“The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”
This is a famous quote by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka in his famous play, The Man Died. Today, at Duke, we celebrate the passion of a dear scholar, teacher, and Africanist, Professor Wole Soyinka, for his contributions to the world of arts and literature.
Wole Soyinka, born Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka in 1934, is a towering figure in African literature and a tireless advocate for justice and freedom. His multifaceted career encompasses playwriting, poetry, novels, essays, and vocal activism, earning him the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
Soyinka is a playwright with a purpose, and all his plays center on solving existential, political., and social issues within the country. His early plays, like The Swamp Dwellers and The Lion and the Jewel, explored themes of power, tradition, and societal ills. This critical lens continued in his later works, including the satirical masterpiece Death and the King’s Horseman and the semi-autobiographical A Shuttle in the Crypt, which documented his imprisonment for opposing the Nigerian government.
Today, Soyinka is a celebrated scholar, professor, and public intellectual. His works have been translated into numerous languages and performed worldwide, sparking dialogue and challenging norms. He continues to write, speak out, and inspire a new generation of artists and activists.
Soyinka’s influence extended beyond the borders of Nigeria, earning him international recognition and accolades. In 1986, he became the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, honouring his “wide cultural perspective and poetic overtones in his drama.” This prestigious accolade solidified his status as one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.
