lion and the jewel written by wole soyinka

These accurately match the language of his complex characters to their social position and moral qualities.

His best works exhibit humour and fine poetic style as well as a gift for irony and satire. His symbolism, flashbacks and ingenious plotting contribute to a rich dramatic structure. His works reveal him as a humanist, a courageous man and a lover of justice. This was in recognition of the way he “fashions the drama of existence”. In 1986, he became the first sub-Saharan African, and is one of only five Africans, to be awarded the Nobel prize for literature. The Nigerian playwright, novelist, poet and essayist is a giant among his contemporaries. He is a teacher, an ideologue, a scholar and an iconoclast, an elder statesman, a patriot and a culturalist. Entrance Fee R35.Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, known simply as Wole Soyinka, can’t be easily described. The Lion and the Jewel runs in the Courtyard Theatre at DUT from August 25 to 31 at 19h00. Assisting with the production is masters student in the department of languages and translation, Tope Adekunle, who is studying the works of Soyinka and will act as a literary consultant and costume designer. The Lion and the Jewel is directed by Brian Pearce, Associate Professor of DUT Drama Studies, and features second and third year students in the roles. This has driven a wedge between the traditionalists and the modernists. This is resisted in turn by the tribal people who see no point in obtaining an education as it serves no apparent use in their daily lives. It gently prods a finger at the colonialism versus African culture debate, as the educated people in the village seek to spread their knowledge to the tribal people in an attempt to make them more modern. The story reminds us of the need for careful navigation and sensitivity in the conflict between Western influences and traditional beliefs. How the Lion hunts the Jewel is the theme of this comedy-drama.

Lakunle is portrayed as the civilized antithesis of Baroka and unilaterally attempts to modernize his community and change its social conventions for no reason other than the fact that he can. It chronicles how Baroka fights with the modern Lakunle over the right to marry Sidi. Then there’s Lakunle, the young teacher influenced by western ways, and Sadiku, the eldest of Baroka's wives.

Set in the Yoruba village of Ilunjinle, the main characters are Sidi (‘the Jewel’), 'a true village belle', and Baroka (‘the Lion’) the crafty and powerful Chief of the village. It will be staged by Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Department of Drama Studies. Written by Wole Soyinka, Nigeria’s foremost playwright, The Lion and the Jewel is a topical comedy-drama dealing with the rapid modernisation of Africa, coupled with the evangelisation of the population.

Lion and the jewel written by wole soyinka