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drama of West Africa.
2. Identify the issues addressed by West African drama.
3. Attempt an assessment of major dramatists in West Africa and show how their works have contributed in building the region.
7.0 REFERENCES/ FURTHER READING
Adedeji, J A. ‗The Theatre‘s Contemporary Political Development in Africa‘.
In African Theatre Journal.No1. Vol. 1, 1985.
Balogun, Odun. ‗Marxist Aesthetics in Socialist African Literature‘. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on African Literature. Osofisan et al (ed) Lagos: Centre for Black and African Civilization, 1991.
Gbilekaa, Saint. Radical Theatre in Nigeria. Ibadan: Caltop Publishers, 1997.
Idegwu, E. ‗Between Theatre and Society: The question of understanding‘. In Egwugwu Illah (ed) Theatre, Politics and Social Consciousness in Nigeria. Jos:
Leadership Institute, 2002.
Ker, David. Literature and Society in Africa. Abuja: Spectrum Books, 2004.
Obafemi, Olu. ‗Interview with Bode Sowande in Ibadan. 8th November, 1978. In African Literature Today. Vol.1-12. London: Heinemann, 1992.
_______ ‗Revolutionary Aesthetics in Recent Nigerian Theatre‘. In African Literature Today. Vol. 1-12, London: Heinemann, 1982.
_______ Contemporary Nigerian Theatre: Cultural Heritage and Social Vision. Lagos: Centre for Black and African Civilization, 2000.
Rotimi, Ola. Issues in African Theatre. Ibadan: Humanities Publishers, 2001.
UNIT 4: EAST AFRICAN DRAMA
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1.0 - Introduction 2.0 - Objectives 3.0 - Main content
3.1 - East African Drama
3.1.1 - The Origin and Focus of East African Drama 4.0 - Conclusion
5.0 - Summary
6.0 - Tutor-Marked Assignment 7.0 - References/Further Reading 1.0 INTRODUCTION
This unit is designed to put you through the dramatic activities in East Africa with a view of enhancing your knowledge of the happenings in the region. The effect of colonialism on drama in East Africa is much as consequently has shaped the practise of drama and theatre in the region. This as a matter of fact has also informed the radical approach to drama in the region. It is therefore necessary for you to be abreast of the issues addressed by drama in East Africa and how these issues were and are addressed.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
i. Understand what represents East African drama.
ii. Identify the factors that shape East African Drama.
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iii. Attempt an assessment of the major playwrights that have occupied the East African stage and how their works have contributed in the growth of the region.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 EAST AFRICAN DRAMA
Drama in East Africa is closely associated with the history and experiences of the people of the region. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda and Tanzania constitute East Africa and these countries share common drama experiences rooted in the culture, history, social relations, religions of the East Africa society and post-colonial mis-governance. Key players in the drama experience of East Africa such as Ngugi Wa Thiongo have made significant contributions which serve as a torchlight in understanding realities in that region. Ngugi‘s book Writers in Politics provides a useful background in understanding his plays, among which are; The Black Hermit, The Trials of Dedan Kimathi and I will Mary When I Want. In East Africa, survival of the average citizen is hinged on the political struggles in the immediate community.
3.1.1 THE ORIGIN AND FOCUS OF EAST AFRICAN DRAMA
East Africa is a region blessed by nature with gold, diamonds, quartz, and other precious stones which have become the major source of income for the region. Foreigners however control and dominate this natural resource industry. The indigenes often have had little or no control over their own blessings. This reality has featured in much of the drama of East Africa. The popular concept of ‗decolonizing the mind‘ which Ngugi Wa
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Thiongo has often written about has for decades served as the platform idea for most writings in East Africa. The Black Hermit is a play that introduced Ngugi as a critical mind in East Africa. The next play he wrote equally drew attention to the weaknesses of the State apparatus in Kenya. This play titled The Trial of Dedan Kimathi which he co-wrote with Micere Mugo challenged the leadership of the Kenya society. Public interest in Ngugi‘s writings prompted the masses to call him to produce a new play written in his indigenous language Gikuyu. The play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I will Marry when I want) challenged the colonial structures in Kenya which were still oppressing the people and limiting them. The gist of the play was hinged on a revolutionary spirit recall reminding the people of their past victories such as the Mau Mau rebellion.
TOOLS/ MATERIALS
In writing any dramatic work, you will need writing materials like pen, paper, writing pads, pencil, notebooks, and perhaps a computer set. You can do your writing with all or any of these. What one needs to do is to identify what is most convenient. Most importantly, your ideas must be in shape and intact to be able to put a good unified plot on paper.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
How would you rate East African drama in terms of fighting colonialism and what would
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you have done differently given the chance?
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this unit, we have discussed the dramatic experience of East Africa with a view of ascertaining its functionality. We have also established that, the fight against colonialism informed the radical nature of drama in East Africa.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit, you have learnt that:
i. East African drama represents the yearnings and aspirations of the region.
Ii The radical nature of East African drama is predicated on their colonial history.
iii. Ngugi Wa Thiongo‘ occupies a special place in East African dramaturgy.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1. Discuss the factors that led the rise in East African drama.
2. How would you assess the major dramatists of East Africa?
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Balogun, Odun. ‗Marxist Aesthetics in Socialist African Literature‘. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on African Literature. Osofisan et al (ed) Lagos: Centre for Black and African Civilization, 1991.
Ker, David. Literature and Society in Africa. Abuja: Spectrum Books, 2004.
Rohmann, Chris. A World of Ideas. New York: Ballantine Books, 2000.
Rotimi, Ola. Issues in African Theatre. Ibadan: Humanities Publishers, 2001.
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Wa Thiongo, Ngugi. Writers in Politics. London: Heinemann, 1981.
MODULE 5 TRADITIONAL VERSUS SCRIPTED DRAMA