Things Fall ApartAn introduction

Chinua Achebe (pronounced Chin-ew-ah A-chay-bay) born in Eastern Nigeria, West Africa, in

1930. father Isiah converted willingly to

Christianity in his youth and became church teacher in Ibo village of Ogidi

raised by uncle Udo; retained Ibo religious beliefs (tolerated new Christian religion)

Wrote Things Fall Apart to show that Africans had a political system and means of communication

A voice for Africa

Chinua Achebe Interview

Educated atUniversity of Ibadan, Nigeria Worked inNigeria for many years Traveled to U.S. universities to lecture before returning toNigeria to teach

Starting in the 1970s,

Achebe joined universities

in Nigeria, Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island.

He died on March 21,

2013 at age 82.

Nig

eria

Nigerian Fact Sheet

Today: 1 US Dollar = 158.96218

Nigerian Naira

Full name: The Federal Republic of Nigeria

Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products, cocoa, rubber

Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs

Life expectancy: 52 years (men), 53 years (women)

Islamist Group Boko Haram

Setting for Things Fall ApartNigeria, 1890Village: Iguedo, part of

Umuofia (consists of 9 villages)

Clash of cultures: Tribal culture of Igbo (also Ibo)Tribal with British

Proverbsa short, traditional saying that

expresses some obvious truth or familiar experience

Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.

Indigenous African (Ibo) values:StorytellingPolytheistic; nature-based; lots of

ceremoniesPolygamist familiesHunter/GatherersEmphasis on music and dance

Igbo CosmologySky Gods (Heavenly Beings):

Chi-Ukwu:Big-God, Supreme God (same as Creator God) Chi-neke:Creator God (created all things; same as Supreme God). Anyanwu:God of Light (Model of Perfection)Agbala:Perfect and Holy Spirit (embodiment of all holy beings in one); Giver of insight and wisdomEke:God/Governor of the eastern sky (Heaven); patron of Eke Markets and daysOye:God/Governor of the western sky (Heaven); patron of Oye Markets and daysAfo:God/Governor of the northern sky (Heaven); patron of Afo Markets and daysNkwo:God/Governor of the southern sky (Heaven); patron of Nkwo Markets and daysNri Menri:Council of all ascended Eze Nri (Nri kings)

Eze Nri:Nri King, also called Igwe (Heavenly One. Ambassador of God on earth)

Earthly Gods (Deities) Aja-Ana:Earth Goddess/Governess (Deliverer of Perfect Justice. The Seeker of Peace and Harmony)Ikenga:God of Strength. Appealed to for strengthAgwu:God of Human Psychology (Regulator of Human Psychology). Appealed to for individual focusIfiejioku:God of Yam or Agriculture. Regulates AgricultureAro:God of Years. God of Time. God of All SeasonsChi: God in a person (human beings are seen as Gods as well)