In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe explores the complex social structure of Ibo culture. Taking place in Nigeria during the turn of the eighteenth century, Achebe shows how women were both revered and oppressed. Women were held in high esteem through worship, connection to god, and societal customs. Yet Ibo women suffered under power structures and gender roles.
The most revered gods of the Ibo culture were women. As a sign of respect, the Ibo celebrated “[t]he Feast of the New Yam...every year… to honor the earth goddess” (Achebe 31). Since the earth goddess has power of the entire earth, she is worthy of recognition on an annual basis. The Ibo believed Ani to be “the earth goddess and source of all fertility. Ani played a greater
The most revered gods of the Ibo culture were women. As a sign of respect, the Ibo celebrated “[t]he Feast of the New Yam...every year… to honor the earth goddess” (Achebe 31). Since the earth goddess has power of the entire earth, she is worthy of recognition on an annual basis. The Ibo believed Ani to be “the earth goddess and source of all fertility. Ani played a greater