1. 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)

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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Sources http://www.chinua-achebe.com/