Grace Ewals

3/31/2021

Theatre History II

Dr. Heather Hamilton

Nigerian Yoruba Opera Paper

According to the reading, Nigerian Yoruba Opera is a type of folk opera with a modern

interpretation of Yoruba traditional performing arts. African music has a very robust history.

Over the course of the 20th century, many new types of music developed in Africa and these

coexist with the traditional types of African music. Yoruba folk opera is neo-classical music that

derives it’s essential style from traditional culture. It was originally formed as a part of ritual

observances. But later, between 1610 and 1650, Yoruba music theatre emerged in a non

ritualistic way designed for entertainment. This new form was based on the dramatic roots of the

Yoruba masquerade.

The characteristic themes of the Yoruba Operatic Theatre were clearly established by the

1940’s. It included music, dance, poetry, mime, and other visual arts. Yoruba dance is created

with motifs that depict events from everyday life. The Poetry of Yoruba culture usually is

performed in the context of music. In fact, the word for music and poetry is synonymous in their

language. They speak with the music. Another practice of Yoruba is to “talk” with musical

instruments. Today, Yoruba folk opera is a multi artistic event. There are two distinct styles-

traditional and church style.

The typical composer of folk opera had not much musical training according to European

judgement, but is highly knowledgeable in Yoruba traditional culture and modern Nigerian

society. The composer serves as the librettist, principal actor, artistic director and producer.
Wives of composers often also play female lead roles. The composer provides a theme and

creates details of plot, but the working parts are often collective creativity of a group. The folk

opera groups are constantly on the road performing.

It was interesting to talk about the synthesis of Western and African influence on this

style of theatre in class. I did not fully realize that paying for tickets to see performances was a

western concept. It makes sense considering that capitalism is prominent in western society. I am

used to seeing formal productions that I call theatre. It would be so different to live in a society

where theatre is more infused into other parts of life. It would also be completely different to

have both spirituality and theatre performance infused into all aspects of life. However, I’m not

quite sure what my role would be then as a theatre person. I personally have felt the tension

between wanting to make money for art but also to create and share art for the sake of it. From

what I have learned so far I think that eastern cultures do a better job of balancing these things.

Yoruba folk opera shows how colonialism manifested itself in different art forms. It has a clear

beginning, middle, and end. It also has a character that goes through a specific journey and a

moral for the audience to take home. This contrasts Kuttiyattam and other styles of theatre we

have learned about in this class. Overall, it was interesting to learn about a style that was affected

by colonialism but still does it’s best keep true to African culture.