What is the background analysis of Wedlock of the gods by Zulu Sofola?

Answer 1

"Wèdlock of the Gods" by Zulu Sofola is a Nigerian play that explores themes of tradition, gender roles, and societal expectations. The background analysis of the play involves examining its cultural context within Nigerian society, particularly focusing on the Igbo traditions and beliefs that influence the characters and their actions. Additionally, analyzing the historical and political context of Nigeria during the time the play was written can provide further insight into the themes and messages conveyed in the work. Overall, understanding the cultural, historical, and social contexts of "Wèdlock of the Gods" is essential for a comprehensive analysis of the play.

Answer 2

The setting of the play is in rural society in a village.thus we can see the tradinal village institution of clans and family structures and family ties and authority,the lows which demand absolute obidience and parental impritives. the central story concern with two lovers,ogwoma and uloku.they were lovers who planned to get married.Before they could do so,some misfortunes in the family of ogwoma forced her father to give ogwoma in marriage to adgwu agaist the will of ogwoma who remains fervently in love with uloku.

When adigwu died suddenly after three years of marriage,the lovers see another chance of fulfilling their desire of marriage.but two lows stand against this .the village low says that the widow must marry a brother of the dead husband .secondly,the widow must be in mourning for three months during which time she must not have any relationship with any man.the two factors create a problems for the lovers. If they follow the lows,the village and partcularly the families involved might prevent them in second time from marrying. In these circumstances,they met sexually thereby breaking the taboo that a women in mourning must not have sexual relations.what is worse is that ogwoma gets pregnants for uloku odibei,the mother of the deid husband suspects that ogwoma might have killed her son in order to have another chance to marry uloku. She use her magic power to evenge her son's suspected death.