Nigerian cinema, like any national cinema, is complex and multifaceted. It’s shaped by various influences, including local cultural traditions like the Yoruba Traditional Traveling Theatre, individual contributions of pioneering figures like Hubert Ogunde, and the ongoing work of custodians like Tunde Kelani.
Kelani announced this morning that he is developing a documentary series to chronicle the stories of living pioneers of the Yoruba Traditional Traveling Theatre — a mid-20th century movement with significant influence on Nollywood and broader Nigerian cinema.
“In my quest to track and profile the remaining pioneers and the greatest dramatists who are now Heroes of the Yoruba Traditional Traveling Theatre, I finally encountered Madam Omoladun Afolayan,” Kelani said on his social channels, sharing photos of himself with Afolayan. “Watch out for the documentary series.”
Some prominent figures of the Yoruba traveling theatre, such as Hubert Ogunde, later became filmmakers and actors on the screen. Elements of storytelling, music, dance, and drama that characterized the traveling theatre were incorporated into local cinema — especially those that focus on Yoruba culture and themes.
Championed by notable figures like Duro Ladipo, the theatre explored morality, community, and spirituality. Techniques like improvisation added vibrancy to on-screen performances. Artists that transitioned from theatre to cinema, like Ladipo, infused their skills and cultural knowledge into Nigerian cinema.
In the current cinema landscape, the influence of the Yoruba Traveling Theatre is still evident. Filmmakers like Kelani continue to draw on its traditions, ensuring that Nigerian cinema remains connected to its cultural roots while also evolving to reflect contemporary society.
Kelani’s 2014 screen adaptation of Ogunde’s most famous play, “Yoruba Ronu” (“Yoruba, Think!” 1964) creates a direct line from Ogunde’s pioneering work to the present day, showcasing the enduring influence and relevance of Ogunde’s contributions to Nigerian cinema.
Nigerian cinema history, like any national cinema, is complex and multifaceted, shaped by many influences, including traditions like the Traveling Theatre, and individual contributions of pioneers like Ogunde, and custodians like Kelani. It’s its own kind of “Dazzling Mirage.”
No other information on Kelani’s docuseries is available at this time.
Given the filmmaker’s place in Nigerian cinema and the importance of the subject matter, this docuseries is one to anticipate. It may also further mainstream conversations about Nigeria’s film history.
In the meantime, watch this hour-long 1983 BBC documentary on Ogunde, whose pioneering work in theatre played a crucial role in the development of theatre and cinema in Nigeria. He died in 1990 at 74 years old.
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