Things Fall Apart Background
Transcript: - Marriages were discussed in depth as they brought families & entire villages together - Most husbands practiced polygamy - Igbo women lived in separate houses, cooked for themselves, and raised their own children - Unhappy women could leave a marriage - Ministry Focus: Christian education, evangelism and discipleship, and leadership development. - 12% of people on mission settlements were actually there for religious reasons. Many people just wanted material resources or their own satisfaction that they were doing the "right" thing. - Missions were successful when they focused on helping Nigerians agriculturally rather than spiritually. Things Fall Apart- Chinua Achebe Tribal Life: Full name- Albert Chinuanlumogu Achebe Born in Ogidi, Nigeria in 1930 Learned English at the University of Ibadan Released Things Fall Apart in 1958 Became an English Professor In 1990's he was paralyzed in a car wreck from the waist down. Taught at Bard College, Brown University, and David & Marianna Fisher University Died on March 21, 2013 -Lack of centralized political structures -Lived in autonomous villages & towns, ruled by their elders -Organized in patrilineages -Democracy was obtained through a council of elders, age groups, councils of chiefs, women’s associations, and secret societies Nigeria: Agriculture - The south states, such as Ibo, grow Cassava, yams, and plaintains. The cash crops are palm oil, coccoa, and rubber. - Nigeria had problems uniting as a single state - North and the South regions had very different cultures, religions, and histories which created many problems. - Britain managed to rule Nigeria for 46 years before Nigerians gained independence in 1960. - Nigeria experienced much growth due to Britain: roads and railroads built, telegraph and postal system, and many exports of cash crops. - Britain did not benefit the Nigerian people by: heavily taxing the people, and showing a disrespect for their local customs. Marriage Customs: Nigeria: Geography -800 B.C.- Jos Plateau settled by the Nok people an iron age civilization -1472 A.D.- Portugese navigators reach Nigeria -16th-18th centuries- slave trade: millions of Nigerians shipped to the Americas -1850s- British establishes presence around Lagos - 1861-1914 - Britain consolidates its hold over what it calls the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, governs by "indirect rule" through local leaders. -Today: Nigeria's military fights Islamist militants Boku Haram Missionary Involvement in Africa: - Atlantic coast of central Africa bordered by Niger, Chad, Benin, and Cameroon - Wide range of climate variations and varieties of vegetation - Dry plains in the north -Savannah in the central hills and Plateux -Tropical Rainforests in south lowlands - Mountains to the southeast Igbo Religion: British Colonialism and Nigeria: 1900-1960 - Missionaries were the first Europeans to make their way into Africa. - Chukwu (the supreme being) is everywhere at the same time--therefore there are no shrines or altars for worship - Ekwensu=trickster god who caused problems - The ikenga = a wooden carving that symbolizes a man’s strength & success--a priest invokes a spirit into it & the men consult it for advice - Chi = a person’s personal god…follows you throughout life and can be either malevolent or benevolent…but chi does not control destiny - Savannah is suitable for growing sorghum, millet, maize, groundnuts, cotton Nigeria History: