Death and the King's Horseman - A Play

Based on events that took place in Oyo, Nigeria in 1946, Wole Soyinka's play intertwines the lives of Elesin Oba, the king's chief horseman; his son, Olunde, now studying medicine in England; and Simon Pilkings, the colonial district officer. The king has died and Elesin is expected by law and custom to commit suicide and accompany his ruler to heaven. Pilkings learns of the ritual and decides to intervene, and Olunde arrives home.