The Ibo Way Of Life :: essays research papers

Things Fall Apart, a novel by African native Chinua Achebe, introduces an unusual culture to the reader. He sh atomic number 18s a strange crude way of life not customary to popular beliefs. Through a detailed description of the Ibo culture such as role, political ideologies and odd rituals, Achebe shows humanity in a different perspective.Ibo culture is a alone male dominated tribe. By being a successful warrior and farmer, men gain respect and high titles. Unfortunately, women do not have those opportunities and be considered more as property than human beings. In the first chapter, we pit Okonkwo, a highly respected leader. He has three wives who sh be further him as a husband. When a woman is old enough to marry, her family must approve the suitor, and then she is purchased with cowries and other livestock. The womans duties after sum is to stay at home to cook, clean and raise the children. As seen by roles each play in this tribe, it is obvious that the Ibos politic al ideologies are purely masculine and violently led. Villages will sacrifice other members of their crossroads when a debt is owed, not knowing what is to become of them. In Ikemefumas case, he is sacrificed to the Umuofia tribe and is to live there for three years. When his three years are through with, he is violently murdered as ordered by the village elders. The boy stayed in Okonkwos Obi and learned to vocal him father. Okonkwo still took part in his violent murder. Other punishments of the tribe are hanging and banishment.One of the most unique things about the Ibo cultures id their superstitions. It is believed that if a woman has two or more miscarriages that her children all share the same spirit. To follow this child from dying, they must find this childs rock or mutilate the childs body. Another superstition deals with the cola nut nut. The kola nut was broken and eaten every meal and was said to bring trustworthy life to people.