The Igbo people often participate in various acts of cultural violence willed by the Oracle and other sacred religious decrees ingrained within the various tribes. Many acts that take place are socially accepted and sanctioned; however, the Igbo have developed and changed their views on these traditions over time in order to fit the needs and desires of the tribes. As stated by the article, “[w]e must say that there was a tradition of analyzing and adjusting certain traditions within the culture” (Hoegberg 60). The main argument of the article is that the Igbo culture often changes its interpretation of cultural violence by going against conventionally accepted customs in order to fit the needs of the current time, and thus, is hypocritical
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Upon discussion between the elders’ mulling of action, “[a]n ultimatum was immediately dispatched to Mbaino asking them to choose between war on the one hand, and on the other offer of a young man and a virgin as compensation” (Achebe 11). Had bloody conflict broken out, many sacred Igbo traditions could have potentially been discontinued and perhaps the dissolution of many aspects of culture could have taken place. Absolution from war allows for further trade, interaction, and religious ceremonies such as The Weak of Peace to take place. The sacrifice of Ikemefuna, while going against some basic values, ultimately helped preserve the Igbo as a whole.
While it may seem the Igbo are driving against societal norms and crudely shattering old ways, alternatively, they are merely attempting to further preserve their way of life by adapting it to modern times. The death of Ikemefuna was terribly unfortunate and further depressing in the context of his life and our Western humanistic ideals. However, the two tribes sought to avert conflict by sacrificing the needs of the few rather than the many. Ultimately, the murder of Ikemefuna prevented the outbreak of war and preserved peace and tradition between the
Upon discussion between the elders’ mulling of action, “[a]n ultimatum was immediately dispatched to Mbaino asking them to choose between war on the one hand, and on the other offer of a young man and a virgin as compensation” (Achebe 11). Had bloody conflict broken out, many sacred Igbo traditions could have potentially been discontinued and perhaps the dissolution of many aspects of culture could have taken place. Absolution from war allows for further trade, interaction, and religious ceremonies such as The Weak of Peace to take place. The sacrifice of Ikemefuna, while going against some basic values, ultimately helped preserve the Igbo as a whole.
While it may seem the Igbo are driving against societal norms and crudely shattering old ways, alternatively, they are merely attempting to further preserve their way of life by adapting it to modern times. The death of Ikemefuna was terribly unfortunate and further depressing in the context of his life and our Western humanistic ideals. However, the two tribes sought to avert conflict by sacrificing the needs of the few rather than the many. Ultimately, the murder of Ikemefuna prevented the outbreak of war and preserved peace and tradition between the