Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 1963. Page Number: 64.
Wole Soyinka
THE LION and the JEWEL
LONDON Oxford University Press IBADAN 1963
Questia Media America, Inc. www.questia.com
Publication Information: Book Title: The Lion and the Jewel. Contributors: Wole Soyinka - author.
Publisher: Oxford University Press. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 1963. Page Number: *.
Oxford University Press, Amen House, London E.C.4 GLASGOW NEW YORK TORONTO
MELBOURNE WELLINGTON BOMBAY CALCUTTA MADRAS KARACHI LAHORE DACCA CAPE
TOWN SALISBURY NAIROBI IBADAN ACCRA KUALA LUMPUR HONG KONG
© Wole Soyinka 1962
This play is fully protected by copyright and all applications for public performance should be made to Oxford University Press, Amen House, Warwick Square, London, E.C.4.
Cover designed by Taj Ahmed
PRINTED AND BOUND IN ENGLAND BY HAZELL WATSON AND VINEY LTD AYLESBURY AND
SLOUGH
Characters
SIDI the Village Belle
LAXUNLE School teacher
BAROKA the 'Bale' of Ilujinle
SADIKU His head wife
THE FAVOURITE
VILLAGE GIRLS
A WRESTLER
A SURVEYOR
SCHOOLBOYS
ATTENDANTS ON THE 'BALE'
Musicians, Dancers, Mummers, Prisoners, Traders, the VILLAGE
MORNING
A clearing on the edge of the market, dominated by an immense 'odan' tree. It is the village centre. The wall of the bush school flanks the stage on the right, and a rude window opens on to the stage from the wall. There is a chant of the 'Arithmetic Times' issuing from this window. It begins a short while before the action begins. Sidi enters from left, carrying a small pail of water on her head. She is a slim girl with plaited hair. A true village belle. She balances the pail on her head with accustomed ease. Around her is wrapped the familiar broad cloth which is folded just above her breasts, leaving the shoulders bare.
Almost as soon as she appears on the stage, the schoolmaster's