Feminism and the change mantra in Akinwunmi Isola's dramatic text of Madam Efunroye Tinubu: The Iyalode Egba

Abstract

People from all human endeavours are pessimistic about change and this includes women. Feminism is the scientific study of female gender and their  concerns. Men and women alike have become advocates of feminism. It has been observed since creation that some women rose to prominence as a  result of their resolution to liberate themselves and their fellow women from male’s dominance, which have subjected them to much hardship and  injustice in their immediate societies. The worse vilification of women persists more in Africa where women are considered as chattels as well as objects  to be seen and not to be heard. This tendency has been challenged by women in their attempts to break the barrier and demonstrate the relevance of  women in their communities. One notable woman among them was Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the Iyalode of Egba. She was a merchant who supplied  different farm produce to European merchants who used Lagos as exit point for exportation. With their interaction with the indigenous people of Lagos,  the British merchants extended their concerns beyond merchandise and began to poke their nose into governance. This was met with stiff opposition  from Madam Efunroye Tinubu who boldly attempted restricting them to partnership in trade than intruding into governance of which they were novice.  King Dosunmu did not see anything good in what Tinubu was championing. This uncompromising move consequently led to her banishment as they saw  her enormous power culminating into a hard nut for them to crack. The leadership role she played though not appreciated, resulted in a leadership  institution that served as road map for other women to follow. For this reason, this paper examines the text: Madam Tinubu: The Iyalode Egba written by  Akinwunmi Isola as historical performance narration that epitomizes the role of women in governance and activism. The text exemplifies the presence of  women fold in societal building.