The Lion and the Jewel

Set in a Yoruba village in Nigeria, the play explores the clash between traditional village customs and modern Western influences. The story centers on Baroka, the village leader known as the lion, and his pursuit of Sidi, a local belle known as the jewel, who is also courted by a progressive school teacher. Through comedic elements and dramatic tension, the work examines cultural evolution, societal values, and the shifting power dynamics of a changing society.

by Wole Soyinka

Oxford University Press · First published 1959 · 78 pages