Colonized and Losing Faith in Death and the King's Horseman

Judging by "Death and the King's Horseman," Wole Soyinka believes that the practice of colonialism has resulted in conquering nations enforcing their will upon the conquered people, causing a loss of tradition and faith. Soyinka relates this belief in the story of Elesin, a horseman of the king, and the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of both he and his son. Both deaths were caused by the lack of respect shown on the part of the conquering nation, who is represented by the District Officer: Simon Pilkings.

Soyinka's first scene gives the reader detail of Elesin's respected and holy status among his people. The king has passed away and tribal law states that the death of the chief must be followed by the ritual suicide of the chief's horseman, so that his spirit can continue to serve his master in the afterlife. Instead of immediately going through with the ritual, Elesin goes out to enjoy his last day of life in the marketplace, which is used by Soyinka as a metaphor for the world. During his time in the marketplace, Elesin sees a girl that calls to his insatiable lust. The girl is a bride to be, but Elesin's holy status grants him his desires. This is the first example of a western influence upon the decision making of the conquered people.

The local district officer, Simon Pilkings, and Jane, his wife, are the focus of scene two, during which Soyinka gives us details of the Pilkings feelings toward the local religion. Simon deems baptism "nonsense," on page 3040, line 23, and he and his wife wear ceremonial tribal dress to their costume party, both signs that the Pilkings do not respect any religion. This lack of respect by the ruling leader of the conquering nation is what leads Elesin, and his son, to their tragic deaths. Hearing of Elesin's plan to commit ritual suicide, Pilkings has the holy man arrested, claiming his intention barbaric and illegal. Elesin is prevented from his act, which causes the tribe to fear for their souls, believing the order of the universe to have been thrown into chaos. While this is only one incident, it serves as precedent for the future suppression of more tribal belief, which will one day suppress the entire faith into nothingness.

While Elesin is in jail, his son, Olunde, returns from his schooling in Britain to discover his father's plight. Fearing for the honor of the family, and for the cosmic order of the universe, Olunde commits the ritual suicide in his father's place. Being that Olunde was Elesin's only son, and that such positions pass from father to son, the right to horseman of the king will be in dispute. Rather than face the consequences within the tribe, Elesin kills himself, taking the knowledge that had been passed from generation to generation with him. The loss of such knowledge is another example of the suppression caused to a colonized nation.