Ancient Songs Set Ablaze constitutes the first systematic study of the plays of Femi Osofisan, winner in 1983 of the first Assciation of Nigerian Authors prize for drama. Osofisan is one of the most respected and prolific African writers. He uses a postcolonial history of poverty political unrest, and social corruption to create theatre pieces that range from social protest dramas, to murder mysteries, to farces. His style encompasses such African performance practices as story-telling, dance dramas, and dilemma tales. As his work gains in popularity in the United States, Osofisan has begun to obtain commissions and productions on American college campuses and regional theatres nationwide.