Death and

the King’s
Horseman:
Olunde
 Who is Olunde?

● In his thirties
● Eldest son of Elesin Oba
● Therefore destined to become the
next king’s horseman
● Four years prior to the start of the
play, Olunde was sent to England to
study medicine by Pilkings.
● Represents the mix between western
and the Yoruba culture in the play
 Olunde’s key quotes
● Olunde (mildly) And that is the good cause for which you desecrate an
ancestral mask? (scene 4, page 54)
● Olunde I don’t find it morbid at all. I find it rather inspiring. It is an affirmative
commentary on life. (scene 4, page 56)
● Olunde How can I make you understand? He has protection.No one can
undertake what he does tonight without the deepest protection the mind can
conceive. What can you offer him in place of his peace of mind, in place of the
honour and veneration of his own people? What would you think of your Prince
if he had refused to accept the risk of losing his life on this voyage? This . . .
showing-the-flag tour of colonial possessions (scene 4, page 57)
 Olunde’s key quotes
● Olunde Don’t think it was just the war. Before that even started I had plenty of
time to study your people. I saw nothing, finally, that gave you the right to pass
judgement on other peoples and their ways. Nothing at all. (scene 4, page 59)
● Olunde Yes Mrs Pilkings, my father is dead. His will-power has always been
enormous; I know he is dead. (scene 4, page 60)
● Olunde It’s nothing Mrs Pilkings. And I’m really anxious to go. I couldn’t see my
father before, it’s forbidden for me, his heir and successor, to set eyes on him
from the moment of the King’s death. But now…I would like to touch his body
while it's still warm.(scene 4, page 61)
● Olunde (quietly) That was my father’s voice.(scene 4, page 66)
● Olunde (he moves for the first time since he heard his voice, brings his head
slowly down to look on him) I have no father eater of leftovers. (scene 4,
page 66)
How does Soyinka powerfully convey Olunde’s thoughts and feelings about Yoruba
traditions?
Response:
Even though Olunde has spent lots of time in England, we can assume that he has slowly adopted the British way
of thinking, he still holds high regards for the Yoruba culture and traditions. This is evidenced by what he says. He
still obviously holds high respect for the traditions. For example, Olunde is disappointed at Mrs. Pilkings at the start
of Scene 4, as she is wearing an Egungun. (ancestral mask deriving from Yoruba tradition). Furthermore, he finds
the sacrifice of the ship captain “inspiring”, and an “affirmative commentary on life”.
Olunde still obviously admires the Yoruba traditions. Soyinka conveys this thought through his dialog. Olunde is not
shocked when he learns of his death, shocking Mrs. Pilkings. However, he is not heartless ; he knew that this death
was necessary to continue the Yoruba tradition. However, as he hears his father’s voice, and learns that he isn’t
actually dead, he disregards his father completely, even going as far as calling him an “eater of leftovers”. He is in
disdain, shocked that his father was unable to carry out his duty.
At the end of the play, Olunde performs the suicide at the place of Elesin. As the heir and the successor of the
current King’s Horseman, he sacrifices himself to restore order in the world. Soyinka uses this moment to convey
Olunde’s thoughts about Yoruba traditions, showing that he holds high regards for the Yoruba tradition and still
understands it. He thus sacrifices himself, as, without it, the Yoruba world will descend into chaos and madness.