Zulu Sofola

Nwazuluwa Onuekwuke "Zulu" Sofola (22 June 1935 – 5 September 1995) was the first published female Nigerian playwright and dramatist.

Quotes

• I am motivated by human problems that confront us all. It depends on the spirit of a problem before I get the kind of inspiration which makes me want to write about it. Then I do my research.
  • 56 Years of Nigerian Literature: 'Zulu Sofola, Bookshy.
• Most of my writing questions the 'isms' that have been superimposed on the African people.
  • 56 Years of Nigerian Literature: 'Zulu Sofola, Bookshy.
• Music was my original interest. But when I was studying in the United States, I had to select another subject in addition to my main line. That was what landed me in drama. But I found that in dram I was also in music because I could produce plays with a musical background and I could use music for the mood. So it was through music that I got into writing.
  • 56 Years of Nigerian Literature: 'Zulu Sofola, Bookshy.

Quotes about Sofola

• Sofola forges a link between her religion (Christianity) and her culture, seeking to interweave traditional practices with Christian doctrines. In the play (The Disturbed Peace of Christmas), Titi, who is playing the role of Mary for the community’s Christmas play is pregnant by Ayo, who is playing the role of Joseph. The entire Christmas programme for the community is threatened by the adolescent’s “sinful act” which in turn threatens the message of peace for the period as both families are initially tense and poise for conflict.
  • Kenneth Efakponana Eni as quoted in “Zulu Sofola and the Nigerian Theatre Influences and Traditions, 2009.
• ...a male-dominated world where the voice of women seemed unheard and under-appreciated, 'Zulu Sofola stepped forward and distinguished herself as a literary icon and an excellent dramatist.
  • Abiodun Abe as quoted in 56 Years of Nigerian Literature: 'Zulu Sofola, Bookshy.
• Her (Sofola) plays are largely traditional and instructive and they tell tales of love and royalty through tragedies and the various experiences of human life in such a way that readers and audience alike are both entertained and informed in one scenario or the other.
  • Abiodun Abe as quoted in 56 Years of Nigerian Literature: 'Zulu Sofola, Bookshy.
• She (Zulu Sofola) was a mother in the true sense of the word and went beyond the call of duty as the head of our department. My personal connection with this woman makes me really proud and hungry to put her work here in this space for everybody to see.
  • Bayo Akinfemi as quoted in With Wedlock of the Gods, professor brings Nigerian storytelling and culture to USC’s main stage, USC News, October 05, 2022.
• To be able to honor the legacy of Zulu Sofola and everything she’s meant to Nigeria and Africa and to bring that to our stage and enable our students to have the experience of working on a play like this is really important. The mission of the School of Dramatic Arts is to change the face of the entertainment industry, and that includes the stories that are told on our main stages.
  • Emily Roxworthy as quoted in With Wedlock of the Gods, professor brings Nigerian storytelling and culture to USC’s main stage, USC News, October 05, 2022.
• Professor Zulu Sofola, my elder sister, was a great lady. I was very little when she travelled overseas, so we never met until after a very long time. I first knew her through pictures. I must say that she laid a solid foundation for us, the younger ones. She actually took a lot from our parents; our parents were very hardworking and loving. They helped the community, training young people and providing solutions that were within their power.
  • Nat Okwumabua as quoted in Zulu Sofola: A legacy of creativity and generosity, TheNews, June 20, 2021.
• The essence of instituting the yearly Prof. Zulu Sofola‘s Day, which has commenced today in Issele-Uku, is not only to celebrate this erudite scholar, prolific writer and matriarch of Nigerian Theatre, but also to join her (Zulu Sofola) with other world’s great people, whose remarkable achievements have earned them special days when people and nations gather to recall and mark their immense contributions to humanity.
  • Comrade Alex Akpuh as quoted in Delta’ll continue to partner NANTAP – Commissioner, Vanguard, July 5, 2018.