A Dance Of The Forest by Wole Soyinka

Hello, I am Himanshi Parmar, student of MK Bhavnagar University. This blog i have written as a response to Thinking Activity, Which is a Part of my academic Work. Which we get after each unit. In this blog, i am going to discuss famous play A Dance of the Forest by Wole Soinka. Also attached video recording on Part - 3 and ending of the play prepared by myself.

About Wole Soyinka

Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist who was the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. He is known for his works that address social and political issues in Nigeria and Africa, as well as for his criticism of authoritarian governments. He has also been an active participant in Nigerian politics and human rights activism.

Wole Soyinka was born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He was educated in Nigeria, the UK, and the USA, where he received a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Leeds. Soyinka's literary career began in the 1950s and has spanned over six decades, during which he has written numerous plays, poems, and essays.

His plays, such as "The Lion and the Jewel" and "Death and the King's Horseman," draw heavily on traditional Yoruba culture and incorporate elements of myth and ritual. Soyinka's works often explore the themes of freedom, justice, and the struggle against oppressive forces.

In addition to his literary achievements, Soyinka has been a prominent activist for human rights and democracy in Nigeria. He has been arrested and imprisoned several times for his political activism, including during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s.

Soyinka has received numerous awards and honors for his literary and political contributions, including the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and the Julius Nyerere Prize for Literature. He continues to be an influential voice in Nigerian and global politics, literature, and culture.

About A Dance of The Forest

"A Dance of the Forests" is a play written by Wole Soyinka in 1960, which was performed in celebration of Nigeria's independence from British colonial rule. The play is a satirical allegory that critiques the political and social landscape of Nigeria at the time.The play features a group of characters who journey into a forest to commemorate the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The forest is populated by various figures from Nigerian folklore, such as the god Ogun and the spirit Eshuro. Through their interactions with these figures, the characters confront the challenges facing Nigeria's new democracy, such as corruption, tribalism, and the struggle for power.

Soyinka's use of Nigerian folklore in "A Dance of the Forests" reflects his belief that African writers should draw on their cultural heritage to create a distinct literary tradition. The play's themes of political corruption and social upheaval are relevant not just to Nigeria but to many postcolonial societies. "A Dance of the Forests" is an important work in the canon of African literature and remains a powerful critique of political and social systems that fail to serve the people they govern.

The play is set in a forest where a group of characters have gathered to commemorate the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The forest is populated by various figures from Nigerian folklore, such as the god Ogun, the spirit Eshu, and the Queen of the Forest. These figures represent different aspects of Nigerian society and offer critiques of the characters' actions.

The central conflict of the play arises between two groups of characters, the Abiku and the Forest People. The Abiku represent the old order and are resistant to change, while the Forest People want to create a new society that is free from corruption and oppression. The Abiku are portrayed as being out of touch with the reality of Nigeria's changing political landscape and clinging to the past.

As the play progresses, the characters encounter a number of challenges that highlight the difficulties facing Nigeria's new democracy. These challenges include corruption, tribalism, and the struggle for power. The characters are forced to confront these issues and come to terms with the fact that change is necessary for Nigeria to move forward.

Through its use of allegory and satire, "A Dance of the Forests" offers a critique of political corruption and social upheaval in Nigeria. The play highlights the challenges facing postcolonial societies and the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom. It remains an important work in the canon of African literature and a powerful reminder of the need for political and social change.

Video recording of third part

I hope this blog will be helpful to you. Thank you!