Drama

Swahili Drama

 Western-style drama is a relatively new literary genre of Swahili literature (Zúbková, et al, 2009: [171]).  There has been, of course, a long and rich tradition involving the local community in theatrical performance that were and are deeply embedded in dance, song, and ritual. Yet, the realities of the post-colonial experience led some Swahili authors to the realization that a new form of dramatic expression was more appropriate for the times. While connections with traditional form and performance have often carried over into the more Western-inspired works of drama, the past fifty years have witnessed the emergence of a new, and often experimental, form of literary expression.

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