Truth About Abame

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a fiction, however, there are many stories and themes used in the book that reflect factual and historical events. The greatest and most interesting of these connections and references with actual events is Achebe’s fictional massacre of Abame and the real life incident of Ahiara.

The two events have striking similarities, and both revolve around the massacre and death of native Africans in the hands of angry colonists seeking vengeance. On November 16^th, 1905, a British man, known as J.F. Stewart, riding his bicycle arrived in Ahiara was killed by the native warriors. The British man’s bike and skin colour was something the natives had never seen before, and killed him in fear and confusion of who and what he was. This incident sparked an investigation and search from British forces, who killed many natives in reprisal of Stewart’s death. Both the natives and British explorers were unfamiliar with each other’s culture and eventually; the British initiated the Bende-Onitsha Hinterland Expedition organized and established to eliminate all Igbo villages. The Bende-Onitsha Hinterland Expedition wiped out many African villages, and as they swept across the country of Nigeria, the British established themselves as the rulers, and enforced unfair and selfish laws to control the natives. For example, they ‘punished entire villages and communities for crimes by even just one person against the colonists’. The participants of the Bende-Onitsha Hinterland Expedition slaughtered and destroyed an Igbo people or villages, and even killed the important Awka Oracle of the Igbo tribes.

The similarities between Achebe’s fictional version of Abame and the tragic story of Ahiara include the death of a white colonist on his bicycle, killed by the scared and baffled natives. Both stories include the murder and death of many natives, and the destruction of the Igbo villages. In both accounts, the natives kill the ‘mysterious white man’ because they are shocked, scared, and unsure of how to react or why and who he was, and simply decide to kill the man as an act of caution, warning, and fear.

Truth about Abame

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is based on many actual events in the Igbo community during the arrival of the British in Africa. For one, the destruction of the village named Abame, which is mentioned in chapter 15, is based on the story of Ahiara. In the book, Obierika tells Okonkwo that a white man had rode an iron horse (a bicycle) into Abame. Because the Oracle told them that a strange man would break their clan and spread destruction among them, the villagers killed him. Obierika said that they were afraid that the iron horse would run away so they tied it to a tree. Then white men, angered by the death of the man on the iron horse, destroyed the town of Abame during the busiest time, the market week.
Ahiara was also a town in the Igbo tribe. What happened was that  on November 16, 1905, a white man named JF Stewart rode his bicycle into Ahiara and was killed by the natives. As a result of this, an expedition of British forces searched the villages near Ahiara and killed many natives. 

Because the research does not provide many details, it is not for certain that the Igbo men tied JF Stewart's bicycle to a tree or that the British forces shot people down in a market. What is for sure is that the Igbo people, not knowing who the white man was, did what they did to defend themselves and that there were British forces that killed an entire town. Certain details might have been what Chinua Achebe added to the story himself. I feel that the use of actual events in the book makes the fictional story real. 

Arrival to Umoufia

We have finally arrived in Umoufia, but even days into our arrival in these mysterious and uncharted lands, we have already come to a firm conclusion; these lands are filled with barbaric and savage beliefs. The religious rituals and beliefs of these native clans are beyond abysmal, and it has become clear that we must go a long way to correct and rectify their wrong beliefs.

On the first day of our time in Umoufia, we were struck with the absurdity and preposterousness of their religious rituals and beliefs. Our group of missionaries was strolling through the village, and we witnessed the native methods of funerals and burial methods. We discovered that there were several religious methods of burial, some more disturbing than others, but we found all of them to be alien and bizarre. We saw the most prestigious of the Umoufian burials, with the deceased given a proper and traditional ceremony, which included dances, singing, and offerings to their gods. I have begun to think that the Umoufians celebrate the death of their loved ones rather than mourn of their loss. My fellow missionaries were repelled at their belief that the dead join the spirits of their ancestors, when is it a fact that the dead either go to heaven or hell, and not to their ancestors. However, we intend to correct and set their beliefs right during our time here.

The worst of all these early discoveries of their religious practices and traditional beliefs is their inhumane, ruthless and savage treatment to twins and mortality among infants. Less than two days into our arrival of this native land, we have seen the worst of their cruel and barbaric ways. We watched helplessly as twin infants were thrust into earthenware pots by their own parents, and tossed into what they believe as the ‘Evil Forest’ and left to die. Several of my fellow missionaries screamed with despair and began to cry as we watched the villagers throw away their children as part of their religious beliefs. It gets worse. As we continued our initial tour and exploration of the village, we were speechless, horrified and outraged as a ‘medicine man’ brought out a sharp razor from his satchel and began to mutilate a dead child. He the dragged the corpse on the dirt ground by its ankle and buried it in the ‘Evil Forest’. I have travelled the world, and seen and experienced many things, but I have never seen vicious and merciless acts of such gravity. How could they treat God’s children and creation with such violence and ruthlessness? After that day, I couldn't help but begin to ponder whether this appalling society is beyond cure.

We have only been in Umoufia for less than a week, but I have already seen enough to eternally scar my memories. However, seeing these absurd religious rituals of the natives has kindled a new fire and desire to help and correct them.

Christian Missionary

Fiction piece based on the village in the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 

I am writing by the light of my candle for it is not yet morning. I was woken up by the cries of a lunatic woman who, as the villagers tell me, lives in a cave. It has been a fortnight since my fellow missionary Thomas and I have arrived in this village of Umuofia in Western Africa. Upon coming to this wretched place, I have learned that it is a place devoid of any sensible culture, let alone religion. What I have seen these past few days has been horrifying and nerve-wracking. I’d rather not think about it but it is my duty to record my findings as I journey into the task of bringing God into these people’s meaningless life. 

Another strange habit we find here is that the people of this land seem to worship the spirits of their ancestors. When we just arrived to this village from England, the people did not notice us at first. They were all concentrated on this event that I am told is an “Egwugwu”. At first it seemed like a dance or some other form of entertainment, but with closer attention I found that it was a trial. It was awfully strange. There were men dressed up as what I thought were monsters but, again the villagers have informed me, were actually ancestral spirits. They were judging the crimes of a man. This legal system surprised me. How could justice lay in the hands of these “ancestral spirits”?

When the village leaders finally noticed us, they provided missionary Thomas and I a place to live in. We tried to explain right away what our great purpose was, but communication was not easy. So therefore I decided to find out about their culture before introducing them to the gospel. From what I have learned so far, there seems to be a lack of culture in this place. I see no spirituality. I feel it even more necessary for our work to begin.

One of the leaders brought us to their home, which they call their Obi. There he introduced us to 4 women who I thought at first were his sisters. But with further gesturing, he explained that they were his wives. Here it is again, the need for this place to be cleansed of its unnatural traditions. After receiving the word of God, polygamy will no longer exist and these people will thank us.

The woman in the cave I mentioned at the head of this entry, from what the men of this place tell me, is the Priestess of an Oracle, Agbala, and that Agbala’s spirit, through the Priestess, prophesizes the future and gives advice to the people. The people fear her because of the power they think she possesses. I must say that they fear the wrong thing. I fear her myself but for reasons of my safety, but will have to eventually because she will be the first who we will give the gift of God’s word to.

Ikemefuna, Dutiful Son and Admired Brother, Dies at 18

Ikemefuna, Dutiful Son and Admired Brother, Dies at 18

Ikemefuna, who was the son of the greatest wrestler in Unmuofia history, and an admired brother of Nwoye, died under tragic circumstances last week. Ikemefuna was killed under orders from the Oracle of the Hills and Caves, but even at 18 years old, Ikemefuna had lived a dynamic, and eventful life.

Three years ago, when Ikemefuna was merely a teenager, his life took a significant turn. Ikemefuna, along with several young virgin girls were unwillingly sent from Mbanio to Umoufia as compensation for his father’s murder of the wife of Ogbuefi Udo. While some may say that Ikemefuna was robbed of his childhood and from his family, others would argue that his arrival to Umoufia was the best change of his life. He was adopted into Okonkuo’s family, and was taken great care of by Okonkuo’s first wife. Despite being detached from his family at such a young age, Ikemefuna adapted well to his new environment and home. For three years, Ikemefuna lived with the warmth, love and guidance from the Okonkuo household, and began to foster healthy and close relationships with those around him. Ikemefuna always offered a helping hand for those around him, and emanated warmth, benevolence and energy wherever he went. Of the few that were blessed with truly knowing Ikemefuna, was his brother Nwoye. Ikemefuna was a role model and inspiration to his brother. His father Okonkuo describes the change that Ikemefuna brought to his brother. “From the day he arrived in our household, Ikemefuna kindled a new fire in Nwoye. Whether we were harvesting or planting yam, or cooking and eating locusts in my obi , you could always a glimmer of admiration and respect in Nwoye’s eyes when he saw his brother.”

Okonkuo’s first wife, and Ikemefuna’s caring mother, couldn’t help but describe Ikemefuna’s acts of compassion. “Ikemefuna was selfless and considerate in everything that he did. I remember when Obiageli broke her pot during her visit to Umoufia for the wrestling competition, and broke into tears. Ikemefuna dropped everything he was doing, and rushed first to the scene with the biggest pot he could find for Obiageli. I also remember when I was on my way home carrying some heavy logs for a fire, and Ikemefuna saw me struggling as he was on the farm helping Okonkuo plant yam seeds. He had been working all day under the blistering sun, and was both tired and thirsty, yet he rushed over and helped me carry the logs home, before returning to the fields help his father. Ikemefuna never asked for rewards, fame, or recognition for his favors, and always wore a bright smile on his face. These small acts of kindness and selflessness are what I admire, respect and will remember most of Ikemefuna.”

Last week however, his brave and loving spirit and soul was lost to the decision of the Oracle. Several Umoufian warriors and elders executed their orders from the Oracle. Ikemefuna was told he would be going home to his sister and mother after being split for three years. As the elders escorted him to the village outskirts, Ikemefuna was hacked to death with machetes, with his father Okonkuo delivering the final blow.

Ikemefuna suffered a painful and tragic death. He was an innocent boy who was unlucky and paid a great price for his father’s mistakes. Ikemefuna lived his life to the fullest. He was a loyal son, and respected brother, and Umoufia and the Okonkuo household will not be the same without such a compassionate and kind soul. Ikemefuna leaves a significant legacy and his story has become a distinguished tale in Umoufian history. During his unfortunately short but meaningful life, Ikemefuna changed the lives of many others, and inspired the lucky few that knew him during his final years. His moving story and blazing spirit will live on in the hearts of the people of Umoufia for years to come.

Ikemefuna, the young boy from Mbaino, dies at 18.

FIctional obituary for a character in the book "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe.

It has been 5 days since The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves pronounced that Ikemefuna, a young boy living in our village of Umuofia, was to be killed. Ikemefuna has departed the Earth by the gods’ requests and also because of Ikemefuna’s arrival story that took place 3 years ago.

As everybody knows, young Ikemefuna was sent to our village of Umuofia as a compensation for his father’s murder of Ogbuefi Udo’s wife. After Ikemefuna came to our village, he lived in Okonkwo’s household. He was taken care of by Okonkwo’s first wife, the mother of Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye.

Nwoye and Ikemefuna were great friends and brothers. Ikemefuna was a good elder brother, acting as a role model for Nwoye. Nwoye shares with us his memories of Ikemefuna: “He was a good brother. I wanted to be like him. I remember when we ate Locusts together during the rainy season. I was so happy. I remember sitting with him in father’s obi, listening to father’s war stories.” When Ikemefuna came to our village, he had to leave his mother and younger sister. Nwoye tells us that Ikemefuna told him of that he missed his family. “He told me of his 6 year-old sister and of his dear mother. I understood that it was because of missing them that he was often depressed and sad. Although he missed his family back in Mbaino, he was very kind to our family. He inspired me to change my ways and to act like the man my father wants me to be.”

Okonkwo’s first wife, who took care of Ikemefuna, tells us of the boy’s effect on Okonkwo. “Okonkwo treated Ikemefuna like a son. Ikemefuna called Okonkwo his ‘father’. I saw that my husband was happy with the boy; he was what he wanted Nwoye to be like.”

Ikemefuna death was decided to take place during this market week. A few Umuofia men took him to the village outskirts. Okonkwo himself followed as well. The young boy was killed by the cuts of a machete. Okonkwo’s first wife remembers the day clearly. “Oh the poor boy! He was told that he was returning back to his home village. He had no idea that his life would end. That night, Okonkwo came home looking nervous. From his behavior, I could tell that he had taken part in killing Ikemefuna. But I know that he did not want to. My husband did not eat for days and could not sleep at night.”

Ikemefuna will forever be remembered in the hearts of the many Umuofia villagers who saw the lively spirit of the young boy.