Death And The Kings Horseman

In Wole Soyinkas’s Death and The Kings Horseman, District Officer Pilkings is ignorant in his acceptance of the Yoruba traditional values and mannerisms. He demonstrates this throughout the play, as his actions are catalyzed by insensitivity, ignorance, and an overall difficulty of accepting native Yoruba culture. Consequentially, Pilkings prevents Elesin from committing ritual suicide, and in his mind believes his actions are justified. His rationale is dictated by (1) his lack of respect for religion and/or beliefs foreign to him, (2) his failure to understand the cultural differences between Nigerian and British colonials, and (3) his inability to acknowledge Yoruba spiritual beliefs.
When Officer Pilkings is introduced into the play, both him and his wife are dressed in native death costumes and masks highly respected by the people of Yoruba. To Pilkings, the costumes are simply what will win the couple prize and attention at the country club. However, when native Sergeant Amusa is brought in front of the two, he is stunned and unable to speak, as the costumes of course frighten him. “Oh Amusa, what a let down you are.” I swear by you at the club you know – thank God for Amusa, he doesn’t believe in any mumbo-jumbo. And now look at you!” (Soyinka, 19). This demonstrates Pilkings’ lack of respect for death and tribal superstition, as

he is not one bit bothered by the desecration of the Yoruba religious attires. His decline when asked to remove the costume in the presence of Amusa proves to show how little consideration he holds for the native culture, and also how incredibly ignorant the man also is.
As the ‘culture clash’ between the native Yoruba and British colonials grows increasingly evident, Pilkings not only continues to demonstrate his lack of respect for the norms and practices of the Yoruba, but also his inability to understand cultural norms. This drives a wedge in between what Pilkings sees as correct and what is really viewed as dismissive of native ideas and values. “The old pagan wanted him to stay and carry on some family tradition or the other. Honestly I couldn’t understand the fuss he made,” he says as he replies to his houseboy describing Yoruba male family tradition (23). Officer Pilkings’ Christian background of course also includes no education of Nigerian spiritual beliefs; therefore it is of no surprise as to why he sees his actions as justifiable.
Similarly, Pilkings’ inability to acknowledge the native values of the Yoruba people also contribute to how he rationalizes.

“I don’t have to stop anything. If they want to throw themselves off the top of a cliff or poison themselves for the sake of some barbaric custom what is that to me?” His failure to acknowledge the meaning behind sacrifice in Yoruba religion is also very hypocritical- as Christ in that of his own religion sacrificed himself! It is easier to have tunnel vision in the midst of a changing and growing society, than to address every obstacle with an open eye- Officer Pilkings’s actions serve as a prime

example.
As the play concludes, the officer’s decision to prevent Elesin from committing ritual suicide is limited by none other than himself. By his insensitiveness, by his disrespect, and by his lack of compassion, he teaches a valuable lesson to those that understand the story of Death and The King’s Horseman. By failing to view things from a different perspective, failing to respect, understand, and acknowledge any culture, ones actions and mindset can have incredible and profound effects on their decision-making. As for Pilkings, his actions throughout the play not only result in the death of Olunde (which he didn’t want) but also disrupt and bring calamity to the Nigerian cosmic order. District Officer Pilkings’ rationale, although seen to himself as justifiable, demonstrates how one can exist in a community and be immersed in a culture yet at the same time not be able to be present at all.