Things Fall Apart, Chapters Four and Five

Rituals and Traditions of the Ibo

Rituals and traditions are practiced by almost all known human societies in some form. Rituals can take many forms from religious ceremonies to simple gestures like a hand-shake. Many of the rituals and traditions of American society coincide with holidays that are celebrated on a yearly basis. As you might expect, not all societies of the world practice the same traditions. Among other characteristics, this is what sets the Ibo apart from the other tribes in Things Fall Apart. What rituals and traditions do the Ibo adhere to? In this interactivity, use the previous and next buttons or click each section of the diagram to explore the traditions of the Ibo. Click the player button to get started.

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Analysis

Chinua Achebe continues to flavor the novel with proverbs and figurative language. All three proverbs used in Chapter Four deal with Okonkwo’s success and abuse thereof. As he ridicules an untitled man who speaks up at a village meeting, one of the elders points out that Okonkwo often seems to forget where he came from, acting as though he never had to work for anything in his life when in fact, he has had to work for everything. Although kings, palm kernels, benevolent spirits, and a Chi are not relevant in American culture, through the context of the novel, Achebe establishes how proverbs about them are relevant to not only Okonkwo but to anyone in his same position.

In these chapters, you are able to witness that the Ibo are a subculture within Africa and that not all African tribes are the same. The Ibo’s religious values emphasize that they are a peaceful tribe made up of people who are fearful of their gods. The Ibo are also very obligated to their community. You learn that the Ibo have a belief in a Chi, or a personal god. You also learn that “wife-beating” is openly accepted by Ibo society. Okonkwo frequently beats his wives. All of these characteristics of a culture are very different from what the British settlers are used to seeing.

 

Rituals and Traditions Review

Now that you have learned about the rituals and traditions of the Ibo culture, test your knowledge. In this non-graded interactivity, read each question, then select the appropriate answer and click SUBMIT. Click the player button to get started.