The Swamp Dwellers - Wole Soyinka

The swamp dwellers is a play by African writer Wole Soyinka. This is the play about struggle of man. This is about problems of rural life and city life. Both have its own problems.

The play starts with Alu and Makuri waiting for his son Igwezu who has been gone to city with his wife to try his fortune. In city he finds his older brother Awuchike who had left his family long ago and had no concern for family. He had earned much money but never thought about family. He was dead for his family. Meanwhile in village Alu and Makuri gets a guest, a blind begger. He was a wise man and they take good care of him.

In city Igwezu earns little money but then looses his job and wife. His wife leaves him for Awuchike. Igwezu returns to village and finds that crops have been ruined by heavy rain and floods. Kadiye, a corrupted priest used to keep people in superstitions for his profit. He comes to Igwezu in a hope that Igwezu would have earned money in city. But Igwezu argues with him and leaves village again. The play ends with Begger's words of hope.

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Ajit Kaliya

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