Changing the Tradition: The Influence of Colonization on Umuofia

Changing the Tradition: The Influence of Colonization on Umuofia In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe exercises the importance of traditions in an Ibo village of Nigeria. Africa is very well known for their long history, dating back to two million years ago, and their ancient ethnic customs have lived on since (“African History”). Unlike families from a rich white society, African families are usually required to live the traditions that have been survived through many generations, even if they are frowned upon in other parts of the world. However, the colonialists’ arrival in the late 19th century to Umuofia influences African characters of the novel to disobey these gender, religious, and cultural customs. Women were not really important in Umuofia since they did not contribute to society; however, the arrival of colonialists changes this custom when they import their so-called “new” ideas to the customary village. For example, before colonialism, women did not have much decision-making power and they were also restricted to staying inside the house. However, after colonialists arrive, women start to play a role in the trading and crop production markets, an enterprise only man was apart of before colonization. While they did not harvest yams, the symbol of “manliness…[and] greatness”, women harvested “coco-yams, beans and cassava” (Achebe 33, 23). The crops women grew became increasingly important to the Ibo culture for their value of trade, even though it was not the “symbol of the Ibo culture” like yam. As a result, women started getting involved in the trade market, and encountered foreigners more than did the men. The successful trading and many interactions with outsiders augmented women’s influence in society, so it gave them confidence to stand against the traditions. Hence, the Ibo tradition of women being the shadow and playing an unimportant role in society slowly changes due to colonization. Not only did the white colonialists influence women

Cited: Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books. 1959. Print. “African History.” Kidipede. History for Kids, 2013. Web. 4 March 2013.