The traditions of the Igbo people served as the basis of their community and provided guidance for all types of occasions. They had been developed for generations, and the inhabitants of the place had never attempted to challenge them. The rules were strictly followed until the European missionaries arrived in the village (Achiebe, 1994). This event allows consider this period as a turning point in the development of the tribe and its practices, most of which were religious. Therefore, the way of life of indigenous peoples changed in many aspects with the intrusion of Europeans, and the novel “Things Fall Apart,” written by Chinua Achebe, is one of the sources reflecting their experience.
The settlement’s people were characterized by respect for their customs, and their existence defined the directions for the progress of the tribe. Before the European invasion of Africa, they built their notions of honor upon courage and cooperation for ensuring the prosperity of the clansmen from different villages (Achiebe, 1994). Their perceptions in this regard were quite rigid, and the conduct opposite to following these concepts was despised by the dwellers (Achiebe, 1994). In turn, the norms of the community were underpinned by their strong spiritual beliefs, and the orders of oracles could not be neglected. Even though they frequently contradicted common logic and people’s feelings, the practices were unchanged until the intervention of Europeans.
The shift in the worldview of the Igbo people started with the introduction of the missionaries’ religious views. Their arrival to Mbanta was aimed at telling the tribe about Christianity and its morality to replace the barbaric acts of these inhabitants of the continent (Achiebe, 1994). The claim of local dwellers’ misconception regarding the existence of numerous Gods was not accepted easily but significantly affected their mindset and brought confusion. Thus, for example, the actions of the new convert, Enoch, who unmasked an egwugwu during the ceremony, led to the conflict between the Christians and the Igbo people (Acheibe, 1994). The latter’s decision to burn the church reflects their attitudes towards the introduced knowledge (Achiebe, 1994). In this way, the shift was triggered by the influence on the spiritual practices of the villagers.
Even though the religious aspect was dominant, the effects of the attempts of the European missionaries to convert the tribe members led to more severe consequences than conflicts based on their varying beliefs. Since spirituality played a key role in the foundation of the Igbo community, the attempts to undermine it explained the lack of understanding of the people how to live. The absence of guidance previously provided by their deities was not substituted by any solid grounds. As a result, the suicide of Okonkwo confirmed the impossibility for the villagers to maintain well-being without the support of their spiritual leaders (Achiebe, 1994). Hence, their experience contributes to the importance of the strong convictions of Africans for their prosperity.
In conclusion, life among the Igbo people was characterized by the presence of strong traditions, which were cruel but strictly followed by them. In turn, the arrival of white men resulted in undermining their practices and adversely affected the mindset of dwellers who could not adjust to new conditions. Subsequently, neither religion nor legal practices were accepted by them, and the acts of burning the property of European officials confirms the failure of missionaries to establish new customs. Thus, the high imperialism of the nineteenth century brought more damage than good to the Igbo tribe.
Reference
Achebe, C. (1994). Things fall apart. Penguin Books.