 Chinua Achebe was born on November 15, 1930, in
Ogidi in Eastern Nigeria.
 His family belonged to the Igbo tribe, and he was
the fifth of six children.
 His parents converted to Christianity and Achebe
was brought up as a Christian, but he remained
curious about the more traditional Nigerian faiths.
 He was educated at a government college in
Umuahia, Nigeria, and graduated from the
University College at Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1954.
 Achebe was unhappy with books about Africa
written by British authors such as Joseph
Conrad (1857–1924) and John Buchan (1875–
1940).
 He felt Africans were portrayed in an inaccurate
and insulting manner.
 He composed his first novel, Things Fall Apart
(1959), the story of a traditional warrior hero
who is unable to adapt to changing conditions
in the early days of British rule.
The Igbo people
Pre-colonial Igbo political organization
was based on communities, devoid
Kings or governing chiefs.
Although title holders were respected
because of their accomplishments, they
were never revered as Kings. Their
responsibility in society was to perform
Special functions given to them by their
Assemblies, not to make laws.
Without a judicial authority the Igbo
settled matters of law by taking an
oath to a god. If the accused died
within a certain amount of time, he
was guilty.
The Igbo are a religious people
who believe in a benevolent
creator usually known as
Chukwu.
The Igbo believe in the concept of
Ofo and Ogu, which is a governing
law of retributive justice. So that if
you are innocent you will be
protected.
In addition each person is
considered to have their own
personal god or Chi which is
credited for both good and bad
luck.
There is a strong belief that
the spirits of one’s
ancestors keep a constant
watch over the living, and
must be placated through
prayer
Some Igbo still practice traditional
Igbo religion. In addition, although
the Igbo were mostly Christianized
beginning in the late 1800’s, many
indigenous belief systems remain
in use and/or have been
incorporated into Christian
worship.
• My Grandmother always
threw salt over her shoulder
for luck.
• Take a minute to note down a
superstition within your own
family that does not make
logical sense.
Please keep this in mind when you are
reading about the unfamiliar beliefs and
customs of the Igbo people.
Eurocentrism: centered on Europe or
the Europeans; especially : reflecting a
tendency to interpret the world in
terms of western and especially
European or Anglo-American values
and experiences
The novel is set during the late 1800s/early
1900s in a small village,Umuofia, in
Southeastern. Umuofia is an Igbo village with
very well defined traditions. It is a village that is
respected by those around it as being powerful
and rich.
Each person has a hut or obi that is
located in the center of a compound.
Each of the wives has a separate obi with
a shed for goats and an attached chicken
coop. The main occupation of the men is
sowing and growing yams since yams
are considered the most important crop.
The women grew less significant crops
like coco-yams, beans and cassava.
Okonkwo
Still only in his thirties, he has three wives and several children who all live
in their own homes in his village compound. He is a very successful farmer
who has very strong economic and political ties to the village and is treated
with admiration and respect. Okonkwo is a man of action.
Obierika
Okonkwo’s close friend, he helps him with the crops during
his period of exile, and keeps him informed of the radical
changes taking place in the village. He is a thoughtful man,
who questions the traditions of society. He is also Maduka
and Ekuke’s father.
Ekwefi
Okonkwo’s second wife, she is the mother of Ezinma, her only
living child, whom she will do anything for even if that means
defying tradition
Ezinma: Ekwefi and Okonkwo’s daughter, she is born
after many miscarriages and is loved and pampered by
her mother. She has a special relationship with Chielo, the
woman who acts as the voice of Agbala, the Oracle.
Okonkwo is fond of her and often wishes that ‘she were a
boy.’
Nwoye
Okonkwo’s son from his first wife.
He is a sensitive young man who,
much to his father’s dismay, joins the
Christian missionaries.
Ikemefuna
A boy who is bought as hostage from
Mbaino, and who lives with Okonkwo for
three years. He is a clever and resourceful
young man yet comes to an unfortunate end.
Chielo
The priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the
Hills and Caves, who carries Ezinma on her
back to the caves, saying that Agbala wants
to see her.
Uchendu
Okonkwo’s maternal uncle with whom he
spends seven years of his exile, along with
his family.
Mr. Brown The Christian missionary who first introduces the tenets of
Christianity to the people to take them away from their superstitious
and age-old customs. He is a kind and understanding man who is
accommodating towards the Igbo.
Reverend James Smith
Mr Brown’s successor, he openly condemns Mr. Brown’s policy of
compromise and accommodation and attempts to efface all aspects of
Igbo culture.