The Concepts of Tradition and Modernity in the Bride Price by Buchi Emecheta.
The concepts of tradition and modernity in The Bride Price by Buchi Emecheta.
INTRODUCTION
The concept of tradition versus modernity has been widely explored in the novel entitled Bride Price by Buchi Emecheta. Every aspect including the setting of the novel, the tribal community that exists, the characters, the lifestyle which the community adopted and the values that each characters hold reflects the existence and also the confrontation between tradition and modernity. In this novel, the author has shown how modernity and its values try to seep into the community of Ibuza, a place where tradition and customs are strongly uphold by its residents. During the period from 1850 to 1960, Nigeria has been colonized by the British power and just like any other colonizers, the British asserted their dominance in the country through many mediums. It is also through this colonization that modernity was brought to the country. One of the changes that have been made was abolishing the slavery system which has been practised widely in the country. Slavery has been practiced in Nigeria for more than 300 years since the beginning of the 15th century and was then known as the “Slave Coast”. Apart from this, the colonial power has also made it a point to bring change to the country by introducing Christianity to the people and also using education in the excuse of “moulding” them to become more civilized and to cultivate a more proper way of thinking. In actual, education was used as a tool by the British to oppress the people of Nigeria and by subjecting them into accepting these foreign values. In relation to this, the Nigerians have yet to be able to escape from the dominating presence of the British power even after the nation has achieved independence. As a consequence, the community of Nigeria is exposed to the modernity brought upon by the colonial power and thus making them vulnerable to confront with these changes. In a way, the British Colonial Heritage represents
INTRODUCTION
The concept of tradition versus modernity has been widely explored in the novel entitled Bride Price by Buchi Emecheta. Every aspect including the setting of the novel, the tribal community that exists, the characters, the lifestyle which the community adopted and the values that each characters hold reflects the existence and also the confrontation between tradition and modernity. In this novel, the author has shown how modernity and its values try to seep into the community of Ibuza, a place where tradition and customs are strongly uphold by its residents. During the period from 1850 to 1960, Nigeria has been colonized by the British power and just like any other colonizers, the British asserted their dominance in the country through many mediums. It is also through this colonization that modernity was brought to the country. One of the changes that have been made was abolishing the slavery system which has been practised widely in the country. Slavery has been practiced in Nigeria for more than 300 years since the beginning of the 15th century and was then known as the “Slave Coast”. Apart from this, the colonial power has also made it a point to bring change to the country by introducing Christianity to the people and also using education in the excuse of “moulding” them to become more civilized and to cultivate a more proper way of thinking. In actual, education was used as a tool by the British to oppress the people of Nigeria and by subjecting them into accepting these foreign values. In relation to this, the Nigerians have yet to be able to escape from the dominating presence of the British power even after the nation has achieved independence. As a consequence, the community of Nigeria is exposed to the modernity brought upon by the colonial power and thus making them vulnerable to confront with these changes. In a way, the British Colonial Heritage represents
References: 1. Babaee, Ruzbeh & Babaee, Siamak. “Tradition versus modernity: A study on Emecheta’s The Bride Price.” Journal of African Studies and Development Vol. 4(6): 150-154. August 2012 <http://www.academicjournlas.org/JASD>. 2. Emecheta, Buchi. (1976). The Bride Price. United Kingdom: Allison and Busby.