Things Fall Apart characters

Okonkwo

The central character of Things Fall Apart. A young leader of the African Igbo community of Umuofia. He is known as a fierce warrior as well as a successful farmer. He is determined to overcome the stigma left by his father's laziness and wastefulness.

Unoka

Okonkwo's father, known for his weakness and lack of responsibility.

Nwoye

Okonkwo's oldest son, age twelve at the book's beginning. He is innately a sensitive young man.

Ikemefuna

A boy of fourteen who is given to Umuofia by a neighboring village to avoid war. He is a clever, resourceful young man.

Ekwefi

Okonkwo's second wife; the mother of Ezinma, her only living child.

Ezinma

Daughter of Ekwefi and Okonkwo; Ekwefi's only surviving child.

Ojiugo

Okonkwo's third wife; the mother of several of Okonkwo's children.

Obierika

Okonkwo's best friend, who often represents the voice of reason.

Chielo

A village widow who is also the priestess of Agbala.

Agbala

The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves, who influences all aspects of Umuofian life.

Mr. Brown

The first white Christian missionary in Umuofia and Mbanta. An understanding and accommodating man, he is inclined to listen to the Igbos.

Mr. Kiaga

The native interpreter for the missionaries. He is a teacher and a leader of the new church in Mbanta.

egwugwu

leaders of the clan who wear masks during certain rituals and speak on behalf of the spirits; the term can be either singular or plural.

Ibo

a member of a people of southeastern Nigeria; known for their art and their skills as traders. Today, the word is spelled Igbo (the g is not pronounced).

iyi-uwa

a special stone linking an ogbanje child and the spirit world; The ogbanje is protected as long as the stone is not discovered and destroyed.

Mbaino

neighboring community and Ikemefuna's original home

Mbanta

Okonkwo's motherland

ogbanje

a child possessed by an evil spirit that leaves the child's body upon death only to enter into the mother's womb to be reborn again within the next child's body

osu

a class of people in Igbo culture considered outcasts, not fit to associate with free-born members of the clan.

a week of peace

In Umofia, a sacred week in which violence is prohibited.

Reverend James Smith

the missionary who replaces Mr. Brown, uncompromising and strict and shows no respect for indigenous customs or culture.

Maduka

Obierika's son

Ogbuefi Ezeudu

Oldest man in Umuofia, tells news from the Oracle about Ikemefuna, suddenly dies, had three of the four titles, well respected, large funeral

Obuefi Ezuego

Powerful orator in Umuofia

Ogbuefi Udo

Wife is killed by Mbaino, receives a virgin from Mbaino as his new wife

ndichie

elders

Nwakibie

Wealthy man, gives Okonkwo 800 yam seeds

Iguedo

Okonkwo's specific village, one of the nine Umuofian villages

Okagbu Uyanwa

Medicine man who finds Ezinma's iyi uwa

Uchendu

Okonkwo's uncle who receives him into Mbanta

Abame

Village who kills the first white man they see, later destroyed by whites

Nneka

First woman convert of Mbanta who keeps bearing twins, not a big loss, the name is the most common and means "Mother is Supreme"

Okoli

Kills the sacred python, later dies mysteriously

Egonwanne

Speaks of peace, weak, Okonkwo believes he is the greatest obstacle to the clan

Enoch

Fanatical Christian convert, rips off the mask of an egwugwu, father is priest of the snake cult, Umuofia burns his house

Ogbuefi Ugonna

Respected man of Umuofia with two titles who joins Church