Igbo Tribe

764 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The effect of religion on society

As a member outside of the Ibo tribe one may look at their culture in disorientation due to their own political views. Viewing the operations of citizens in distinctive governments demonstrates the immunity that individuals have towards their own cultural government. Individuals will begin to automatically presume that the alternative government is uncivilized. The process of civilization is when a society reaches social development. The Ibo culture best construes civilization through the book “ “ written by . “TITLE” informs readers about the justice system, gender roles and the establishment of relationships within the Ibo tribe.
In order to keep the culture civilized, the Ibos formulated a justice system. According to Things Fall Apart, …show more content…

This meant that the whole tribe came to the funeral of where Ezeudu rested, this was a sign of respect the tribal members paid unto their leader. Another relationship based on respect is described in the scene where Ojiugo went to get her hair done and showed up late to prepare Okonkwo lunch. Nwoye’s mother made an excuse for her being late because she did not want Okonkwo to harm Ojiugo as much (Achebe, 1994, pg29). This scene proves that the wives respect one another and share sisterhood because they look out for each other when one messes up. The women in the Ibo culture give their share of respect to the first wives. “Anasi was the first wife and the others could not drink before her, and so they stood waiting...there was authority in her bearing and she looked every inch the ruler of the womenfolk” (Achebe, 1994, pg20). Therefore, this illustrates the level of respect for the first wife, the wives honor the first why by waiting in respect of the first wife to drink. On the contrary side, there are several aspects of the Ibo culture that are not …show more content…

One may believe that this is true due to the gun shot Okonkwo fired at one of his wives, “Unfortunately for her Okonkwo heard it and ran madly into his room for the loaded gun. Ran out and aimed at her… He pressed the trigger and there was a loud report accompanied by the wail of his wives and children” (Achebe, 1994, pg 39). The gun shot that Okonkwo fired at his wife portrays how Okonkwo has no respect towards her. If Okonkwo respected his wife or even ardored her, he would not even allow his anger escalate to the point where he points a gun at his own wife. However, in order for the Ibo society to maintain a civilized culture, relationships should not be abusive. When a problem erupted in Things Fall Apart between Uzowulu and his wife, Mgbafo, they went to the evil spirits for direction in search of a solution to why Uzowulu kept severally beating on Mgbafo (Achebe, 1994, pg 87-93). This section of the novel validates how the members of Ibo tribe take action when a serious problem occurs, just as Uzowulu and Mgbafo proceeded. If Okonkwo repetitively threatened his wife with a gun, the tribe would have been forced to take action and get the evil spirits involved, proving the civilization between the Ibo tribe members, they will get involved by any means

Show More
Related

  • Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

    603 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, the Ibo culture revolves around structured gender roles, from the crops that the men and women grow, to the characterization of crimes,which creates tension between the sexes and will ultimately lead to detrimental consequences. Things Fall Apart represents the hardships and struggles between females and males. For example, Ekwefi, the wife of Okonkwo, she is often beat for the things she has genuinely forgotten about . Also, we have Enzima, Okonkwo's favorite daughter, but since she is a female, she must be treated like a women. Although females are considered the weaker gender, they possess many qualities that make them worthy, such as bearing children. Achebe explained the importance of both genders and how they contribute to the society.

    Read More

  • Dorothy Lee Individual Autonomy And Social Structure

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the article “Individual Autonomy and Social Structure,” by Dorothy Lee, a comparative method is used to understand various cultures in order to resolve conflicts that we experience in our Western society. The key social problem Lee is addressing in this article is the conflict between personal autonomy and cultural framework. She believes that Western culture lacks integrity and human dignity and this can be amended by looking at practices in the Wintu Indians’ culture. This essay will show how social structure and personal autonomy can coexist by examining the Wintu Indians’ language structure.

    Read More

  • Definition Of Igbo Culture In Nigeria

    782 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first way the Ibo culture of Nigeria is civilized is through the government. The government takes care of issues in a fair way. After both sides were done speaking at the Egwugwu Ceremony, the Evil Forest said, “Our duty is not to blame this man or praise that, but to settle the dispute” (Chapter 10 pg.93) The Evil Spirits main goal was not trying to blame the person who did wrong, but to solve the problem in a fair manner to get it over with. Another example of how the Ibo culture is civilized through government is it is organized with rules. The government leaders made white men go back to their own land so they wouldn’t change the Ibo culture. As it says in the article Political Colonization, “They said the land had changed and that they were dying. And they demand that all white men go back to their own country so that the land might return to the way it was before the british came.” The government made that rule because it would help the Ibo culture stay alive and not transfer over to another culture. The last way the Ibo culture is civilized through government is

    Read More

  • Okonkwo Masculinity Quotes

    483 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the situation with his youngest wife, Ojiugo, Okonkwo was waiting for her to bring him his dinner, but to have it to never come due to her leaving the house to get her hair plaited. Okonkwo becomes angered because of this, and when she returned he beat her, even though there should be no violence during the Week of Peace. He had other wives at the time who were in the household that could have gotten his meal at the time, but because he was so overwhelmed with anger that she defied him, he resorted to violence. Okonkwo’s anger was not justified, he did not have to beat his Ekwefi or Ojiugo in either of those situations. The only reason he beaten them in the first place was a way for Okonkwo to assert his dominance and show that he should not be opposed of, that he is “strong.” This is a clear example of toxic masculinity being shown through Okonkwo’s action of the traits of domestic violence and the devaluation of women. Although women are generally considered to be the weaker sex in the Ibo culture, they hold an important role in the tribe as

    Read More

  • Cultural Change Explored in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

    1874 Words  | 4 Pages

    William James, a famous American philosopher, once stated, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives”. This quotation effectively illustrates how change in one’s attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs can alter the environment in which one lives. This concept is clearly demonstrated throughout the novel Things Fall Apart, authored by Chinua Achebe, by establishing a connection through the development of its characters and the change in traditional African tribal villages seen in the Nineteenth Century. It will be established how various characters demonstrated by the author throughout the novel exemplify how change in one’s attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs can alter the environment in which one lives addressed by William James’s quote above. First, by analyzing Achebe’s development of Okonkwo’s character through his initial character description and the emergence of outsiders, it is evident that he is portrayed as an old fashioned character that is less responsive to change. Secondly, through examining Nwoye’s character, Okonkwo’s son, it becomes apparent that the youth in the novel are more open-minded, easily persuadable and more adaptive to societal changes. Lastly, uncovering the meaning behind the arrival of European missionaries, it becomes apparent that Achebe defines this group as being a “disease”, poisoning the society in which Okonkwo lives. The author look’s at individuals as being critical and influential figures in shaping the environment to which they belong, beginning with Okonkwo.

    Read More

  • Paper

    750 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the book, the Ibo shows their traditions and harmless ways. This peaceful tribe has many traditions. One of the main traditions is their type of respect. The first type of respect we see is the use of Kola nuts when visiting someone’s Obi(hut). Okoye comes to see Unoka. Unoka is Okonkwo’s father. Okonkwo is very ashamed of his father because Unoka is always borrowing money, doesn’t have a job and is weak. So Okoye comes to see Unoka one day and brings a Kola nut. “‘I have Kola,’ he announced when he sat down, and passed the disc over to his guest.”(1.6) To show respect, one brings a Kola nut to a person’s hut. This shows peace and hospitality. Another example of respect is communication. “Among the Ibos 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.” (1.14) The last example of their peaceful traditions are the stories they tell on rainy days.“At such times, in each of the countless thatched huts of Umuofia, children sat around their mother’s cooking fire telling stories, or with their father in his obi warming themselves from a log fire, roasting and eating maize. It was a brief resting ...

    Read More

  • Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, women play the roles of oppressed homemakers that are perceived as weak and defenseless second-class citizens, as the educators of children, and as spiritual leaders in traditional Ibo culture. Through the life of Okonwo, the main character of Things Fall Apart, the roles of women in traditional Ibo culture are presented through various events that take place in the village of Umuofia. In traditional Ibo culture, women were to stay at home and tend to her husbands’ needs and satisfy them. Women were viewed as property of their fathers and were then sold to the suitor that was willing to pay her bride-price. A woman had no identity of her own, the status and position of her husband defined her. Women were considered inferior to men and were not to challenge or question their authority. When Nwoye’s mother or Okonwo’s senior wife questioned how long was Ikemefuna to stay with them, Okonwo was stunned at her questioning him and furiously responded, “ Do what you are told, woman ,” When did you become one of the ndichie of Umuofia?”(14). And so Nwoye’s mother took Ikemefuna to her hut and asked no more questions. In observance with the Ibo view of female nature, the clan allowed wife beating. The novel describes two instances when Okonwo beats his wives. The first instance is when Okonwo beats his wife, Ojiugo for not coming home to prepare his meal. He beat her severely and was punished but only because he beat her during The Week of Peace. Any other time people would not have come over to see why a woman was screaming, but this was during the Week of Peace, and to beat someone during The Week of Peace was unheard of. The second instance is when he beats his second wife, Ekwefi for ...

    Read More

  • Culture In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    1337 Words  | 3 Pages

    respect. Achebe shows this through the palm wine ceremony at Nwakibie’s obi, “Anasi was the first wife

    Read More

  • Gender Roles In The Igbo Tribe

    1324 Words  | 3 Pages

    During post colonial times men and women in the Igbo society had several different roles in the household, the tribe, and in the fields. The male and female roles in the Igbo tribe are determined by many different things throughout the tribe. Genders help determine what that person will be doing. Men and women both have very important roles in the household, tribe, and fields. The women in the Igbo tribe are more in charge of the children, the cooking and the cleaning and the males are in charge of the fields and taking care of the family. The males are the more incharge gender within the tribe and the women must obey everything that the male wants.

    Read More

  • Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    904 Words  | 2 Pages

    To start with, the advantages of the Igbo social structure included a balanced society, equality, distribution of labor, a surplus of food, separate huts, a collective society, and some form of government. A centralized society was achieved through the Igbo social structure. This structure served the purpose to impose the same religion upon the people to enforce a common belief. By organizing the society, the people could follow the idea of “unity” to prevent any conflicts or disagreements within the community. Along with a unified society, some kind of equal status came as a result of the social structure that has been established within the clan. Although the social hierarchy did not promote equal status between men and women, it did, to some extent, promote equality within the division of labor among the people. It relieved the pressure of stress, which may have been bestowed up...

    Read More

  • How Does Chinua Achebe Depict Ibo Culture In Things Fall Apart?

    1510 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Ibo culture is also depicted as primitive and unjust by Achebe. This is noted in the primitive aspects of the Ibo people’s system of belief, which appears uncivilised and unjust. These examples of the Ibo culture are then combined with and redisplayed by the other primary method that Achebe uses to depict the dual aspects of Ibo culture, the two missionaries figures. Firstly Mr. Brown is utilised in a way that acknowledges the sophisticated structure and beliefs of the Ibo culture and improvement brought to the Ibo people through the missionaries involvement in the village.

    Read More

  • Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart - Women's Role in the Ibo Society

    1170 Words  | 3 Pages

    A main character in the novel, Okonkwo has several wives. He orders them around like dogs. They are never to question what they are instructed to do; they are expected to be obedient. We see this early in the story, when Okonkwo brings Ikemefuna into his home. Okonkwo tells his senior wife that Ikemefuna belongs to the tribe and that she is expected to look after him. She in turn asks him if he will be staying with them for a long period of time. This sends Okonkwo into a fury. He snaps at her in a very degrading manner, "Do what you are told woman. When did you become one of the ndichie (meaning elders) of Umuofia?"(pg.12) Clearly she receives no respect. Later in the story we see this woman try to comfort Ikemefuna. She "mothers" him as if he is one of her own children. She tries to put him at ease and can almost instinctively feel how much he misses his own mother.

    Read More

  • An Analysis of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

    660 Words  | 2 Pages

    This novel also provided a very detailed, and seemingly accurate, account of the lives of the Ibo. The Ibo were an extremely spiritual people who answered to their gods daily. A hardworking people who based their personal worth on their community and crop achievements. Their yam crops were the backbone of the community and he who possessed the largest crops were usually respected by all in the community. The Ibo were a very gendered people. The men normally made all the rules and the woman were taught to respect their husbands decisions. In particular, Okonkwo ruled his household with an iron fist. He often beat his wives for small reasons and felt little to no remorse for doing so. While it was not uncommon for the men of the Ibo tribe to beat their wives if they disobeyed orders, Okonkwo was a character that oftentimes took it too far. In one point in the novel he badly beat one of his wives, Ojiugo, during the sacred week. During this time no one in the tribe is to commit such acts, as it is a time for peace. By beating his wife, he defied the gods and was forced to offer up animal sacrifices and payment to them. This one of Okonkwo's major character flaws, he is stubborn and self-righteous, and wishes to answer to nobody but himself. This even leads to eventual fate, when he refuses to join the Christians when most everyone else of the tribe gave in to their ideas.

    Read More

  • Conflict in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

    1079 Words  | 3 Pages

    First, the book introduces the many inequalities between men and women. In the novel, Achebe tells of Okonkwo beating his wives and it still being socially acceptable. A woman is never allowed to fight back or stand up for herself because she is the equivalent of a servant to a master. Achebe also mentions, "No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man” (Achebe 53). This excerpt from the novel exemplifies the controlling and dominance the men have over women in this Nigerian culture. Unfortunately, this inequality, although not completely tolerated, still exists today. It is proven that every woman has or will experience discrimination from men in their life (Crawford). While the abuse of women is not generally accepte...

    Read More

  • Male And Women In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

    1132 Words  | 3 Pages

    By nature, Achebe is talking about how Okonkwo returns to his mother 's clan after being exiled from his village. Since the female is considered the weaker sex for child bearing they also share a special bond with their children that men do not, “it’s true that a child belongs to its father. But when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother’s hut. A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you. She is buried there. And that is why we say that mother is supreme (134).” Achebe uses this example to prove that in Umofia women are not respected the way they should be. In Mbanta where Okonkwo travels after he is exiled things are different for him because women are viewed in a positive perspective, as in Umofia women are viewed as weak and negative in the society. But when Okonkwo goes to his motherland, it’s Achebe’s way of saying that because his mother is buried there, she is protecting Okonkwo and that is why he says that, “mother is supreme”. However, mother’s were not the only women to hold a positive impact on a man. Ezinma, Okonkwo’s daughter got along with him so well he often wishes she was a male so he could be closer to her and she could make him proud. Unlike Okonkwo’s other children, Ezinma, one of the Igbo females

    Read More

More about Igbo Tribe

Open Document