Death and the King's Horseman

Content Warning: This section of the study guide references ritual suicide and death by suicide.

Elesin Oba is the protagonist and titular horseman of Death and the King’s Horseman. After the Yoruba king dies, Elesin is expected to follow the leader into the afterlife through death by ritual suicide. At his first entrance, he is described as “a man of enormous vitality, [who] speaks, dances and sings with that infectious enjoyment of life which accompanies all his actions” (9). He is well-loved by everyone in his community and is known for his jokes, laughter, and womanizing, but also for his honorable reputation. Elesin’s role as the king’s horseman permitted him access to many of life’s luxuries, including rich foods, beautiful women, and fine clothes, which he is candid and even boastful about enjoying. Despite the obvious pleasure that Elesin takes in life, he is committed to fulfilling his duty and repeatedly rebukes Iyaloja and the Praise-Singer’s suggestions that he might fail.

However, when he sees a beautiful young girl at the market, Elesin immediately wants her for himself. When he discovers she is betrothed to someone else, he becomes “irritated” and insists that he “deserve[s] a bed of honor to lie upon” (20).