How Did Real Historical Igbo Society Differ from its Portrayal in Chinua Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart"?

Introduction 

"Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe is a novel that portrays the Igbo society in pre-colonial Nigeria. While it provides valuable insight into the Igbo culture, it is important to note that it is a work of fiction and should not be taken as an accurate portrayal of historical Igbo society. We will study here if Igbo Culture is represented in "Things Fall Apart" or not.

General Argument 

Ever since the publication in 1958 , "Things Fall Apart" is widely considered a seminal work of modern African literature, and has been translated into more than 50 languages. It is a powerful critique of colonialism and its impact on traditional African societies.

Set in the late 19th century in a fictional village in Nigeria called Umuofia, the story follows the life of Okonkwo, a respected warrior and leader of his Igbo community. Okonkwo is a proud and fiercely independent man who is determined to uphold the traditions of his people and protect their way of life from outside influences. However, his life is turned upside down with the arrival of European colonialists who bring with them their own culture, religion, and values. Okonkwo's struggle to maintain his identity in the face of these changes leads to tragedy and his eventual downfall.

Here is vivid portrayal of African culture and society, as well as its exploration of the complex relationship between colonizers and the colonized. Achebe's use of English, the language of the colonizer, to tell the story of a colonized people has also been widely praised. 

Critics have noted the novel's themes of masculinity and the tension between tradition and modernity. Okonkwo's struggle to maintain his position as a traditional male leader in the face of changes brought about by colonialism is seen as a reflection of the broader struggle of African , here, Igbo societies to adapt to the forces of modernity.

However, the novel has also been criticized for its portrayal of women, who are largely relegated to secondary roles in the story. Some have argued that the novel reinforces gender stereotypes and fails to adequately explore the experiences of women in traditional African societies.

Marked Differences

Unveiling the Igbo Society: Traditions, Culture, and Practices

There are several ways in which real historical Igbo society is shown parallel to the novel settings. However few things differed from its portrayal in "Things Fall Apart" and it gathered much criticism from the critics.

The Portrayal of Custom and Tradition: Tribal custom dictates every aspect of members' lives. The tribe determines a man's worth by the number of titles he holds, the number of wives he acquires, and the number of yams he grows. The tribe acknowledges a man's very being by the gods' approval of him. Without custom and tradition, the tribe does not exist. Chinua Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" shows customs and cultures. His hero, Okonkwo's struggle to live up to what he perceives as “traditional” standards of masculinity, and his failure to adapt to a changing world, help point out the importance of custom and tradition in the novel. But Achebe’s perceptions are not in depth study of Igbo culture and customs, but a superficial articulation of reality. It is true that the Ibo tribe defines itself through the age-old traditions it practices in “Things Fall Apart”, they too welcome changes. They are kinetic rather than the stagnant remote race. 

The Portrayal of Violence: The novel depicts a violent and aggressive Igbo society, where conflicts are often resolved through violence. While violence was certainly a part of Igbo culture, it was not the only way in which conflicts were resolved. There were also well-established mechanisms for conflict resolution, such as the use of elders and religious leaders to mediate disputes.

The Role of Women: "Things Fall Apart" has very few Igbo women characters in comparison to male characters. Ekwefi, Okonkwo's second wife, had been lovely in her youth, referred to as 'Crystal of Beauty.' She has become a courageous and strong-willed woman, overcoming disappointment and bitterness in her life. She has borne ten children, only one of which has lived. She stands up in Okonkwo and lives for her daughter, Ezinma. Ekwefi lives for Ezinma, her only living child, her pride and joy. Okonkwo and Ekwefi treat Ezinma like she is their equal rather than their child. They permit her privileges that other family and tribal children are not granted. Okonkwo's only regret towards Ezinma is that she is not a boy. Nwoye's mother, Okonkwo’s first wife, is wise to the ways of the tribe. While she knows that her sons will never be able to display such emotions, she tells her children wonderful stories that describe feelings like pity and forgiveness. She attempts to keep peace in the family by lying at times to Okonkwo to help the other wives avoid punishment. She tries to adhere to sacred tribal customs. She shows compassion at the message that Ikemefuna is to return to his family. In her own way, Nwoye's mother displays the courage of a tribesman. And that is quite an exception. Otherwise, "Things Fall Apart" portrays Igbo women as having a relatively low status in society, with little power or agency. While it is true that Igbo society was patriarchal, women played important roles in the community, such as running markets and serving as priestesses in religious ceremonies. Even women as stereotype weak and poor is hardly real in Igbo society.  

The Portrayal of Religion: The novel portrays Igbo religion as primitive and superstitious, with a focus on ancestor worship and belief in spirits. While these beliefs were certainly a part of Igbo religion, it was also a sophisticated system of beliefs that incorporated ideas about the nature of the universe and the role of human beings in it.

The Impact of Colonialism: While "Things Fall Apart" ends with the arrival of European colonizers, it does not fully explore the impact that colonialism had on Igbo society. As the story goes we find that after the arrival of the British, when conflicts came up between villages the white government would intervene instead of allowing villagers to settle them themselves. The messengers and interpreters were often African Christian converts who looked down on tribesmen who still followed traditional customs. The introduction of Christianity and the deterioration of traditional social structures were just two examples of how colonialism's true historical impact resulted in significant changes in Igbo culture and society.

Conclusion

Overall, "Things Fall Apart" is a valuable window into Igbo culture, but it should be regarded as fiction rather than a complete account of historical events. Even though the novel only in part examines Igbo women's roles in tribal society, these women were frequently subjected to patriarchal discrimination or social exclusion in tribal societies. Achebe made a hint about how Christians were brought to Umuofia to convert the Ibo. Should anyone try to influence someone else's religious convictions? Achebe has not, however, voiced an opinion from his perspective. Additionally, he hasn't created a logical case to make in a debate. Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" can support the artistic presentation of the Igbo tribes. In order to understand the Igbo reality, we must study fact and history.

Ardhendu De 

References: 

1. Akers Rhoads, Diana. “Culture in Chinua Achebe’s things fall apart.” African Studies Review 36/2 (1993): 61-72. Web. 4 Jan. 2013.

2. Okpala, J. C. (2002). Igbo Metaphysics in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.” Callaloo, 25(2), 559–566. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3300586

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