Wole Soyinka

Wole Soyinka is a renowned Nigerian playwright, poet, essayist, and critic. He was born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Soyinka is often regarded as one of the foremost literary figures in Africa and is known for his diverse body of work that addresses political, social, and cultural issues.  The 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to him. He is the first African recipient of the prize.

I do not identify as a fiction writer by nature. My novels emerged more or less by chance. While I have always enjoyed writing short stories, the idea of writing a novel never crossed my mind. I vividly recall the inception of my first novel, marking my initial foray into the world of fiction. The entire conception of 'The Interpreters' occurred during my time with my acting company, a period when I was actively engaged in play-writing.

My deep fascination with language, regardless of its form, has been the driving force behind my literary pursuits. I have always studied language alongside literature. My fascination with language can actually be traced back to my encounter with D. O. Fágúnwà, a pioneering Nigerian author who wrote novels in the Yorùbá language. As a child, his works sparked an appreciation for language that extended beyond my native tongue, leading me to recognize parallels in the literary traditions of other cultures. I often incorporate Yorùbá phrases into my work, finding joy in the challenge of translating these expressions into English. Sometimes, when a direct translation proves elusive, I simply include the Yorùbá phrase with a brief explanation in a footnote.

The culture of any society is a reflection of its spiritual essence. There is a great deal of healing to be done, dating back to the very origins of slavery, even before we consider the imperialist adventure, the misadventure of colonization, and the ongoing repercussions of neocolonialism, such as the persistent inequitable treatment of African societies and the Black race in general, even in global forums. I use my work to shed light on and address these fundamental and crucial issues.

As a child, I devoured the works of D. O. Fágúnwà, a prolific Yoruba author. In fact, after completing my studies in England, I set out on an ambitious project to translate all of Fágúnwà's works into English. However, after translating the first novel, I had an epiphany. I realized that if I continued to focus solely on translating Fágúnwà's works, I might never develop my own unique voice as a writer. Fortunately, I was able to step back from this project after some years and revisit it with a fresh perspective. Each time I delve into Fágúnwà's writings, I am enriched by his mastery of language and his ability to weave captivating stories. His works continue to serve as a source of inspiration.

Following the publication of The Interpreters, I embarked on the creation of Season of Anomy. It was an introspective exploration of my generation, examining our role and impact on a rapidly evolving society. The Interpreters marked the beginning of my literary investigation into the character and impact of my generation. The Season of Anomy delved into the realm of mythology, while Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth took longer to manifest than initially anticipated. Despite my ventures into novel writing, I still consider myself primarily a playwright, finding greater resonance and comfort in the world of theater.