the lion and the jewel

Set in Ilujinle, a rural Nigerian village, The Lion and the Jewel follows two rivals for Sidi, the village’s radiant “Jewel.” Lakunle, an idealistic schoolteacher, champions Western education and seeks to discard local customs, while Baroka, the shrewd chief known as the “Lion,” upholds tradition and commands loyalty. Their contest culminates in a comic, choreographed “abduction” during a festival, challenging modern ideals with ancestral power. Ever perceptive, Sidi exploits both men’s ambitions, turning their duel into a sharp reflection on progress, gender, and the resilience of cultural identity.

Wole Soyinka’s play fuses biting satire with vivid folklore and pageantry, capturing the tension between tradition and modernity through unforgettable characters and humour. Presented during Black History Month, this production enriches Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo’s arts scene, fostering cross-cultural understanding and celebrating African heritage.