One crucial aspect of Umuofia is the culture. It is what makes the people who they are and shapes their lives into how they live it.
An insight to this would be when the egwugwu is discussed. These god-like figures or judges of character are acknowledged as mighty and larger than life, while in reality they are simply some Umuofia leaders dressed up in masks and tribal garb.
But the people of Umuofia choose to believe that their literal leaders can take place of higher beings who will judge them on their judgement days. They bring their personal matters to the egwugwu in order to be settled and make peace with.
Peace with some is war with others. Other members of the tribe disagree. They believe that monumental matters managed by masks should not be the law of the land. Anyone can go out and get a costume but does that make them reliable to almost hold your life in their hands?
While people today might find that absurd, it was an important part of the culture to Umuofia that was widely accepted. Although we would not go to Chuck E. Cheese and stand infront of the creepy mouse and ask for life advice and ask it to pick our career path, members of the tribes would go visit the egwugwu to discuss their most personal family matters.
The reader must understand the culture in order to understand the book. While it might be hard to wrap their heads around, this is what was worshipped and believed in mostly their whole people.
(You decide)
I like that you acknowledged that "peace with some is war with others". The blind faith that the tribe has to the egwugwu is definitely shocking. Traditions of that tribe seem to not have trust in its own tribe members, but they worship imaginary figures.
ReplyDeleteThis post is specifically interesting after we discussed believing in things without having solid proof in class today. Umuofia believes in the guidance of the egwugwu, despite knowing if it is really beneficial. Perhaps this is due to an ancestral tradition along with the cultural tradition.
ReplyDeleteI like the connection you made between egwugwu and Chuck E. Cheese. It shows how absurd these traditions the people of Umuofia follow are, even though they seem normal in the novel. The egwugwu's opinions may not always be in the best interest of the tribe, but they follow their words religiously.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that these leaders are nothing more than people dressed up, but it is the culture and traditions that make them who they are. I like your connection to Chuck E. Cheese. You mentioned while we don't go there for advice or reconciliation, its a more entertaining and recreational purpose.
ReplyDelete