1 Nigerian Theatre Theatre of Africa

2 African Performance AfAfrican Performance AfAfrican Performance Europeans and Americans remained ignorant of African performance until the 20 th century Religious rituals festivals Ceremonies Storytelling Varied widely from one part of Africa to another When Europeans took control in the 19 th c they tried to impose their idea of theatre on the continent In 1960s many African countries gained their independence Today both indigenous theatre and colonial theatre exists

3 Performance in Nigeria More than 250 different ethnic groups Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo, Fulani Yoruba: Egungun-major festival Egungun Sacrifices offered and petitions for blessing and prosperity were addressed to the dead. Carrier gathers up and takes away the accumulated evil of the community in the canoe Some aspects of the ceremony exist today Yoruba opera (Yoruba traveling theatre) Developed by Hubert Ogunde in 1946 Satirical story with dialogue, songs, and dances Begins and ends with a “glee”-rousing musical number Clear moral message

4 English Language 1900: Drama was introduced into the schools that were founded by colonial government or religious organizations seeking to convert Nigerians to Christianity. Theatre flourished, especially after 1960s when Nigeria gained independence. Wole Soyinka is dominant playwright of this time became 1 st African awarded Nobel Prize for Literature Still has been punished, arrested, threatened by the government for holding opposition. Writes on controversial issues of indigenous traditions versus colonial beliefs. Death and the Kings Horseman, The Strong Breed

5 Major Questions Because of colonialization the questions arise: Which language? Keep traditional indigenous theatre separate from colonial theatre?