In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, we are introduced to the peoples of Umuofia and their battle to save the sanctity of the Ibo culture from the oppression by British Colonists. Near the end of the 1800’s the “Scramble for Africa” was well under way, and British colonist influence began to appear in Nigeria as well as the presence of missionaries, who brought with them the word of God. Colonization, is the migration of a large quantity of one or more groups to a colonial area, whom keep links with their country to obtain special rights and privileges over others previously residing there.
Colonization efforts within Nigeria can be dated back to the 1700’s, but colonization itself has existed for many, many years. One of the first recorded phenomena of …show more content…
The presence of British influence in the western region of Africa had been steadily increasing since the late 1700’s, and only up until mid-1880, did they manage to secure a foothold within the area. In the novel, the Catholic missionaries who are sent to Umuofia, built a school, hospital and set up trading posts to increase the amount of currency coming into and out of the villages. With intentions to enlighten the Ibo people, and convert them to Christianity in hopes to “civilize” their ways, they openly belittle the beliefs of the Ibo. Accusing them of committing sins by holding the idols of their culture as representations of gods. The missionaries immediately sparked interest in the villagers as they sang songs and hymns. Outcasts, who were men of no title, Osu, men without respect, found great interest in these missionaries and their odd ways of life. Due to the fact that the missionaries did not enforce a caste system within their people, they welcomed the Osu with open arms. During this time was when the way of the Ibo people began to fall
Colonization efforts within Nigeria can be dated back to the 1700’s, but colonization itself has existed for many, many years. One of the first recorded phenomena of …show more content…
The presence of British influence in the western region of Africa had been steadily increasing since the late 1700’s, and only up until mid-1880, did they manage to secure a foothold within the area. In the novel, the Catholic missionaries who are sent to Umuofia, built a school, hospital and set up trading posts to increase the amount of currency coming into and out of the villages. With intentions to enlighten the Ibo people, and convert them to Christianity in hopes to “civilize” their ways, they openly belittle the beliefs of the Ibo. Accusing them of committing sins by holding the idols of their culture as representations of gods. The missionaries immediately sparked interest in the villagers as they sang songs and hymns. Outcasts, who were men of no title, Osu, men without respect, found great interest in these missionaries and their odd ways of life. Due to the fact that the missionaries did not enforce a caste system within their people, they welcomed the Osu with open arms. During this time was when the way of the Ibo people began to fall