The Egwugwu are ancestral spirit masqueraders who play a significant role in the religious traditions and rituals of the Igbo people of Nigeria (in Things Fall Apart, the Igbo are called “Ibo”).
What is the significance of the Egwugwu in the Igbo society?
The egwugwu are a symbol of the culture and independence of the Umuofia . The egwugwu are seen as ancestral gods, though in actuality they are masked Umuofia elders. The egwugwu serve as respected judges in the community, listening to complaints and prescribing punishments and deciding conflicts.
Who are the Egwugwu and why are they important to the villagers?
The egwugwu are the masked ancestral spirits of Umuofia , who are comprised of the clan’s most revered men. The nine masked egwugwu act as the village judges and preside over disputes throughout the community. They represent the knowledge of their ancestors, which gives them the authority to make important decisions.
How do the Egwugwu fill an important function for the clan?
The remaining clan members go along with the impersonations, even if they suspect the truth. Through this role-playing , the egwugwu fill an important function for the clan. They act as judge and jury. They take these roles seriously, and the people obey their verdicts.
What did the Egwugwu do to the church?
The egwugwu burn down Enoch’s compound and move on to the church, where Reverend Smith and his interpreter, Okeke, meet them. Ajofia, the leading egwugwu of Umuofia, speaks to the two men, saying that they will not be harmed, but that they should not stand in the way of the egwugwu.
Who are the Egwugwu in Igbo culture?
The egwugwu are masked dancers that represent the nine ancestral spirits of Umuofia . These masked ancestral spirits are enigmatic in nature and comprise of nine revered village elders, who ceremonially gather to administer justice.
Why do the Egwugwu call humans bodies?
To emphasize their superiority and true spirituality, the egwugwu address humans with the inferior term “bodies,” implying that their spirits are not really strong , perhaps because they are trapped inside mortal vessels.
What did the Egwugwu decide Uzowulu should do?
The egwugwu decide that Uzowulu should bring an offering of palm-wine to his in-laws and beg for his wife to return , and that the in-laws should let Mgbafo go if Uzowulu brings the wine, ending this case. As the chapter closes, another trial over land begins.
Is Agbala male or female?
In Igbo culture, women are considered weaker than the men and thus it’s an insult to men to be called an agbala. Okonkwo is acutely aware of what it means to be a man in the Igbo tribe and is ashamed that someone might call him or his male relations agbala.
Is Okonkwo an Egwugwu?
Okonkwo has obviously risen to a lofty position of village leadership if he has indeed been selected as the egwugwu representative for his village. The egwugwu has similarities to a jury led by a foreman or judge.
Who are the Egwugwu and what function did they fill in Igbo society?
The village holds a ceremonial gathering to administer justice . The clan’s ancestral spirits, which are known as egwugwu, emerge from a secret house into which no woman is allowed to step. The egwugwu take the form of masked men, and everyone suspects that Okonkwo is among them.
What does nwoye fear?
He equates that line to the darkness of some of the village’s customs, such as abandoning babies, and the fear that he himself feels –that he is not masculine enough for his father or that his father will be violent toward him .
Why does Christianity appeal to nwoye?
Why does Nwoye convert to Christianity? Nwoye converts to Christianity largely to reject the excessive standard of masculinity his father wants him up to uphold . ... Nwoye’s conversion also provides him an opportunity to learn reading and writing, which, along with the poetry of the Bible, feeds his love of storytelling.
Why did the Egwugwu burn down the church because?
The next day, the egwugwu burn Enoch’s compound to the ground . They then gather in front of the church to confront Reverend Smith and his fellow Christians. They tell the Christians that they only wish to destroy the church in order to cleanse their village of Enoch’s horrible sin.
How did the Egwugwu respond to Enochs crime?
The egwugwu, ancestral spirits of the clan, dance in the tradition of the celebration. ... Enoch responds by pulling the spirit’s mask off , a serious offense to the clan because, according to Umuofian tradition, unmasking an egwugwu kills the ancestral spirit.
What kind of person is Mr Kiaga?
Mr. Kiaga is an Igbo man , and he speaks Ibo, the main language in the novel. He is part of the group of missionaries that comes to Mbanta while Okonkwo is living there with his mother’s clansmen.
