Zulu Sofola
Encyclopedia
Zulu Sofola was the first published female Nigeria
n playwright and dramatist.
Her parents were Igbo
from Issele-Uku
in Delta State
. She studied at Virginia Union Baptist Seminary and The Catholic University of America
and she obtained her PhD from University of Ibadan
. Her plays often dealt with contemporary Nigerian life and Nigeria dealing with the West in a way deemed "accessible." She faced some criticism for being too Western influenced.Zulu Sofola was also a university teacher who taught Drama at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. She also taught Drama at the University of Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria where she was appointed, Head of Department for the Performing Arts. Sofola was a singer,dancer,and a prolific playwright. She was one of the most distinguished women in Nigerian literature. Zulu Sofola was the first female Professor of Theater Arts in Africa.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n playwright and dramatist.
Her parents were Igbo
Igbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
from Issele-Uku
Issele-Uku
Issele-Uku is a city in Nigeria's Delta State and headquarters for the Local Government Area of Aniocha North, It is also the Episcopal See of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku. It has its own post office and is served by the nearby new Asaba International Airport...
in Delta State
Delta State
Delta State may refer to:*Delta State, a state in southern Nigeria.*Delta State , a Canadian animated television series.*Delta State University, a public university located in the U.S. state of Mississippi....
. She studied at Virginia Union Baptist Seminary and The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
and she obtained her PhD from University of Ibadan
University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is the oldest Nigerian university, and is located five miles from the centre of the major city of Ibadan in Western Nigeria...
. Her plays often dealt with contemporary Nigerian life and Nigeria dealing with the West in a way deemed "accessible." She faced some criticism for being too Western influenced.Zulu Sofola was also a university teacher who taught Drama at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. She also taught Drama at the University of Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria where she was appointed, Head of Department for the Performing Arts. Sofola was a singer,dancer,and a prolific playwright. She was one of the most distinguished women in Nigerian literature. Zulu Sofola was the first female Professor of Theater Arts in Africa.
Works
Sofola's plays include:- The Disturbed Peace of Christmas (1971)
- Wedlock of the Gods (1972)
- King Emene (1974), Heinemann ISBN 0435928600
- The Wizard of Law (1975), Evans Bros ISBN 0237499517
- The Sweet Trap (1977), Ibadan: Oxford University Press ISBN 019575386X
- Old Wines Are Tasty (1981), Ibadan University Press ISBN 9781544996
Further reading
- Gikandi, S. (2002) Encyclopedia of African Literature. Routledge ISBN 0415230195 - p.502
- Gilbert, H. (1996) Post-Colonial Drama: Theory, Practice, Politics. Routledge ISBN 0415090245 - p.183 (on Sofola's use of proverbs)
- Kolawole, M. E. M. (1999). Zulu Sofola: her life & her works. Caltop Publications (Nigeria). ISBN 9783318799