Igbo people

Have you ever experienced or thought about what it would be like if an authoritative figure came into your society and changed your traditions and values? Chinua Achebe explores this cultural shift in the Igbo society through a postcolonial lense. A postcolonial critical lense offers a framework for looking at the similarities among all critical theories that deal with human oppression. Achebe`s education in english and his cultural European experiences has allowed him to capture both the…

traditions and values of Igbo society. The interrelation is visible throughout the novel of religion beliefs, language customs and government structure. The authority of the clan is in the hands of the Oracle of the Hills and Caves and clan elders. The Oracle of the Hills and Caves seems to be a chief authority that directs his orders through his priestess. Interestingly, when Oracle commands Ikemefuna to die no one question that decision even though…

cases, these roles are even interchangeable and it is acceptable for genders to switch responsibilities. In the Igbo culture in the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, however, this is not the case due to the sexism practiced. Through the novel, Achebe presents a sexist culture. Immediately noticeable, the family structure in the Igbo culture supports sexism. For example, the Igbo culture practices polygamy. Okonkwo has multiple wives, as do many men in Umuofia. The more wives a man has,…

character and also the protagonist. The novel depicts life of Okonkwo, a leader and local wrestling champion in Umuofia. Specifically around this time period agriculture,culture, and tradition and was an important role in Africa on survival. In some ways people living there life in the village of Umuofia was very unique but also different in numerous ways, with certain jobs that they would have to be met. Around this…

The Ibo people of Nigeria have gone untouched from the outside world for hundreds of years. In the novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, it is depicted how it would be the arrival of Europeans that would forever alter the Ibo culture and Nigeria as a whole. Europeans were able to influence many aspects of Igbo society. It is through religion, government, and education that the Europeans were able to have a lasting impact on Nigerian culture. Religion of the Ibo people was very much…

persons and forces. Okonkwo is the main character in Things Fall Apart, and he has different views of the women in his life. When Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, was still alive, he was a cheater and shameful. He was unreliable and an embarrassment to the Igbo society and to Okonkwo. Growing up, Okonkwo was faced with having a failure as a father; Unoka was called “Agbala” by the other kids, which meant man with no title (World Eras 3). He eventually compared his father to the women in his clan, for…

"Igbo people are violent savages who needed to be colonized and civilized." This is what many people thought before Chinua Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart. There was prejudice against African tribes depicting them as backwards and uncivilized, that was largely based on misunderstand or lack of information because all books about them had bee published by colonizers. This is why Chinua Achebe used his upbringing and personal experiences to tell the story from their perspective. "Things Fall Apart"…

public to the life of African culture. Growing up in the Igbo society in Nigeria, Achebe was influenced by the many aspects of his culture, his family, and the people that surrounded him. The many aspects of his life growing up in African culture influenced Chinua Achebe in his literary works by being a great believer of peace and equality. Chinua Achebe was born on November 15, 1930, in Ogidi, Nigeria. He and his family belonged to the Igbo tribe and was one of six children. Early in his…

Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the Igbo culture is a primary influence setting boundaries that define masculine and feminine roles in the clan of Umuofia. The actions carried out by men and women in the Igbo culture are crucial for defying the level of gender orientation one has, ultimately determining their position and importance in society. These gender roles that men and women are held to in Umuofia confine the individuals to the expectations established by the Igbo culture, limiting them of…

Marcus Garvey states, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” (BrainyQuote.com.) In history, especially during colonization, foreign powers have attempted practices to eradicate the culture and traditions of Native and African people. In the novels Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the protagonists Saul and Okonkwo are forced to integrate into the Caucasian culture, having their own cultures…