Dramatic Literature as a Catalyst for National Integration and Peace: Insights from Ahmed Yerima’s Pari

Abstract

The stage has always been a canvas for storytelling, a place where profound truths meet human experience. As seminal works within Christian moralistic and Yoruba cultural frameworks, these plays serve as profound examples of how theatre can communicate spiritual themes, moral values, and religious teachings.  This study explores the roles of theatrical texts as vehicles for evangelism, focusing on a comparative analysis of Everyman and Eniyan. These plays, though separated by centuries and cultural contexts, share a common goal: to illuminate spiritual truths and guide audiences toward moral reflection. Everyman, a medieval Christian morality play, employs allegorical characters to dramatize the journey of the soul toward salvation. Eniyan, a Yoruba adaptation, reimagines this narrative through the lens of African traditions, blending universal religious themes with cultural specificity. By examining the dramaturgy, thematic structures, and audience reception of these works, this research reveals how theatre transcends cultural boundaries to communicate divine messages. The study demonstrates the enduring power of theatrical texts to inspire spiritual transformation and foster deeper connections between faith and art. By evaluating their textual and performative dimensions, the research underscores the potential of theatrical texts as dynamic tools for evangelism, capable of engaging diverse audiences while fostering spiritual reflection and transformation. Implicitly, the study contributes to the broader discourse on the interplay between religion, culture, and the performing arts.