Title:   INTERROGATING ETHNICITY AND TRIBALISM IN SOYINKA'S A DANCE OF THE FORESTS

Abstract
Ethnicity and tribalism have played significant roles in shaping Nigeria's socio-political landscape, often serving as both a source of cultural identity and a tool for division. This study critically examines how Wole Soyinka's A Dance of the Forests interrogates ethnic tensions and the dangers of tribalism in Nigeria. The study offers a prophetic critique of the nation's fractured identity, exposing how historical grievances, ethnic rivalries, and political opportunism threaten national unity. Using Cultural Hegemony Theory, this study explores how Soyinka employs allegory, symbolism, and myth to challenge the glorification of the past and warn against the cyclical nature of ethnic conflicts. The study presents history as a burden rather than a source of pride, emphasizing the need for a new national consciousness that transcends tribal divisions. By examining Soyinka's representation of ethnic tensions and his vision for a unified Nigeria, this study highlights the enduring relevance of A Dance of the Forests in contemporary discussions on ethnicity, tribalism, nationalism, and governance. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on how Nigerian drama functions as a medium for social critique and nation-building.
Keywords: Ethnicity, Tribalism, Culture, Nigeria.

Citations:

Publication Date: 2026-02-11