TFA Background Info Notes '25

Chinua Achebe

  • Birth and Death:

    • Born: November 16, 1930 in Ogidi, Nigeria

    • Died: March 25, 2013 in Boston, MA

  • Notable Work:

    • Wrote "Things Fall Apart (TFA)" as a response to novels like Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" that depict Africa as cultureless.

    • Objective: To educate readers about African American culture and show his cultural values.

  • Other Novels:

    • "No Longer at Ease" (1940)

    • "Arrow of God" (1964)

Nigeria: Geography and History

  • Location:

    • Country situated in the Western Hemisphere of Africa.

    • Borders: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin.

    • Deserts, plains, savannas, mountains, tropical forests

  • Climate: Tropical climate.

  • Political Structure:

    • Current type of government: Federal Republic with a multi-party system.

    • Led by a President.

  • Historical Context:

    • Delta city-states became principal outlets of the slave trade (1800s)

    • Achieved independence in 1960.

Agriculture and Economy

  • Agriculture:

    • Constitutes 22% of the country's GDP and is a key income source.

    • Major crops: cocoa, maize, nuts, cassava, yams.

    • Palm oil and yams: Over 95% grown in Nigeria.

British Colonialism and Nigeria

  • Definition:

    • Colonialism is the policy where one country gains political control over another, primarily for economic exploitation and social gain.

  • Impact:

    • Approximately 60 years of British rule from 1900 to 1960.

    • Motivations summarized in three words: God, Glory, and Gold.

  • Consequences of Colonialism:

    1. Establishment of schools.

    2. Religious conversion to Christianity.

    3. Economic dependency on cash crops.

Missionary Involvement in Africa

  • Role of Missionaries:

    • Individuals sent abroad to spread religious beliefs and faith, primarily from the 19th century.

    • Taught reading and writing to help people understand the Bible and spread Christianity in Africa.

    • Established hospitals, schools, and introduced modern management systems.

Tribal Life in Nigeria

  • Pre-1500 Structure:

    • Divided into states, with three main ethnic groups: Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo.

  • Language and Culture:

    • The Igbo language is primarily spoken in Southern Nigeria by about 20-35 million people. A key element in maintaining oral traditions and customs.

  • Belief Systems:

    • Polytheism: Belief in multiple gods.

    • Igbo folklore is intertwined with religious practices.

Music and Masks in Igbo Culture

  • Musical Instruments:

    • Split Drum: Crafted by hollowing a tree trunk, used in ceremonies.

    • Integral for communication during masked performances to honor ancestors and teach lessons.

  • Masks:

    • Wearing masks embodies the spirit of the represented ancestor, forming a "community of souls."

Proverbs and Folktales in Igbo Culture

  • Folktales:

    • Types of stories passed orally that reflect culture (e.g., "Little Red Riding Hood").

  • Proverbs:

    • Phrases conveying truths or lessons. Role in defining Igbo culture:

      • "If a child washes his hands, he could eat with kings."

      • "When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes hungry for a walk."

      • "A man who pays respect to the great, paves the way for his own greatness."

    • Represents wisdom passed through generations.