In Chapter 13, the funeral gathering for Ezeudu and Okonkwo’s disgrace is described. The entire clan attends Ezeudu’s funeral, as he was a great warrior and held three titles during his lifetime. The rituals and customs involved in the funeral include banging a loud gong, firing cannons into the sky, and a procession of night warriors and the whole clan.
Ezeudu’s funeral is a big ceremony with shouting, drum beating, gun and cannon shots, cutting trees and animals, jumping over walls, and dancing. Men dance, fire off guns, and dash about in a frenzy of wailing for the loss of Ezeudu. Periodically, the egwugwu spirits appear from the area.
Three separate rituals or sudtoms are involved in Ezeudu’s funeral: shouting and firing of guns, beating of drums, and the appearance of the egwugwu. As the funeral continued, the ceremony became louder with these rituals.
The rituals involve tumult, with the beating of drums, firing of guns, and clanging of machetes. According to tradition, the men from Ezeudu’s quarter burn Okonkwo’s buildings and kill his animals to cleanse the village of his sin. At the burial of Ezeudu, clansmen brandish machetes and shoot guns and cannons. After the man’s son is killed, the men destroy Okonkwo’s compound.
Celebrations involving music, dancing, and the firing of guns honor the departed. Ezeudu’s titles and accomplishments are celebrated, and sacrifices are made. Burial traditions include women being buried with their original families and the Evil Forest where the diseased and desecrated are buried.
📹 Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Part 1, Chapter 13
Professor Kristen Over of Northeastern Illinois University provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Part 1, Chapter 13 of …
What offense does Okonkwo commit at Ezeudu’s funeral?
Okonkwo’s exile from Umuofia is a consequence of his unintentional killing of Ogbuefi Ezeudu’s son during the latter’s funeral, an act that is regarded as a crime against the earth goddess.
How did Okonkwo react to Ezeudu’s death?
Ezeudu, the oldest man in the village, is killed by drums and cannons, signaling the news of the village’s news. Okonkwo, a warrior and egwugwu, attends his funeral, which involves tumult and gunfire. During the ceremony, it is revealed that Ezeudu’s sixteen-year-old son was killed by a piece of iron from Okonkwo’s gun. The masked gods honor Ezeudu, highlighting his importance in the clan. Okonkwo’s accident with the gun is a turning point in the plot, either purely an act of fate or an accident. The masked gods show up to honor Ezeudu, showcasing his importance in the clan.
What are the customs in Things Fall Apart?
The text delineates the conventional etiquette observed within a clan, encompassing the ritual exchange of a kola nut in reverence to the deities and forefathers, as well as the delineation of traditional gender roles. These roles are characterized by the responsibilities of women in culinary pursuits, the narration of narratives, and the stewardship of crops, while men are entrusted with the cultivation of yams and the role of warriors.
How does the Igbo community honor the death of Ezeudu?
The village congregates for the funeral ceremony of a warrior who achieved three titles in his lifetime, a rare accomplishment. In a display of grief and honor, the men of the village dance, fire guns, and wail for the loss of Ezeudu.
What is ironic about Ezeudu’s son’s death?
At the funeral of Ezeudu, Okonkwo unwittingly slays his son, Ikemefuna, in violation of the tenets of the Earth Goddess. This results in Okonkwo being exiled for a period of seven years. Ezeudu cautioned Okonkwo against involvement in the death of Ikemefuna. The Obierika justified the destruction of Okonkwo’s living quarters, animals, and barn.
How do the rituals related to the kola nut and the palm wine reflect the values of the community?
In his novel Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe underscores the pivotal role of the kola nut ritual, a symbol of mutual respect and community, which is traditionally broken and consumed by the host when welcoming a guest into their home.
What customs are involved in Ezeudu’s funeral?
At the funeral, a variety of musical instruments were played, including drums, guns, and egwugwu, which contributed to the overall intensity of the ceremony. The firearm owned by Okonkwo discharged, resulting in the demise of Ezeudu’s son due to the penetration of an iron object.
What happens during Ezeudu’s funeral?
Ezeudu, a celebrated warrior who had attained three clan titles, was accorded a magnificent funeral ceremony. However, the proceedings were marred by the tragic demise of his son, Okonkwo, who was fatally wounded by a firearm discharge.
What terrible accident occurs at the funeral in Things Fall Apart?
At the funeral, Unoka played his flute, which resulted in a tragic accident that led to the demise of Ogbuefi Udo’s wife. Okonkwo’s firearm discharged inadvertently, resulting in the demise of a clan member and a transgression against the earth goddess.
Which did not happen during Ezeudu’s funeral?
During the funeral of Ezeudu, both men and boys participated in wrestling matches, which was not the event that occurred.
What is the tragedy that takes place during the final burial rites for Ezeudu?
During the final burial rites for Ezeudu, Okonkwo accidentally shoots and kills one of his sons, precipitating a tragic event as the cannon is discharged and guns are fired.
📹 Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Part 2, Chapter 17
Professor Kristen Over of Northeastern Illinois University provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Part 2, Chapter 17 of …
Most of your analysis of the customs and traditions in the novel as authentic Igbo culture are too generalizing. The novel being a fiction, created a fictional sub-society within the larger Igbo society and with it’s own sub-culture, customs and traditions. So the things in the novel aren’t necessarily factual. They are there for the purpose of the story in general.