Encounter with professor wole soyinka vanguard news. Through refuse materials such as books, pens, and paper, he still wrote a. Aside from his books, and his books are great, the ozidizaga is considered the best production of our oral. Wole soyinka is a nigerian writer, poet and play writer. He wis awairdit the 1986 nobel prize in leeteratur, the first african tae be honored in that category. Author wole soyinka biography and book list fresh fiction. List of books and articles about wole soyinka online. Wole soyinka 1 1934 author, actor, political activist at a glance 2 began writing career 3 twice arrested 4 postprison writings 5 literary philosophy 6 selected writings 7 sources 8 in 1986 wole soyinka 9 became the first black african to be awarded the nobel prize 10 in li. Jul 15, 2018 this was what people like professor wole soyinka and his cohort did with their works. Akinwande oluwole babatunde soyinka known as wole soyinka is a nigerian playwright, poet. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page.
His life course has brought him from deaths door as a political prisoner in solitary confinement to the hallowed halls of harvard, yale, and leeds. This article looks at the life history of the wole soyinka, as well as other little known facts about him such as his books, literary works, and quotable quotes. Ake is an autobiography of wole soyinkas early life in nigeria. Prison notes of wole soyinka 1988 and poems from prison 1969, were secretly written on toilet paper and smuggled out of prison. In conversation with wole soyinka, nobel laureate in. My new book will draw blood, soyinka vows the popular playwright and essayist spoke at the formal inauguration of the wole soyinka foundation, a retreat haven for writers. Read this biography to learn more about his childhood, life, achievements and timeline. Wole soyinka, in full akinwande oluwole soyinka, born july, 1934, abeokuta, nigeria, nigerian playwright and political activist who received the nobel prize for literature in 1986.
As a dramatist, poet, novelist, essayist, political activist and professor, wole soyinka is perhaps africas most brilliant cultural ambassador and critic, and a. The wole soyinka annual lecture series was founded in 1994 and is dedicated to honouring one of nigeria and africas most outstanding and enduring literary icons. Nigerian playwright and political activist wole soyinka received the nobel prize for literature in 1986. Fagunwa being a translation of ogboju ode ninu igbo irunmale by wole soyinka illustrated by bruce onobrakpeya city lights books san francisco. Calls for chinua achebe nobel prize obscene, says wole soyinka this article is more than 6 years old soyinka, a nobel laureate himself, also dismisses claims that achebe was father of african. Forest of a thousand daemons a h u n t e r s s a g a d. If you take the sort of microcommunity in my household when i was a child, for instance, we had people from all parts of the country. Wole soyinka, author info, published books, bio, photo, video. As a dramatist, poet, novelist, essayist, political activist and professor, wole soyinka is perhaps africas most brilliant cultural ambassador. Calls for chinua achebe nobel prize obscene, says wole soyinka. Soyinka, other literary gurus extol jp clarks works. Growing up, he became interested in literature and this interest led him to.
This collection brings together idanre and other poems and a shuttle in the crypt. Wole soyinka has 93 books on goodreads with 2614179 ratings. As playwright, actor, producer, poet, novelist and author of scathing satirical revues, soyinka has been a champion of the responsibility of art and the artist to society. It interestingly explores the conflict between modernity and tradition. Fagunwa being a translation of ogboju ode ninu igbo irunmale by wole soyinka illustrated by bruce onobrakpeya city lights books.
Nigerian nobel laureate wole soyinka looks back at the 1962 conference of african literature, which vowed to change africa using literature. Wole soyinka was born on july, 1934 at abeokuta, near ibadan in western nigeria. The years of childhood with an equally important chronicle of his turbulent life as an adult in and in exile from his beloved, beleaguered homeland. Books by wole soyinka author of death and the kings. Soyinkas political commitment resulted in his imprisonment during the nigerian civil war. Amy goodman, legendary nigerian writer wole soyinka. Wole soyinkas 81st birthday on monday, we have compiled a list of the prolific writers most memorable plays 1. Wole soyinka is a black africas foremost dramatist and one of the controversial writers of this generation.
His interest in literature led him to study english literature, greek and history at the university college in ibadan. Amy goodman, legendary nigerian writer wole soyinka on oil in the niger delta, the effect of iraq on africa and his new memoir, democracy now. Professor wole soyinka, a great and brilliant nigerian writer and political activist, who was the first african to win the nobel prize for literature. It is organised by the national association of seadogs pyrates confraternity, which organisation soyinka with six other students founded in 1952 at the. Wole soyinka is nigerias renowned nobel laureate, he is the cousin of the late afrobeat legend, fela anikulapo kuti. Books by wole soyinka author of death and the kings horseman. Wole soyinka born july th, 1934 wole soyinka, in full akinwande olu wole soyinka, was born on july, 1934, in abeokuta, nigeria. See all books authored by wole soyinka, including death and the kings horseman, and ake. Performed in 1959 at the ibadan arts theatre, this was one of soyinkas first plays in nigeria. This was what people like professor wole soyinka and his cohort did with their works. Wole soyinka has 125 books on goodreads with 2614070 ratings. Explore some of the sloane square theatres key productions through extracts from the guardian and observer archive, alongside new recollections from wole soyinka, ann jellicoe, amanda redman. Soyinka is the first black person to win the nobel prize for literature 1986. Wole soyinka prize for literature in africa is a panafrican writing prize awarded biennially to the best literary work produced by an african.
Professor wole soyinka was quoted saying his latest book is the nastiest that he has written so fa see more the burden of memory, the muse of forgiveness by wole soyinka nobel laureate in literature wole soyinka considers all of africaindeed, all the world. Wole soyinka was born on the th of july 1934 in abeokuta, ogun state, nigeria. List of notable poems by wole soyinka nigerian infopedia. In this lesson well learn about his history, works, and influence.
Prison notes and the account of his childhood, ake, in which a parents warmth and interest in their son is prominent. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. Wole soyinkas life is one of the rare, riveting biographies of our time. Wole soyinka is a nigerian writer, political activist, and the first african to receive a nobel prize in literature. I may be dishonest if i claim to be a fan of professor wole soyinka, for the fans of an artist, whether a musician, literary icon, or visual artist are those who love. Educated at the universities of ibadan and leeds, england, and at londons royal court theatre, he writes in english, fusing western and yoruba traditions. So look for the suggested readalikes by title linked on the right.
Wole soyinka, a nobel prize laureate and nigerian exile, has been described by the new york times as one of the most compelling literary voices in black africa. Woles father, samuel ayodele soyinka, was a prominent anglican minister and headmaster, while his mother, grace eniola soyinka, was a shopkeeper and local activist. He then studied at the university college, ibadan 19521954 and the university of leeds 19541957 from which he received an honours degree in english literature. Death and the king\s horseman death and the kings horseman ak interpreters the lion and the jewel isara the open sore of a. In nigeria, soyinka was a professor of comparative literature 1975 to 1999 at the obafemi awolowo university, then called the university of ife. A member of the yoruba people, soyinka attended government college and university college in ibadan before graduating in 1958 with a degree in english from the university of leeds in england.
Nigerian playwright, poet, and peace activist wole soyinka was raised in relative upperclass surroundings in colonial africa, and worked as a dramatist for nigerian radio while still attending high school. Wole soyinka biography, age, children, family, house. Soyinka has been imprisoned several times for his criticism of the government. He sometimes wrote of modern west africa in a satirical style, but his serious intent and his belief in the evils inherent in the exercise of power usually was. Wole soyinkas biography, bibliography, list of books, with the current titles. All the books below are recommended as readalikes for wole soyinka but some maybe more relevant to you than others depending on which books by the author you have read and enjoyed. Most of the plays action occurs inside a small automotive repair and parts business, the. Soyinkas father is a school headmaster, and his mother is a devoted christian who comes from a prominent tribal family. May 20, 20 calls for chinua achebe nobel prize obscene, says wole soyinka this article is more than 6 years old soyinka, a nobel laureate himself, also dismisses claims that achebe was father of african. Nobel peace prizepolitical activism prof wole soyinka was awarded the nobel prize for literature in 1986. The motivation for the prize was, who in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence. Wole soyinka prize for literature in africa wikipedia.
Wole soyinkas most popular book is death and the kings horseman. Lagos, and ife, where, since 1975, he has been professor of comparative literature. A rather curious scene, unscripted, once took place in the wings of a london theatre at the same time as the scheduled performance was being presented on the actual stage, before an audience. According to the citation, soyinkass nobel prize was for his plays, of which death and the kings horseman is arguably one of the best plays of the 20th century. He received a primary school education in abeokuta and attended secondary school at government college, ibadan.
He was born in 1934 in abeokuta, near ibadan, into a yoruba family and studied at university college in ibadan, nigeria, and the university of leeds, england. Professor wole soyinka was the first and only nigerian to win a nobel prize and the second african to achieve the same feat. The name, wole soyinka, is a household name both in africa and beyond especially in the field of literature. Accused of treason, he was held in solitary confinement during most of this period. Soyinka seems fated to bridge elements in our world which. Wole soyinka 1934 in full akinwande oluwole soyinka. Top 10 literary works by wole soyinka connect nigeria. Wole soyinka biography, wife, children, family, quick facts. He then later relocated to the university of leeds to continue his studies in literature. Soyinka has written two novels, the interpreters and season of anomy. Akinwande oluwole babatunde soyinka was born on the th of july, 1934 at abeokuta, near ibadan in western nigeria.
The road is about of a group of drivers and their associates in a poor neighborhood in a nigerian city. Darfur crisis a blot on the conscience of the world, democracy now. Wole soyinka is a nigerian playwright, poet, author, teacher and political activist who received the nobel prize for literature in 1986. Wole soyinka project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Soyinka was born on july, 1934 in abeokuta, the capital of ogun state, nigeria. Wole soyinka is arguably the most famous african author. Wole soyinka books list of books by author wole soyinka. Nigerian playwright, poet, novelist, and critic, first black african who was awarded the nobel prize for literature in 1986. My new book will draw blood, soyinka vows sahara reporters. Wole soyinka books biography and list of works author of death.
738 1429 375 703 1088 349 1494 1288 1072 726 654 202 420 92 448 1112 256 895 179 1401 1153 681 28 848 193 206 1263 1047 324 167 1413 260 1308 1478 1236 164 311 305 396 670 498 1053 234 989 1134 1464 860 912 1445 866 464