No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
If:: A Tragedy of the Ruled
... Ola Rotimi in If…(1983) also dramatizes the Nigerian polity. The central theme of the work is political change; how to transform the balance of power in the contemporary Nigerian society so that the masses of the people would be in control of it. ...
Nigeria as a democratic nation-state is ailing. One of the consequences of this ailment is the cascading standard of social justice in the country. Instead of correcting the trend, the leaders continue to rationalize every action taken by government and describe Nigeria’s democracy as being unique to the cultural environment, yet the human-rights violations, political dishonesty and the declining social standards induced by government are not compatible with the tenets of liberal democracy. The civil society, through its organizations and institutions, has been challenged to initiate a plan of ideological reorientation for social and ethical change, using nonconfrontational methods. Drama and theatre, being veritable media of communication are considered extremely suitable in this regard. The method of Theatre for Development is strongly recommended for its potential of using community members to develop and communicate relevant messages to grass root communities. This methodology has been applied with evidence of positive results in health advocacy, environmental education, women and youth development and other issues. The method is also ideal for the possibility of obtaining a feedback from the target audience for impact assessment.
Keywords: Social Justice, Civil Society, Democracy, Nigerian Drama and Theatre for Development.
Before the coming of Christian missionaries, the Tiv people of Central Nigeria settled in dispersed patterns arranged patrilineally in 'Uikyar-mbayav' (larger compounds). The arrival of the missionaries led to the establishment of schools, hospitals, churches, markets, and motorable roads among the Tiv. These developments saw the emergence of nucleated settlement patterns formed beyond patrilineal lines. To examine these issues, the study adopts the Walter Christeller Central Places Theory. Methodologically, both primary and secondary sources were explored while the approach was descriptive, narrative, and analytical. The study establishes that settlements like Mkar, Zaki-Biam, and Mbakon, developed as a result of these central places established by the missionaries in Tivland. These settlements attracted migrants within and outside Tivland leading to socioeconomic developments.
The challenges and strategies for sustainability in Theatre for Development in most African communities.
Literary language in African writing makes for interesting study because of the linguistic nuances and flavour of the indigenous African language of its author that finds creative expression in English. How language is used in dramatic communication is a subject of serious intellectual debate. This study, through the textual analysis of some play-texts, which are constructed on the didactic and eclectic nature of theatre and the society, is a reflection on the socio-dramatic transition of language use in the plays of Ola Rotimi. The discussion will identify, conceptualise and rethink some major forms, styles and patterns of language use in the plays of Ola Rotimi. Given the theatrical, dramatic, literary dividends and effectiveness of Rotimi's works, this study concludes by calling on budding playwrights and dramatists in Africa to emulate/ imitate/learn from rethought language forms, styles and "linguistic possibilities" in the plays of Ola Rotimi as they experiment with language use in the African theatre.
The propelling factor in the creative interpretation of the society is situated within the
region of a vision, and this vision is for the collective growth and development of a
society in all the areas of human endeavour. Social vision becomes imperative for the
political and economic upliftment of society that as bedevilled by all sorts of social
problems created by the ruling class. This is in order to retard the growth of the society
for the benefit of the rich, and for the poverty stricken masses to continue to suffer.
However, dramatists have devised means of instigating positive changes in society by
addressing the visionary disposition of the ruling class, through the use of metaphor in
their drama. Therefore, the focus of this paper is on drama and the theatre as vital tools
for the projection of social vision through the use of metaphor.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.