The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka

The Lion and the Jewel 

The Lion and the Jewel is  a play written by Wole Soyinka. It was first performed at the Royal Court theatre, London in the year 1959. Themes in this play are vanity, gender role and modernity versus tradition. The play is set in the village of Ilujinle, Nigeria.

Sidi, the 'Jewel' in this play is a beautiful young girl. She carries a pail of water past the school. Lakunle, the Maths teacher works in this school. He is a man with modern thoughts. He speaks to Sidi and rebukes her for carrying water on her head. Lakunle loves Sidi and he wishes to marry her. He refuses to pay her bride-price which is against the African tradition. His modern ideas are disliked by Sidi. Sidi is ready to marry him if he readily gives her the bridal-price.

Sidi is informed about a photographer who visited the village some years ago. He has entered the village with the magazine that bore the images of the villagers and village. In the Magazine Sidi occupies a central space. Her stunning beauty makes her glow with vanity. Lakunle is stunned to hear this.

The village Bale, Baroka 'The Lion' enters the scene. He stares at the picture of Sidi who covers the front page of the magazine.

Sadiku, Baroka's senior wife meets Sidi. She informs the desire of 'the Lion' to woo Sidi. But Sidi mocks at the old Bale. She is aware about the Bale's shrewdness and rejects the proposal made by the Bale.

Sadiku conveys the message to Baroka. The  Lion becomes distressed. He deceives his senior wife claiming that he has become impotent.

Sadiku rejoices thinking about his virility. She pours this matter into the ears of Sidi. Sidi plans to dine with the Bale. Lakunle disagrees with the plan but Sadiku encourages Sidi.

The Bale in his bedroom is engaged in wrestling with a man. Sidi enters the Bale's room. The Bale pretends to avoid Sidi which baffles her.

Baroka throws his wrestler and Sidi celebrates Baroka's victory. Sidi insults Baroka's virility.  He sits close to Sidi and laments how old he's becoming.He mocks at her for listening Sadiku. He complains about his senior wife's match making. 

Baroka says he wants to print stamps for Ilujinle with Sidi's face. Sidi loses herself in this dream, and Baroka explains that he doesn't hate progress, he hates the sameness that progress brings. He tells Sidi that the two of them are very alike and they fit together perfectly.  He insists that the old and the new must embrace each other as Sidi's head falls onto his shoulder.

In the market  Lakunle and Sadiku wait for Sidi's return. Sidi runs into the market weeping. Both Sadiku and Lakunle try to comfort her. She says that Baroka tricked her. Lakunle becomes furious but he still wants to marry Sidi. She offers Lakunle the magazine and invites him to the wedding.

The play is about an African village struggling with its ancient traditions and practices, yet not ready to embrace more modern life choices.