“Wole Soyinka’s play ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ is about the victory of traditional values over western ones”. – Discuss

‘The Lion and the Jewel’ is about the victory of traditional values over western ones”

The traditions and customs of Yoruba are typically presented in ‘The Lion and the Jewel’, an African play. One of primary conflicts of the play pits traditional Yoruba customs against a western conception of progress and modernity of Ilujinle, a typical village in Africa, as presented by the conflict between Baroka and Lakunle for Sidi’s hand in marriage.

Lakunle represents the modern Nigerian man. He wears western clothes, has been educated in a British school and wants to modernize his village. Lakunle does not just admire and idolise western society, he actively and loudly despises the traditional customs of his village and the people who support them. This is best illustrated by Lakunle’s refusal to pay Sidi’s bride–price. Sidi indicates that she would marry Lakunle anytime if he would only pay the bride–price and observe the local custom. Bride–price is the money or property given by the bridegroom to the family of his bride. This is a common practice in Africa. According to the custom of Africa, it is honour to the bride who receives a good price. If a girl marries without any bride–price, she will be a laughing stock to the villagers because she will be suspected of losing her virginity. It is believed that the girl who has lost her virginity or chastity are compelled to marry without bride–price. Therefore, Sidi sticks to the tradition and refuses to marry Lakunle without bride–price.

 On the other hand, Lakunle tells her that he does not want to make her a traditional wife. To him, if he pays bride–price, the relationship between husband and wife will be a cold one. He compares the payment of bride–price to buying a heifer off the market stall. He also tells her that, if he pays the bride–price, she will be regarded as his personal property. But Lakunle cannot uphold his modernity as she cannot give up traditional values.

The competition between Baroka and Lakunle for Sidi’s hand in marriage brings the conflict between tradition and modernity to life. Baroka wishes to add Sidi to his harem of wives, while Lakunle dreams of having one wife. Both men promise Sidi a different version of power and fulfilment. When Baroka dies, Sidi will become the head of the new Bale, a position that would make her one of the most powerful women in the village. On the other hand, Lakunle offers Sidi the possibility of an equal partnership in which she is not required to serve her husband as is traditional. But Sidi recognises that Lakunle’s idea of modernity might not improve her life. In fact, it might mean that she would have less power and fewer rights than she would have in a traditional marriage.

 Chastity is another traditional value. After Sidi’s seduction, Lakunle offers to marry her in spite of her loss of virginity. But Sidi cannot accept his proposal. As Baroka has had sex with her, she cannot take any other man as her husband. So, she chooses old Baroka for her husband instead of young Lakunle. Her decision is due to the concept of chastity. She chooses Baroka because of the old tradition of marrying and living with only one man.

Now, it is quite clear that, the traditional value of Ilujinle wins over the western spirit. As the villagers of Ilujinle lived in a traditional–ridden society, they cannot welcome western civilization and remain confined to their own tradition and custom.

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Written By

S. MALLICK

 

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BIBLIOGRAPHY – Text Book (FBC), A Study Guide (FBC) & Handnote Series (Lecture)