Igbo Culture

The Igbo tribes date back thousands of years, possibly to eras that we may have no records about. These people had very traditional ways of living, and when the Europeans arrived there were indefinite efforts to modernize their culture. There are many ways that we can learn about the Igbo culture and traditions today. Firstly, because it remains one of the most well-known and practiced cultures in Africa. With over 18 million people living in “Igboland” in southern Nigeria. There are also many primary sources in the form of novels, documents, and videos. One of the more familiar sources known worldwide is, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The novel Things Fall Apart represents a pure African voice by bringing an eye-opening perspective

Chinua Achebe was born on November 19th, 1930 in Ogidi, Nigeria. Achebe was one of 6 children and was raised in an Igbo village. He was influenced by both Christian and Igbo beliefs. His parents taught Achebe many of the Igbo values, but they were dedicated Evangelical. His father converted to Christianity and worked for missionaries in various parts of Africa for many years with Achebe’s mother(Brooks) Achebe immersed himself in western culture and read stories about everything. Achebe wanted to learn ideas from different perspectives. He came to the realization that it is important to have a different point of view. Having only one version of a story is unhealthy and gives you a biased point of view. After Achebe graduated college and finished working for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, he spoke at various colleges throughout the United States. When he returned to Nigeria he wrote his first book Things Fall Apart to shed light on the life of the Igbo prior to, and following the arrival of the missionaries in his homeland. As well as the inevitable fall of the Igbo

They believed the “chi” would decide whether you would be made for great things or have a life of misfortune. Unoka was an ill- fated man according to his chi. His whole life would be that of misfortune, “ Unoka was an ill-fated man. He had a bad chi or personal god, and evil fortune followed him to the grave, or rather to his death, for he had no grave. He died of the swelling which was an abomination to the earth goddess. When a man was afflicted with swelling in the stomach and the limbs he was not allowed to die in the house. He was carried to the Evil Forest and left there to die” (Achebe 18) One man could not rise beyond the destiny of his chi. Okonkwo attempted to fight his fate with free will. He believed that he couldn't change his fate so he took matters into his own hands and ended his life. Once you say yes your chi also says