Religion In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Change is a reoccurring theme throughout history. It destroys and creates. It displaces and introduces. It can cause death and life. The movement of imperialism in Africa brought great change to the native tribal life. Forcing the indigenous people to turn away from their century-old traditions caused violent rifts between the European settlers and the tribes, as well as internal problems between once amiable members of the Ibo culture. With the introduction of the foreign Western Society in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the tribe’s life and ideals are drastically altered as the new ethics and principles collide with the old traditions and laws, causing the members of the society to either adapt or be crushed underneath the foot of colonialism. Achebe’s character, Okonkwo, was impacted immensely by the cultural collision, as his previous way of life was pulverized before his eyes, and he found no reason to live any longer.

The concepts of order, hierarchy, and religion are the most important components of the Igbo society. These concepts are so profoundly entrenched in society that their alteration could result in chaos. The introduction of a new religion as a result of Westernization serves as a catalyst for destructive cultural change, which ultimately results in contrasting cultural traditions that compromise existing core values. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe describes the impact Christianity has on the Igbo society, that causes the modification of its native traditions.

A major aspect of one’s society is religion. Without it, the way people hold themselves accountable would be nonexistent. In addition, many moral standards that exist today are values taken directly from religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Currently, there exists a feud between people who believe in a god, and of those who do not. Eventually those who believe in a higher power will fight against each other. In “Things Fall Apart”, Chinua Achebe brings to light the differences and similarities of Christianity and Animism in order to demonstrate the effects of religion upon one’s society, which is exemplified by Okonkwo and his people. This is noticed in the lives of the Ibo, the missionaries, and

   The burden and calling to reach out and help others, enfold many people in society throughout the world. Rich or poor, young or old, black, red or white, the motive is helping those with a need. As Chinua Achebe points out in his book, Things Fall Apart, though there is the aspiration to lend a hand, it can sometimes become deadly, and even fatal to the lives of people. Although the missionaries try help convert the Ibo village of Umuofia to Christianity, their presence in Africa is harmful to the lives and culture of the Ibo.

Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a strong man whose existence is dominated by fear and anger, and the Ibo tribe, a people deeply rooted in cultural belief and tradition. As events unfold, Okonkwo’s carefully constructed world and the Ibo way of life collapses. The story of Okonkwo’s fall from a respected and feared leader of the Ibo tribe to an outcast who dies in disgrace dramatizes his inability to evolve beyond his personal beliefs, affecting the entire Ibo tribe beyond measure. The “things” that fall apart in Achebe’s novel are Okonkwo’s life – his ambition, dreams, family unity and material wealth – and the Ibo way of life – their beliefs, culture and values.

Not only do the Igbo worship gods such as Chukwu with the morning prayer (Arinze and Kaulu 4366), but they also worship their ancestors. Because of their belief in life after death, they create special shrines for their ancestors (Okeke et al. 3) and create statues to represent them (Arinze and Kaulu 4366). One other key form of worship is through sacraments such as the kola nut and palm wine, which “reveal Igbo thoughts about the universe, creation, and the divine” (Njoku and Uzukwu 3-4). For example, as a form of worship, the Igbo pour out drops of palm wine as a way of honoring one’s ancestors (Arinze and Kaulu

Different countries have people that hold many different views and beliefs. In Nigeria the Igbo area is located in the southern area of the country. And within this area is Umuofia, which is where the Ogidi tribe lives. These people have beliefs that rest strongly on religion and faith in god. "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe takes a look at the life of an African tribe that has been isolated from the outer more technologically advanced world where science has become a part of religion proving that certain things live sickness are not caused by evil spirits. But the African tribe has no knowledge of this and they live in a society where there traditions, beliefs and there forms of communication differ from are own.

In Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, the beliefs of an afterlife and spirit world were strong factors in the daily events of an Ibo person’s life. These beliefs controlled their actions and thoughts all the time. The Ibo believed in not only personal spirits, but also in a supreme deity, the Creator of the world and the Ibo, as well as the minor gods and entities of the spirit world. To the Ibo, it was customary for one to approach a great and powerful man through his servants. Sacrifices were made to the minor gods and spirits, but when these fail to bring about the desired result, the Ibo went to the Supreme Deity for final intervention.

In the novel “Things Fall Apart”, by Chinua Achebe, one of the main aspects of the Ibo community was religion, before the pre-colonization of Nigeria. After the White Man known as the British took over, it caused many people of the Ibo community to betray their religious beliefs, causing people to change to their religion, Christianity that is more acceptable in many aspects.

Religion is the most sacred thing to a human. It’s the belief and worship of a superhuman controlling power. The soul of a human being is drawn to a religion that speaks to the mind. The novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, includes worshipers of the ancient religion of the Igbo. All the civilians in the tribe believe in one supreme god as well as some minor gods. The Igbo people also worship spirits and ancestors, for which some are responsible for the fortune or misfortune of their everyday lives. The Igbo attitude toward their deities and spirits is not one of fear but of friendship. In the novel, Chinua Achebe shows the Igbo beliefs in gods, rituals of spirits and ancestors, and connecting families and communities by worshiping.

In the novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, religion, an indispensable tradition is celebrated within the Igbo people. The Igbo people, hosts gatherings, worship, and celebrate their ancestors. They are polytheistic, in other words, they believe in many gods. The Igbo people also believe in sacrifices to their ancestors and crimes are considered as sins. Their ancestors and gods serve as a role model, or a sculpture, to whom they worship and sacrifice in Igbo society. However, the arrival of the European Missionaries not only brings tremendous changes to Igbo religion and culture, but also creates conflicts among them.

In a society, religion is supposed to unite people that share a common belief and create peace, but in Umuofia and the other villages in Nigeria, it tears everyone and everything apart. In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the Igbo religion was dominant in Umuofia prior to the Christian missionaries arrival. Everyone followed its teachings, despite how they made them feel. The villagers did what the religious figure (the Oracle) told them to, even if that meant killing someone that they loved. As a result of this, some relationships between people were changed. Despite some of the harsh teachings from the Igbo religion, society was united with a universal belief system. However, the day that the first Christian missionary arrived, this would forever be changed. Not only did the new religion transform relationships between people as well as change people individually (just like the Igbo religion did in some cases), but it also brought destruction to Umuofia and its neighboring villages. In Things Fall Apart, Achebe argues that religion has the power to destruct and change relationships, convince people to convert, and to break apart a society.

In his novel Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe introduces his readers to the Nigerian village Umuofia and its culture through the protagonist, Okonkwo, a well respected Umuofian leader. Umuofian culture is centered around pleasing and respecting spiritual life. Everything within this culture and religion has a specific order; however, the Umuofian culture ultimately reaches its demise when Evangelists arrive to convert the Umuofians to Christianity. As seen through the events that transpire in this novel, from Nwoye leaving his family to letting the osu have a place in society, religion has the potential to both build and break a society. Specifically, religion has the power to break apart families, introduce new ideas into society, and bring hope into one’s life.

Religion provides people mental peace and acceptance among society. In the book things fall apart written by Chinua Achebe the Igbo Religion brings people together physically to an event or ceremony. Many religions come together to worship different gods which give people a common interest. Religion brings people together mentally by providing a sense of belonging. Everyone is different especially among the Igbo people who have people of different titles but by having religion it provides them something in common. Belonging is a human need we want to feel accepted and wanted among a community. Last religion brings people together because it stops conflict among many people. By preventing conflict it keeps communities united together. Overall religion brings people together as a community.

In the time that the novel took place, Nigeria had a religion in each of the villages. In Things Fall Apart, there was a Oracle of the Hills and Caves called Agbala. People from all around would go to Agbala to discover what their future was, and to consult with the spirits of their departed fathers. The priestess Chielo talked to the Oracle and asked it for guidance. Chielo told the villages the will of Agbala ,and she would take part in religious ceremonies. Agbala was the chief god of Umuofia but in other parts of Nigeria, the villages would have a different chief god.