The Culture Of The Igbo Tribe

The way women and children are treated differed greatly across the world as time passed. In the Ibo Tribe, time caused major changes in the way the women and children were treated. At first, they suffered but soon they gained more rights and better treatment from the rest of the tribe due to influence from the rest of the world.

Before the arrival of European influence, villagers of Umuofia had a single option for a way of life. It was a place to be feared, dominated by war and violent practices. Ibo culture is centered on a patriarchal system based on hierarchy; the highest titles held by male egwugwu in the legal system and the osu at the bottom. The main character, Okonkwo, represents the ambition to strive for a higher position in society in order to gain status: “His life had been ruled by a great passion-to become one of the lords of the clan” (131). Another aspect in Ibo culture is the representation of women. They are undermined in order for men to achieve success; bride prices are used to able men to marry more than one wife and husbands are

In Igbo society men are allowed to beat their wives but in Western society that is frowned upon. Chinua Achebe wrote this book not to shame the Igbo society or to flaunt it, but to inform people about different ways of life in Nigeria. Gender roles are an extensive theme throughout the book. As soon as a child is born to Igbo society they are told that men and boys are exceptional and that women and girls are inferior. Each gender has certain rules and regulations to follow for their everyday lives.

Gender roles played a crucial part to the understanding of the people of Umuofia; especially to Okonkwo. But just as in today’s world, one person of a group cannot define the entire group, it was the same back then, which further proves how the District Commissioner’s view of Umuofia would not represent the entire clan, let alone Africa as a whole. Okonkwo’s motivation behind his views of patriarchy stem from his father Unoka; he wanted to be such a great man of the tribe, unlike his “agbala” of a father. Okonkwo’s son “[n]woye knew that it was right to be masculine and to be violent, but somehow he still preferred the stories that his mother used to tell, and which she no doubt still told to her younger children…but he now knew that they were for foolish women

Polygyny sets social role in the culture of the igbo people, which ranks are first inherited from father to son along with a farm. The festival in which the tribe celebrates the new coming of their primary food source and to praise the earth goddess which proves their peaceful bond with nature. Although others may include that the igbo tribe may be disruptive towards nature because of the sacrifices that are made as offerings to the earth goddess, Ani. And the fame for their unique and interesting culture around

Before investigating how Igbo culture was changed by the Europeans, the novel uses the Umuofia tribe to exemplify what the established Igbo

There was a time when Europe had fallen into a deep dilemma due to their debt. Africa was introduced to Europeans as Europe started to prevail through this tough time, known as the Long Depression. What started as a simple system of trade soon turned into utter exploitation of Africa and its vast resources. The news of what riches Africa possessed soon spread to all of Europe. This, in turn, resulted in what is known as the Scramble for Africa. During the Scramble for Africa, natives of Africa were traded as slaves to Europeans, natives had their homelands destroyed, and many natives were killed for resisting European colonialism. Through all

Missionaries have had a profound and resounding effect on southeastern Nigeria that remains today, missionaries still playing a significant role in the culture of the Igbo. Although missionaries were initially synonymous with colonization, European coloniasts enforcing Christian ideals on the ‘save’ natives in an effort to civilize them, missionaries remained in Nigeria even after it gained its independence on October 1, 1960 through a series of constitutions legislated by the British government. Despite the abolition of British colonial forces, missionaries remained, exerting extensive influence on local culture. Missionaries promoted western education, which was widely popular among the Igbo and viewed as a method to move up the social ladder.

Almost all cultures change over time. There are many different cultures, and even more ways that they can change. The Ibo culture changed a lot when the white men came. The men who came were Christians, and they were converting the Ibo people from their religion to Christianity. Achebe shows in the book Things Fall Apart the changes in the culture, but also the aspects of the Ibo culture that were lost.

How would you feel if you were forced to marry someone you had met a week before just because your parents told you to? Arranged marriages are one of the most important traditions within the culture of the Igbo tribe. Even though this tradition has been sustained within few ethnic groups around the world, society has been evolving and changing over time, which may lead one to believe it’s only a matter of time before everyone has succumbed to the more modern lifestyle. The view that certain tribes have on marriage and how it has changed in certain places over time can be seen within the short story, “Marriage is a Private Affair.”

People around the world have been taught for many years that men should be strong, big, superior to women, and show no emotion to be considered a man, but over the years this has changed. Now in day men and women are considered equal, but there's a tribe in Africa where these rules don't apply, this tribe is called the Igbo tribe. In the Igbo culture men have roles that women are not allowed to do and these duties define them as a man; for example, in the book "Things Fall Apart", the main character Okonkwo portrays the perfect example of what a men should do and how to act, the importance of how a man should provide for his household, and the importance of leadership as a man in the Igbo culture.

Many themes of traditional Igbo life and culture have played a major part in the development of the book.it is greatly expressed How gender roles factor into the Igbo life and are very important, especially the roles of women. In the Igbo society the women is seen to be weaker than the Men however, they play very important part in the running and growth of the community. Prior to colonializing Igbo women have very little power or voice in decisions, however there is a sudden change is the role of women. Women’s job as providers of the home is still important however they play a larger role in the production and selling of the crops they produce. We even made aware of the women’s roles when were are introduced to Okonkwo and the treatment of his wives. Igbo women’s importance stems from their ability giving birth, maintaining the family and house and being a good candidate for marriage.

The Igbo people are a tribe that basis much of their beliefs around folklore. This folklore is a key part of their daily lives and their religion. These stories passed from generation to generation teach valuable lessons to the children of the tribe and prepare them for adult life. The following examples are some of the most important beliefs and the stories that accompany them.

A tribe is “a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect, typically having a recognized leader.” There have been thousands of tribes throughout history, some older than others. The Igbo tribe, located in Nigeria, date back to the fourteenth century. It has been thriving for thousands of years, still continues to prosper today.

The only thing he (Okonkwo) fears most is not ending up like his father, Unoka. However, Achebe ‘‘makes an insightful comment on the nature of masculinity through his representation of the tribal leaders. Achebe basically, was conducive in creating four alter egos of Okonkwo: one of which were the masculinity; next of his fatherly abilities; and the last of his family progress and four of his likelihood of success’’ (Achebe.179). My paper will explain how Okonkwo’s Masculinity from Achebe’s Things Fall Apart will be characterized by his fears, beliefs, and emotions for several reasons.