A Dance of the Forests by Wole Soyinka

Greetings!! Everyone. This blog is based on 'A Dance of the Forests' by Wole Soyinka assigned by Megha Ma'am Trivedi.

Wole Soyinka’s A Dance of the Forests is a seminal play that intertwines mythology, history, and political allegory to critique post-independence Nigeria’s social and political landscape. First performed in 1960 as part of Nigeria’s independence celebrations, the play challenges the idealistic view of a glorious past by presenting a more complex and fragmented history. Through a fusion of Yoruba cosmology and modernist dramaturgy, Soyinka crafts a narrative where spirits, ancestors, and the living converge in a ritualistic space, exposing the cyclical nature of human folly. The play’s central tension arises from the contrast between the official, sanitized version of history and the unsettling, often grotesque truths that haunt the present. By employing non-linear storytelling, symbolic characters, and poetic dialogue, A Dance of the Forests becomes both a visionary warning and a philosophical exploration of the burden of history, urging the audience to confront the past critically rather than romanticize it.

For the biographical information of Wole Soyinka Click Here

1. Write a proposed alternative end of the play 'A Dance of the Forest' by Wole Soyinka. 

A Proposed Alternative Ending for Wole Soyinka’s A Dance of the Forests

Wole Soyinka’s A Dance of the Forests ends on an ambiguous and somewhat pessimistic note, reinforcing the idea that the past haunts the present and that humanity remains trapped in cycles of folly, corruption, and self-deception. The ending suggests that while a new Nigeria has been born, the people must confront their history with honesty and responsibility rather than retreat into idealized nostalgia. The Forest Head’s final remarks underscore the play’s central theme: history is not merely to be celebrated but to be learned from.

However, if one were to propose an alternative ending, it could shift toward a more transformative resolution—one that still retains Soyinka’s critical tone but offers a clearer path toward reconciliation and renewal.

Alternative Ending Proposal: A Ritual of Purification and Reconciliation

As the spirits of the past prepare to depart, Aroni, the limping narrator, intervenes with a final act that has not yet been revealed. Instead of allowing the humans to simply return to their lives with a vague sense of unease, Aroni summons a final gathering—a ritual in which both the living and the dead must directly confront their past mistakes. The Dead Man and the Dead Woman, instead of merely fading into memory, engage in a more personal dialogue with the living characters, particularly Demoke, Rola, and the political figures who symbolize the corruption of the new society.

At the centre of the stage, a sacred fire is lit, representing both destruction and renewal. The Forest Head speaks again, but this time, rather than merely forewarning of continued cycles of failure, he offers the mortals a choice: they may either ignore the lessons of history and continue on their self-destructive path, or they may actively engage in a ritual of purification—one that requires true sacrifice.

1. Demoke’s Redemption:

In this alternative ending, Demoke, the tortured artist, takes on a more central role in leading the reconciliation process. He confesses his own failures—not only his guilt over the death of Oremole but also his deeper fear of embracing true artistic and spiritual responsibility. He acknowledges that his carving of the totem was not just an act of personal artistry but a mirror of the moral decay in society. Instead of being passive, he accepts a higher calling as a voice of conscience, committing to use his art as a tool for healing rather than ego or destruction.

2. Rola’s Transformation:

Rola, the courtesan, is confronted by the Dead Woman, who forces her to see the deeper consequences of her past choices—not merely in terms of personal guilt but in the way that individual moral failures contribute to collective social decay. In a moment of catharsis, Rola rejects her former identity as the temptress and symbol of exploitation and chooses a path of self-reform. This transformation is symbolized by her decision to anoint herself with sacred water from the Forest, marking a rebirth.

3. The Council of Elders’ Revelation:

The political figures, who have throughout the play remained somewhat detached from the deeper spiritual struggle, are compelled by the spirits to participate in the ritual. They are shown visions of the future—a Nigeria that will crumble under corruption and tribalism if they do not change their ways. Unlike the original ending, where their ignorance seems destined to continue, this alternative resolution forces them to kneel before the Forest Head and pledge themselves to a new code of ethical leadership. Their oaths are witnessed by both the spirits and the common people, binding them to an ancestral contract of integrity.

4. The Forest’s Blessing:

In the climactic moment, the Forest Head, seeing that at least some among the living have chosen self-awareness over denial, grants them a blessing: the forest will not completely retreat from human affairs but will remain a guiding presence. The spirits do not vanish in bitterness; instead, they transform into symbols of wisdom, present in nature and human conscience alike. The Dead Man and Dead Woman satisfied that their suffering has not been ignored, fades into the sacred fire, now becoming part of the ancestral spirit of the land.

Final Scene: The Dance of Renewal

The play concludes not with an air of lingering doom but with a dance—not the fragmented, discordant movements of the past, but a new dance of unity. The people, led by Demoke, Rola, and the reformed elders, engage in a ritualistic movement that symbolizes a fresh start. The drums, previously chaotic and ominous, now play a rhythmic harmony that suggests a tenuous but real hope.

As the stage darkens, the final image is that of a young child, unnoticed before, stepping forward and placing a hand on the totem that Demoke has carved. This silent gesture implies that the next generation, too, will inherit the lessons of history, but with the possibility of wisdom rather than blindness.

Conclusion: Why Is This Alternative Ending?

This proposed alternative ending does not remove Soyinka’s critique of history and human folly, but it offers a greater sense of agency and transformation. Instead of leaving the audience with an overwhelming sense of inevitable failure, it provides a path toward change, however difficult it may be. It acknowledges that while the cycle of history is powerful, individuals and societies can still make conscious choices that alter their trajectory.

Would this ending align with Soyinka’s vision? Perhaps not entirely, as he was deeply sceptical of easy resolutions. However, by emphasizing ritual, self-awareness, and responsibility, it remains faithful to the play’s Yoruba influences while offering a slightly more hopeful vision for post-independence Nigeria—one in which confronting the past does not merely reveal ghosts but also opens doors to redemption.

 

2. Write a note on the play 'A Dance of the Forest' by Wole Soyinka.  (Refer to this document -  CRITICAL COMMENTARY ON A DANCE

OF THE FORESTS)