Things Fall Apart

1. Things Fall Apart By: Chinua Achebe

2. African Culture • There are many different people groups and tribes across the continent of Africa - with their culture varying from tribe to tribe. • Things Fall Apart is written about the “Ibo” or Igbo tribe specifically.

3. Chinua Achebe

4. Chinua Achebe’s Life • Chinua Achebe was born on 16th November, 1930 in Igbo, village of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria. Achebe was raised by his Protestant parents. • Chinua Achebe is famous for his exceptional novel Things Fall Apartpublished in 1958. This book is a staple book in the schools throughout Africa and is studied in almost all English speaking countries round the globe.

5. Chinua Achebe's novels mainly focused on tradition of the Igbo society, the Christian influence and its effect. Achebe's style depends on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines narration with representations of proverbs and folk stories. Achebe had written a number of children's books, short stories, and essay collections. Chinua Achebe is currently the Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.

6. Ibo Tribal Dress • The Ibos live in Iboland. It comes as no surprise that the stifling heat of central Africa would dictate the type of clothing worn by any native peoples. The Ibos wear little or nothing until they reach puberty. At this time, the men usually wear loose-fitting cotton shirts and a loincloth, while the women wrap different pieces of cloth around themselves and also wrap some cloth around their head. The men often carry machetes, useful for clearing overgrown paths and offering protection from wild animals.

7. Ibo Language • The language of the Ibos is very interesting. It is derived from a group of languages commonly found in West Africa, the Kwa languages. It is based a lot on pitch, vocal inflections, and context when defining the meaning of a word. A single word can have numerous meanings depending on these factors. Idioms and proverbs play an important role in the Ibo language. Someone who does not use them in speech is considered a novice at speaking the language.

8. At A Village Well

9. Daily Life of the Ibo Ibos live in villages that have anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand people comprised of numerous extended families. A very interesting thing about these villages is that there is no single ruler or king that controls the population. Decisions are made by including almost everyone in the village. There are established institutions such as a council of elders (a group based on age), a council of chiefs, women’s associations, and secret societies. The Ibos simultaneously emphasize individual actions and community living.

10. A Village Hut

11. A Mud- walled Compound

12. Ibo Religious Belief • The Ibos are profoundly religious. These polytheistic people worship many gods. They believe that there are three levels of divine beings: the highest level is the supreme god, or “Chukwu.” Underneath Chukwu are lesser gods, called “Umuagbara”, and under these are the “Ndi Ichie,” the spirits of dead people.

13. The Ibos also believe in reincarnation. They see death as a transient phase between life and the spirit world. When someone dies, he or she starts a new life in the spirit world. After a time in the spirit world, a dead person would be reborn as a new person and the cycle would continue on. Each village has priests and priestesses who help in all spiritual matters, conducting ceremonies and rituals. And since the Ibos believe that everything in life is controlled by higher powers, there are also diviners in a village that attempt to predict the future.

14. The Kola Nut • In Things Fall Apart by Achibe, the kola nut had special significance in Nigeria. It was used as a gesture of peace, friendship and hospitality. It was offered to guests when they entered a house. The use of kola nuts symbolized everything that was civilized and peaceful in their world. (This was in sharp comparison to the white men's ways later in the novel.) It can be compared to the traditional Indian peace pipe or the religious idea of breaking bread.

15. Kola Nut The Kola Nut supplies a mild stimulant effect like that of caffeine.

16. Important Characters • Okonkwo – the protagonist of TFA, he is a prosperous farmer and a leader of his village. • Unoka – is Okonkwo’s father; he is lazy and fun loving. • Ikemefuna – a 15 year-old-boy that is given to Okonkwo’s village as a hostage • Ekewfi – Ezinma’s mother, she is Okonkwo’s second wife

17. Ezinma – Okonkwo’s favorite child; he wishes she were a boy. • Nwoye – Okonkwo’s oldest son, but his least favorite • Obierika – Okonkwo’s closest friend • Uchendu – an elder of Mbanta, Okokwo’s uncle

18. Sources http://edsitement.neh.gov/sites/default/files/images/content/Igbo%20People%20Things%20Fall%20Apart.jpg http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/k/kolanu10.html From http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~contests/timelines/geographies/1850_kola_nut.html] http://www.rps.psu.edu/0205/keepers.html wmich.edu