Write a critical note on Wole Soyinka's dystopian vision of Nigerian society and culture as presented in "A Dance of the Forests."

The play was written in celebration of Nigerian independence from colonial rulership in 1960. It depicts an image of the world in which human beings are implored not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The image of the fallible mortals who are assembled by Aroni is representative of African politics—the fact that it has been marked by corruption in the past, but has a chance to make right on its past wrongs.

The play suggested, controversially, that imperialism and colonialism were able to thrive in Nigeria as a result of the corruption and backwardness of some of the systems already in place. The play depicts a world in which people must rule themselves vigilantly, and in which nobility and honor must not be punished as it is in the case of the Warrior in Mata Kharibu's court.