Igbo Identity

What defines culture? For that matter what defines a single person? The answer, in part, is identity. Identity unveils what makes a person or group of people unique, or relatable. Identity allows comparison and contrast between individuals to take place. It is for the purpose of unveiling Ibo identity that Chinua Achebe writes Things Fall Apart. The Ibo people are an African culture whose way of life is turned upside down due to European colonialism. Through focusing on Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist, Achebe explains what makes the Ibo people at once both unique and relatable. Ultimately “Chinua Achebe...opened up the magic casements” (Kwane Anthony Appiah) of Ibo identity. So what constitutes the identity of the Ibo people? According to

Hierarchy affects Ibo work life, private life and social life. Hierarchy is directly related to work in Ibo culture. Work acts as a catalyst to catapult men towards achievement. Ibo men work to gain wealth and experience in order to acquire titles as “achievement was revered” (p. 8). The Ibo title system is a distribution of names which rank clansmen. “A man gained titles after acquiring new skills and abilities. Titles gave credit where credit was due” (Karen Auchstaetter). Ibo work life is driven towards climbing up this title system. However, the price of titles is a major factor in who can afford to procure them. Men struggle to pool all their private funds together in an effort to acquire titles. “And now he was going to take the Idemili title, the third highest in the land. It was a very expensive ceremony and he was gathering all his resources together” (p. 7). When a man gains titles he exemplifies the steps of accomplishment he has reached in life. Therefore, hierarchy forms the framing of social interaction. Titles are the standard for comparing men in society. As titles are earned, a man would move up in status or authority. “There were only four titles in the clan, and only one or two men in any generation ever achieved the fourth and highest. When they did, they became the lords of the land” (p.123). Hierarchy by affecting the work life, private life and social life of Ibo people forms the second major pillar

Spirituality is a source of guidance, discipline and justice. Spiritual leaders are a primary source of guidance for the Ibo people. The Oracle is revered “and people came from far and near to consult it [on matters such as] misfortune...dispute...the future” (p. 17). The Oracle’s strong influence is reflected in the story of Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna, a boy who committed no crime, is sentenced to death by the Oracle. Citizens who choose not to take part in the murder are regarded with confusion “as if [they] question the authority and the decision of the Oracle, who said he should die” (p. 66). Spirituality is a source of discipline in Ibo culture. Okonkwo commits a sin against Ani (the earth goddess) by breaking the Week of Peace. He is visited by the priest of Ani who serves Okonkwo his sentence “You will bring to the shrine of Ani tomorrow one she-goat, one hen, a length of cloth and a hundred cowries” (p. 31). Okonkwo also lost more than wealth in this event. There is a sense of communal discipline in Ibo society towards breaking spiritual law. Okonkwo is regarded with contempt by some citizens for his actions. Spirituality is a source of justice in Ibo culture. The ceremony of egwugwu is a judicial proceeding. Ceremonies of egwugwu function to “settle the dispute[s]” of Ibo people. The egwugwu are ancestral spirits of Umuofian ancestors embodied by masked male clan members. The egwugwu were empowered with the