Chinua Achebe Born in Nigeria (1930) Raised in Ogidi (center of Anglican missionary work) Father taught for the Church Missionary Society Graduated from University College, Ibadan (1953)

Chinua Achebe Part 2 Taught for a short period of time Producer for External Broadcasting in Nigeria (1961-1966) Appointed Sr. Research Fellow at U of Nigeria Professor of English at UofMA Amherst (’72-’77, ’87-’88)

The Igbo There are about 8 million Igbos Living in Southeasthern/Southern Nigeria Main language is Igbo Most important crop is yam Became Christianized under British colonization

Igbo People Part 2 Chieftaincy is left to village council (most likely successful males of the village) Ancestor worship is strongly practiced after Christianity Famous for Mbari Architecture (Religious)

Nigeria Western Africa, between Benin and Cameroon Colonized by England, Independence in 1960 Petroleum-based economy Religions=Muslim, Christian and Indigenous Federal Republic Government Main exports=Petroleum, Petroleum products, cocoa and rubber

Umuofia A region of 9 villages in Nigeria where the Igbo people reside Religion=ritualistic, consult with Oracles for daily instructions Traditional Patriarchal Powerful in war

Okonkwo Successful due to his embarrassing father Hard-working, of high status Fear of being like his father (weak, effeminate, irresponsible) Stubborn, harsh, violent, angry

Okonkwo’s Family Okonkwo has 3 wives and 5 children, 1 adopted child His first wife has two sons and one daughter (Nwoye, Ikemefuna and Obiageli) His second wife, Ekwefi, has one daughter, Ezinma His third wife Ojiugo has a daughter named Nkechi Unoka is Okonkwo’s father

Sources http://www.chinua-achebe.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_people http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Igbo.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/things/characters.html