Who is Elesin?

Elesin is a middle-aged, well-loved and well-respected member of King’s Horseman. The death of the King means that he must commit suicide to guide the King through the afterlife. Throughout his service, Elesin has enjoyed all the rewards of his position, and on the night he is to die, he spies a beautiful young girl, and marries her, so that he may have sex with her. He loses his nerve to die, and does not fulfill his duty of suicide. He blames the British for stopping him, and then later his new wife, before realizing the fault lies with him. When Elesin’s son Olunde dies to save the family’s honor and the honor of the tribe, Elesin kills himself.