Drama as a literary response to Africa’s social and political realities: a comparative study of selected Kenyan and Nigerian dramas
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Date
2016-07
Authors
Tengya, Pomak Frank
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study investigates the roles and functions of drama as an instrument of social
commentary in Nigeria and Kenya. Drama has been widely acclaimed as a positive
medium for mirroring society' hence the popular belief that drama is a
representation of life. This powerful attribute of drama has been deployed by
playwrights across different epochs to make constructive commentaries on the
happenings within their various societies with the view of effecting positive
change. As a result of the significant role of Drama in the society, it has become
• increasingly important to write and act drama using a method that is understood by
the people. The study sought to investigate how Francis Imbuga's The Successor,
Ngugi wa'Thiongo's The Trial of Dedan Kimathi, David Mulwa's Redemption, in
comparism to Wole Soyirika's A Play of Giants, Ola Rotimi's If.. .Tragedy of the
Ruled and Ken Saro-Wiwa's Madam No Go Quench Again serve as utility carriers
of literary responses to the problems concerning the African continent. This study
was premised on the supposition that social, historical and. political realities in
Kenya and Nigeria form a creative reservoir of the two countries' drama. A close
examination of the leading playwrights from the two countries reveals the socio- political temper in the two societies. The research sought to highlight the extent to
which the playwrights successfully use drama as a means of communication, even though there are different forms of literature in existence. This is important
because! the work of an artist in whatever form usually has a universal appeal. The
theoretical framework for this' research was based on the Theory of the Avant-
Garde and Political Theatre Theory; The theories added impetus to the work as it
aligns with the concept of social drama. The methodology that was employed in
this research basically revolved around the analyses of the primary texts and
library and internet research to add depth to the line of thought. The choice of the
playwrights is purposive and is based on fact that three of the playwrights are Kenyans and the other three are Nigerian. The choice was also on the fact that all
the' playwrights had experienced colonial and post-colonial governance in both
countries. The period of the writings also is a factor that influenced the choice. The
methodology also included systematic application of content analysis of related
literatures.
Description
A research thesis submitted to the school of visual and performing arts in fulfillment of the requirements for award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (theatre studies) of Kenyatta university. July, 2016