Courage In The Play The Horseman

The theme of courage is present throughout the play and is manifested in the act carried out by the Yoruba’s and the British Administration. The Horseman as a representative of the Yoruba community portrayed a courageous attitude at the beginning of the play. He accepted his fate and agreed to die with the king to bring people and blessing onto the land and the people. Olunde is another character that pose multiple courageous attributes. First, he pays no regards for the British administration and their different beliefs even though he was fortunate to study in the Medicine in Europe. His love and belief in the traditional ways drove him towards the courageous act of committing ritual suicide. Olunde and Elesin courage equates to that of military men fighting in Syria, because just like the characters in the play, they too place their lives in
The British administration, particularly, Mr. Pilkings sees the Yoruba tradition as barbaric and outdated. Take into consideration that the British consider everything foreign as barbaric, and only views the western way as the right way. Mr. Pilkings paints the Yorubas as a primitive group of people, whose music, language or fashion still reflect ancient times. The British behavior and the manner in which Mr. Pilkings approach the ritual shows a particular type of supremacy they exhibit over the Yoruba people. Although the presence of cultural imperialism is present in the play, the Yoruba’s hold steadfast to their traditional beliefs and customs which was typical at this time. Proverbs like “stepping into the World takes place at sunup when the baby’s inner head is thought to be most alert” (Drewal, 52) are still used as analogies. Also remarks on how traditional mask, “are regarded as physical representation of ancestral spirits” ( Drewal, 90) are accepted facts by both local elders and are still taught to new