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ABSTRACT
Yerima and Soyinka portray women as worthy members of society. They use their plays The Sick People, and Erelu Kuti and Death and the King’s Horseman reveal African traditional societies which have exalted positions for women. Yerima’s Erelu Kuti shows that politically, women in African settings engage in politics and this is well dramatised in the play. Erelu rules over men who ordinarily lords it over women. Her characterization is deployed to show that some African women are capable organizing societies. She builds her society alongside some other men like her brother. Erelu uses her position as a regent to settle some political problems that almost engulfed her society. Again, she engages in businesses with some international business men who come to trade in Africa. She does not allow them to outsmart her on account of her gender. She is able to deal with them in the most appropriate. Culturally, Yerima and Soyinka deploy female characters who restore normalcy in their societies. Nene in The Sick People does her best to save the marriage Mama Icodi who commits adultery. She uses her knowledge of tradition to rescue Mama Icodi from polluting her marriage. In Erelu Kuti too, Erelu also goes spiritual in her effort to ensure that her brother’s return from exile. She employs all within her reach to do SO. She finally agrees to marry an Ifa priest who ensures the safe return of her brother, that is, the king. Similarly, in Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, Iyaloja also makes endless 33 sacrifices to aid the successful ritual suicide of Elesin. Elesin is chosen by his people to die with his late king and this task requires courage. Iyaloja does everything possible to see to it that Elesin does not fail in this task. Her role in the whole affairs makes his journey a great success. Though Elesin fails to accomplish his mission but the effort of Iyaloja is remarkable. She stands against all the forces that rise against Elesin’s quest to the land of the dead. Soyinka portrays Iyaloja as a valuable member of her society and this is evident in her legendary sacrifice to ensure Elesin’s success as well as the success of her people at large. She is not selfish therefore her selflessness makes her to stand out as a contributor to the progress of her community. The playwrights, whose works are studied, do their best to portray women as meaningful contributors to building society. The women perform both social and political roles in their diverse societies and this contributes to the advancement of their people in great measures. The point is that women are crucial members of their societies and they must be given the room to contribute their quota to every effort to better society.
