Things Fall Apart and Thiong’o

Igbo People

An ethnic group native to Nigeria, known for their unique language, culture, and traditions.

Berlin Conference

An 1884-85 meeting where European leaders negotiated the division of Africa among themselves, formalizing the colonization of the continent.

Scramble for Africa

The rapid invasion, colonization, and partitioning of Africa by European powers during the late 19th century.

Post-colonial Gaze

A term referring to the way that colonized societies are observed and defined through the perspectives and biases of the colonizers.

Imperial Gaze

A concept introduced by E. Ann Kaplan describing how power dynamics influence the observation and representation of colonized peoples by colonizers.

Orientalism

A term coined by Edward Said that describes the Western portrayal of Eastern societies, often as exotic or backward.

Proverb

A short, memorable saying that embodies a common truth or belief, often reflecting cultural values or wisdom.

Things Fall Apart

A novel by Chinua Achebe set in the Igbo culture, illustrating the impact of colonialism on African societies.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

A Kenyan writer who advocates for writing in native African languages and critiques the use of colonial languages in literature.

Umuofia

A fictional Igbo village in which Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart is set, representing traditional Igbo life and culture.