Issues of subtitling in Biyi Bandele's Elesin Oba.

This article critically examines subtitling challenges in the Yoruba-language film *Elesin Oba* (2019), directed by Biyi Bandele and adapted from Wole Soyinka’s play *Death and the King’s Horseman*. It highlights how subtitling in African language films, particularly in Nollywood, often suffers from issues such as lack of synchronization with scene realities, inadequate translation of idiomatic expressions, music lyrics, flash-forwards, and culturally embedded concepts, which can lead to misrepresentation and misunderstanding by non-native audiences. The study argues that subtitling should be an active, culturally informed process involving trained professionals to preserve the film’s cultural integrity and promote accurate cross-cultural communication. Drawing on Ngugi wa Thiongo’s concept of “Decolonising the African Mind,” the article underscores the need for subtitlers to possess deep knowledge of African languages and cultures to effectively convey indigenous narratives to global viewers.