differences between cultures and how those differences can spark conflict.

British (and also just Western) culture would teach us that ideas like ritualistic suicide are absurd

and against the social order, but to specific cultures and in many customs, it is seen as

maintaining social and cosmic order. To these people, this ritual, this tradition, meant keeping

the world turning, and it was ruined by colonialism and Western ideals, like many things have

been. A very valuable lesson can be learned when we take a moment to contemplate the ending

of this play… should’ve just let the man die.

 Bibliography

(31), leopantro, (74), jerrybanfield, (66), steemitboard, (25), femia, & (25), oifesanmi.

(n.d.). 50 Yoruba proverbs and idioms. Steemit. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from

https://steemit.com/nigeria/@leopantro/50-yoruba-proverbs-and-idioms

17, D. D. N. (2021, November 12). On wole soyinka's death and the king's horseman.

Literary Hub. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://lithub.com/on-wole-soyinkas-death-

and-the-kings-horseman/