Wole Soyinka

1. Wole Soyinka Francis Ramirez

2. Childhood and Education • Born on July 13, 1934 in Abeokuta, Western Nigeria • Soyinka family practiced both Anglican Christianity and Yoruban traditions • Father: Samuel Ayodele Soyinka, headmaster of Wole Soyinka’s primary school • Mother: Grace Eniola Soyinka, Shopkeeper and political activist • Went to St. Peter Primary school , and Abeokuta Grammar School • Awarded scholorship to Government College of Ibadana at age 12 • At 18, went to University of Ibadana to pursue english degree • Received scholarship to the University of Leeds in London where he would get his doctorate for literature.

3. Soyinka in London • 1958, he joined the Royal Court Theatre in London where he wrote his first two plays. • “The Swamp Dweller” and “The Lion and the Jewel” • Studied under Professor G. Wilson Knight • Famous professor at U of L for Shakspearean critic • 1960- Won the Rockefeller grant in order to research traditional African theatre. • Gave him a reason to return to Africa

4. Soyinka returns to Africa • Creates the theatre group “The 1960’s Masks” which he wrote “A Dance in the Forest” with. Produced plays regarding independence. • Soyinka and other protest leaders helped gain independence for Nigeria in 1964 • “ A dance in the Forest” premiered in celebration of independence • Published first novel in 1965 The Interpreters and published first poetry book, “Idanre and Other Poems” in 1967. • 1964- Soyinka publicly reveals the Election Scandal of 1964 on the radio. • Arrested for 2 months, but released due to international fame

5. Civil War and Imprisonment • 1967- Civil War erupts between Bifarans (East Nigeria) and Nigeria (West Nigeria) due to power struggle in government • Soyinka tries to negotiate with both sides but fails • Nigeria accuses Soyinka for working with Bifarans, and he is incarcerated for until the end of the war • Made makeshift writing utensils to write letters about his innocence and the atrocities of the war. • Imprisonment influenced Soyinka to reflect and write about his thoughts during his time in prison. • 1969- Civil War Ends, with Bifarans subdued. • Soyinka given amnesty and released from prison.

6. Soyinka: The First African Laureate • 1986- Wole Soyinka is awarded the Nobel Prize of Literature, making him the first African Laureate • Swedish Academy described Soyinka as having “Sparkling vitality and Moral Statue.” • Soyinka’s plays and poems depicted what the Swedish Academy called the drama of existence. • Speech included World wide equality for all races, describes the events in South Africa, and talks about one of his motivations in writing, the Yoruban God, Ogun.

7. Soyinka’s Writing Style and Influences • Soyinka utilizes a lot of Satire to mock the corrupt government of Nigeria and other countries • Published over 20 works: Poetry, Plays, and novels • Soyinka personally believes in Quality over Quantity • Ogun, the god of creation and destruction in the Yoruban culture, influences many of Soyinka’s literature. • The idea of “Organic Revolution” which is the conflict between Western and African Influences make up much of his work • Civil War and Imprisonment influenced much of his work in the 1970’s. • Wrote works that advocate the eradication of corruption in government