Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe

“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” --Chinua Achebe

The Novel Achebe’s novel deals with the changes in culture brought about in what is now Nigeria, when the “white man” began colonizing the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Novel focuses primarily on the Igbo people.

Nigeria Largest country in Africa (130,000,000) 50% Muslim, 40% Christian, 10% Traditional Comprised of various tribal societies with independent cultures and histories. Yoruba Igbo Hausa

Colonialism What is Colonialism? Political Domination The Establishment of a Government Large-Scale Religious Conversion Forced Economic Dependence

Justifications for Colonialism Economic Colonialism provided a huge natural resource base for small European powers Colonies provided ready markets for finished products Religious: The need to spread Christianity Cultural: “The White Man’s Burden”

The Igbo The majority of Igbo are farmers. Their staple crop is yam, and its harvesting is a time for great celebration. They have no centralized chieftaincy, hereditary aristocracy, or kingship customs Instead, the responsibility of leadership has traditionally been left to the village councils.It is possible for an Igbo man, through personal success, to become the nominal leader of the council.

The Igbo Before the influence of Europeans and Christian missions, most Igbo practiced some form of ancestor worship, which held that in order to gain success in this world, one must appease of the spirits of the deceased.

Igbo Vocabulary Agbala - woman, or man without title Bride-price - converse of dowry; the bridegroom's family pays cash or goods to the bride's family Chi - personal spirit Egwugwu - a masquerader who represents the ancestral spirits of the village at trials and ceremonies. The egwugwu ceremony of the Ibo (chapter 10) Foo-foo - pounded yam, traditional staple food of Igbo

Vocab Kola nut - seed pod of evergreen trees common in Western Africa, which contains caffeine and is offered as a gesture of friendship and hospitality. Obi - male living quarter

Important Ceremonies and Traditions Bride price Dry Season Egwugwu ceremony Engagement ceremony Funeral Ceremony

Ceremonies and traditions Feast of the New Year Kola-nut ceremony Palm-wine tapping Polygamy Week of Peace

Major Characters Okonkwo--The Tragic Hero, a hard working leader of Umoufia, Okonkwo fears weakness and laziness. His rage causes a great deal of tragedy and sorrow in his life. Nwoye--Okonkwo’s eldest son. Okonkwo fears that he will be soft and lazy like his grandfather. Nwoye tries to please Okonkwo, but rarely does

Characters Enzinma--Okwonkwo’s favorite child, ironically a daughter. She Is the only child of Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife. Ikemefuna--Okwonkwo’s adopted son. He is given to Okonkwo to pacify a debt with another tribe. Unoka--Okonkwo’s father. Okonkwo is ashamed of him because he was a lazy man.

Characters The District Commisioner-- An authority figure in the white colonial government in Nigeria. He thinks that he understands everything about native African customs and cultures and he has no respect for them Mr. Brown --The first white missionary to travel to Umuofia. Mr. Brown institutes a policy of compromise, understanding, and non- aggression between his flock and the clan.

Characters Reverend James Smith --The missionary who replaces Mr. Brown. Unlike Mr. Brown, Reverend Smith is uncompromising and strict. He demands that his converts reject all of their indigenous beliefs, and he shows no respect for indigenous customs or culture.