The Strong Breed by Wole Soyinka [pdf]

Wole Soyinka’s The Strong Breed is a fascinating work that explores themes of sacrifice, superstition and colonialism. First published in 1963, this work has remained relevant even in modern times as it sheds light on some of the socio-political and cultural issues facing African societies.

The Strong Breed follows the story of Eman, a young man chosen to be sacrificed to the gods of his community. Eman’s mother, Adenebi, is devastated by the news of her son’s imminent sacrifice and turns to the village’s head priest, Alejoko, for help. However, Alejoko firmly believes in the customs and traditions of the community and believes that Eman’s sacrifice is necessary to appease the gods and bring prosperity to the community.

The work also addresses the impact of colonialism on traditional African cultures. Alejoko, educated in Western culture, considers the community’s traditions to be backward and superstitious and seeks to modernize and “civilize” the people. However, the people cling to their customs and beliefs, which generates a clash between tradition and modernity.

Soyinka’s writing style is captivating, expertly weaving elements of African folklore and mythology to create a compelling story that keeps the reader interested. The work is also notable for its use of language, as Soyinka masterfully combines English with Yoruba, a West African language, to create a unique style that is both poetic and accessible.

Overall, The Strong Breed is an excellent work that offers insight into the complexities of African societies and their relationship to tradition, colonialism and modernity. It is a must read for anyone interested in African literature and culture.

For those who want to read The Strong Breed by Wole Soyinka, you can download the free PDF version here.

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In conclusion, The Strong Breed is a powerful work that is thought-provoking and entertaining. Wole Soyinka’s writing is masterful and the themes and characters in the work continue to resonate with readers even today. So if you are looking for a great work to read, look no further than The Strong Breed.