Kola Ogunmola
Encyclopedia
Elijah Kolawole Ogunmola or Kola Ogunmola (Nov. 11, 1925, Okemesi-Ekiti,Ekiti State, Nigeria - 1973) was a Nigerian dramatist, actor, mime, director, and playwright.
He developed Yoruba
culture, especially folk opera (drama that combines Christian themes with traditional Yoruban folklore, music and dancing, and music popular in urban culture) into a serious theatre form through his work with his Ogunmola Travelling Theatre (founded c. 1947).
They produced an early stage musical version of Amos Tutuola
's The Palm Wine Drinkard, which was performed at the First Pan-African Cultural Congress (Algiers
, 1969).
Ogunmola is regarded as one of the most brilliant actors in Africa in the 1950s and ’60s.
He produced Ife Owo in 1965. It was a satire on marriage and wealth. He used Mime and singing as well as drumming to convey his message. He also produced the dramatic version of Tutuola's The Palmwine Drinker. He also exhibited great ability in acting and directing.
He developed Yoruba
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
culture, especially folk opera (drama that combines Christian themes with traditional Yoruban folklore, music and dancing, and music popular in urban culture) into a serious theatre form through his work with his Ogunmola Travelling Theatre (founded c. 1947).
They produced an early stage musical version of Amos Tutuola
Amos Tutuola
Amos Tutuola was a Nigerian writer famous for his books based in part on Yoruba folk-tales.- Early history :Tutuola was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1920, where his parents Charles and Esther were Yoruba Christian cocoa farmers. When about 7 years old, he became a servant for F.O...
's The Palm Wine Drinkard, which was performed at the First Pan-African Cultural Congress (Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, 1969).
Ogunmola is regarded as one of the most brilliant actors in Africa in the 1950s and ’60s.
He produced Ife Owo in 1965. It was a satire on marriage and wealth. He used Mime and singing as well as drumming to convey his message. He also produced the dramatic version of Tutuola's The Palmwine Drinker. He also exhibited great ability in acting and directing.