African American Colonization In Things Fall Apart

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The late 19th century was an eventful and defining time in world history. Africa was being divided and colonized by the Europeans and faced with a cultural shift to European standards, while America was embroiled in a “civil” war. Reading the book “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe opened my eyes to the struggles Africans faced during this time of European colonization. A large part of the colonization revolved around religion and the adoption of Christianity. While some Africans accepted this change and joined the Christian Church, others struggled and resisted. The story focuses on Okonkwo, a warrior from the Umuofia Clan, and the impact of European Colonization on daily life for himself and his village. In particular, it focuses on how …show more content…

An example of this is in Chapter 22 when a dancer’s mask was been removed. “The next day all the masked egwugwu of Umuofia assembled in the marketplace. They came from all the quarters of the clan and even from the neighboring villages. The dreaded Otakagu came from Imo, and Ekwensu, dangling a white cock arrived from Uli. It was a terrible gathering. The eerie voices of countless spirits, the bells that clattered behind some of them, and the clash of machetes as they ran forwards and background and saluted one another, sent tremors of fear into every heart. For the first time in living memory the sacred bullroarer was heard in broad daylight.” (Achebe …show more content…

Okonkwo too had his morning ritual of worshipping the shrines. While the Umuofian rituals are more religious based than at THS, this is in part due to the fact that THS is a public school, THS respects and supports the rituals of the various religions and cultures of its students. As such, while in the book the Week of Peace where “No work was done” (Achebe 26), is similar to our holiday break in December where we have a week off and students celebrate their individual religions and the New Year. While rituals are repeated symbolic actions and celebrations are more social based gatherings showing appreciation, both are key to life here at THS. Another ritual at THS is the graduation ceremony. While it is also a celebration of seniors successfully completing four years of high school, there are many symbolic rituals such as the cap and gown, the precession, speeches, and the awarding of diplomas. This is a unifying event that highlights both the ritual and celebratory aspects at

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