TANZANIA: AKINWANDE Oluwole Soyinka, the legendary African author and activist, is proof of what words and acts can achieve in the struggle for justice and human rights.
Soyinka, aged 90, embodies unrelenting activism and literary excellence. The importance of Soyinka’s work lies in demonstrating the powerful role of the arts and artists in society.
He has shown that literature and artistic expression can be formidable tools for challenging oppression, advocating for justice and inspiring social change.
From his early plays and poems to his recent essays and speeches, Soyinka has consistently addressed political corruption, social injustice and human rights abuses – often at great personal risk.
His works galvanise readers and audiences to think critically and act courageously.
Soyinka’s approach was shaped by his upbringing and personal experiences. Growing up in colonial Nigeria, he was exposed to oppression and inequality from an early age.\
Also Read: Punish bus conductors with vulgar language
His education, which combined traditional African culture with western literary influences, equipped him to express his vision of justice and freedom.
Political imprisonment and exile further fuelled his resolve to use his voice and pen as instruments of resistance.
This is evident in his outspoken criticism of various Nigerian governments.
The Open Sore of a Continent, a work in which he condemned the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha, affirms this.
His founding of a political party, the Democratic Front for a People’s Federation, in 2010 further shows his commitment to political activism.
As a lecturer in African literature, I teach and study Soyinka’s work and have come to appreciate him as an unswerving critic of tyranny.
He is also a masterful storyteller. Soyinka’s story takes us from a little child in Nigeria to a Nobel laureate and an international symbol of resistance.
Early years and awakening
Soyinka was born on 13 July 1934 in Abeokuta, western Nigeria. His father, an Anglican preacher and headmaster, exposed him to the colonial administration, and the conflict between native customs and enforced European standards.
His formal education began at St. Peter’s Primary School, Abeokuta, and continued at Abeokuta Grammar School. He later attended Government College in Ibadan, western Nigeria.
There, he excelled academically and was involved in various literary activities.
His critical sense of identity and resistance to colonial rule began to take shape during these years. In 1952, Soyinka entered University College Ibadan, where he studied English literature, Greek and western history. He was also exposed to the rich performance of African oral traditions, folktales and ceremonies while growing up.
These elements eventually found their way into his creative works.
At Ibadan, he was influenced by his peer, J.P. Clark-Bekederemo. Clark Bekederemo’s focus on cultural identity and colonialism inspired Soyinka to explore such themes in his writing. Later, at the University of Leeds, he was mentored by notable scholars.
Harold Hobson, a renowned British drama critic, guided Soyinka in understanding modern theatre.
Gordon Lawrence helped him appreciate the technical aspects of theatre. Arnold Kettle, a Marxist literary critic, taught him about the intersection of literature and politics.
The pulsating theatre scene at Leeds gave him opportunities to experiment with different forms of drama. These helped him develop his unique voice as a playwright.
The intellectual environment at Leeds included discussions on colonialism and social justice. All these experiences shaped his worldview, entrenching in him a commitment to challenging oppression.
What Soyinka represents in Nigerian literature Soyinka’s extensive collection of work offers a thorough analysis of Nigeria’s past and current conflicts.
He strikes a deep chord with readers with his fusion of western literary techniques with traditional Yoruba culture.
His works explore the socio-political underpinnings of Nigerian society, addressing issues like dictatorship, corruption and the pursuit of justice.
The literature reflects the nation’s tumultuous history, from the colonial era to post-independence challenges.
Works such as the play A Dance of the Forests, prepared for Nigeria’s independence celebrations in 1960, are not merely artistic expressions but also commentaries on the nation’s socio-political realities.
