Things Fall Apart is a timeless book and
an extraordinary read. It was penned by Chinua Achebe, one of Africa’s biggest
writers. He wrote droves of interesting and captivating materials that
catapulted him to world renowned status.
Books
like Arrow of God, Anthills of the Savannah, No longer at ease and There Was a Country were
phenomenal best-sellers across the globe. However, Things Fall Apart,
marked a pivotal point in Achebe outstanding career.
Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 Hotel Booking Portal takes a cursory
look at how Chinua used his writings especially in the book Things Fall Apart to promote the Igbo culture and tradition to different readers, in
far flung parts of the world.
Things Fall Apart
Tagged
a classic, Things Fall Apart is
a post-colonial novel written in 1958; two years before Nigeria’s independence. It
tells the tragic tale of Okonkwo, a vivacious man with strong values and
showcases the clash between colonialism and traditional Ibo society.
The
book ably summarizes the palpable tension between villagers who firmly believe
in their set ways and the colonialists, who according to a quote from the book
were treated with disaffection by a people were averse to the religion and
education brought to their homeland by wandering men.
“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with
his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he
has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a
knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”
The Igbos of Eastern Nigeria
Grounded
in culture and tradition, the Igbos have birthplaces in states like Anambra, Abia,
Ebonyi, Enugu, and
Imo. Over the years, they’ve been known to celebrate festivals, preserve their
age long culture and blend the old and the new to create a symphony between
past and present.
However,
most of the young generation from that region and indeed other tribes of
Nigeria are far removed from their traditions. This notwithstanding, it does
not downplay the depth and richness of the Igbo culture but books like Things
Fall Apart serve as an excellent way to preserve the culture no matter how far
off young ones are disconnected from their tradition and values.
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Promoting the Igbo Culture with Things Fall Apart
From the
very opening of the book, we are introduced to the Greatness of Okonkwo. His
might and his façade sent shivers down the spine of his wives. He abhorred
laziness and disliked everything his father liked.
How did
Okonkwo become great? By wrestling. Wrestling showed your strength and if you
were known as a champion, you automatically became one of the lords of the
lands. The show of strength revealed your ability to control your household and
women folk; this is something Okonkwo did perfectly. However, his
uncontrollable anger led to his downfall.
Another
important fact that can’t be overlooked is the use of PROVERBS. Things Fall Apart is spiced
with an uncountable numbers of proverbs from the beginning to the end. This
quote ultimately reflects the importance of refined wisdom in Igbo culture;
“…Having spoken plainly so far, Okoye said the next half a dozen
sentences in proverbs. Among
the Ibo, the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the
palm-oil with which words are eaten. Okoye
was a great talker and he spoke for a long time, skirting round the subject and
then hitting it finally.
“The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those
who kneel under them.”
Other Igbo
cultural valuations that Chinua Achebe promoted in his book include the fact
that the ‘Igbos have no King’. This was clearly seen when Okonkwo was banished
from the village to Mbanta and how the women folk were treated after his exit
from the town.
Indeed,
Chinua Achebe loved his culture passionately which is seen in his all books and
style of writing. His books promoted Igbo culture just like D.O. Fagunwa did
with Yoruba literature.
Despite
been a well-travelled and award winning author, his Igbo cultural background
did radiate. With these literature, especially things fall apart, they can
reliably be a platform charting the compass for Igbo and Nigerian
cultural/traditional recovery.
Adeniyi Ogunfowoke | Travel/Technology Writer
+2348090747241 | Skype: Sleeksavvy
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