Eguria

  THEMES / THEMATIC PREOCCUPATION   Tradition versus Modernity   The play explores the theme of tradition and modernity in the wake of early colonialism which is the primary conflict in the play. The tradition in question is the Yoruba customs against a western conception of progress and modernity as represented by the conflict between Baroka and Lakunle for Sidi’s hand in marriage. Lakunle who represents the modern Nigerian man, wears Western clothing, speaks and behaves like an English man, and has been educated in a presumably British school.   His supreme desire is to turn llunjunle into a modern paradise like the city of Lagos.   He actively despises the traditional customs of his village and the people who pledge support to them.   This is best exemplified when Lakunle refuses to pay Sidi’s bride price.   He goes further to call the tradition that demands the payment of bride price “an ignoble customs, infamous, ignominy / sharing our ...

  AFRICAN DRAMA The Lion and the Jewel -Wole Soyinka     Brief Background of the Playwright                Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka is a playwright, poet, and essayist born in Isara, Ijebu, Ogun State, Nigeria in 1934.  He attended Government College, Ibadan for his secondary education, and the University of Ibadan and Leeds for his doctorate degree programs. After studying in Nigeria and the UK, he worked with the Royal Court Theatre in London.  His plays were produced and acted in both countries.              Soyinka won Nobel Prize for literature in 1986 as the first African to win the prestigious award.  He had also lectured comparative literature at Obafemi Awolowo University, Cornell University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, etc, Some of his other books include  The Trials of Brother Jero (1960), A Dance...