Things Fall Apart:Things Fall Apart: Background Background

Published in 1958 Published in 1958

Chinua AchebeChinua Achebe Born in Ogibi, Nigeria Born in Ogibi, Nigeria Raised with traditional values of Ibo Raised with traditional values of Ibo

(Igbo) culture, mixed with Christianity (Igbo) culture, mixed with Christianity Born to a teacher of a missionary schoolBorn to a teacher of a missionary school Witnessed Nigerian civil war that resulted Witnessed Nigerian civil war that resulted

in Nigerian independence and then in Nigerian independence and then became disappointed with what Nigeria became disappointed with what Nigeria had become had become

Worked as a college professor, authorWorked as a college professor, author

Nigerian HistoryNigerian History 1800s: British trade impacts Nigeria 1800s: British trade impacts Nigeria

1897: British delegates are massacred as 1897: British delegates are massacred as a result of campaign against tribal customsa result of campaign against tribal customs

British troops then burned the village of Benin CityBritish troops then burned the village of Benin City

1900: Britain takes control of a Nigerian 1900: Britain takes control of a Nigerian region—causes split in countryregion—causes split in country

1950s: Political structure established 1950s: Political structure established 1960: Nigeria gains full independence1960: Nigeria gains full independence

Tensions in country still high Tensions in country still high

Nigerian History, cont.Nigerian History, cont. 1960s: continuous unrest and assassination of 1960s: continuous unrest and assassination of

govt leadersgovt leaders New leader decides to divide country more; creates Ibo New leader decides to divide country more; creates Ibo

hostility since one state is cut off from the seahostility since one state is cut off from the sea Causes bitter civil war Causes bitter civil war

1970: Biafra surrenders and ceases to exist 1970: Biafra surrenders and ceases to exist Modern times:Modern times:

Continent’s most populous countryContinent’s most populous country Still tensions between religious and ethnic groups Still tensions between religious and ethnic groups

Geography & AgricultureGeography & Agriculture

Nigeria is on Atlantic Coast in Central AfricaNigeria is on Atlantic Coast in Central Africa

Wide range of climatic variations and Wide range of climatic variations and vegetationvegetation

250 different ethnic groups250 different ethnic groups

Agriculture is main producer of jobs Agriculture is main producer of jobs Diverse crops and livestock Diverse crops and livestock

British Colonialism British Colonialism 1850-1960: Nigeria was a British colony1850-1960: Nigeria was a British colony

Introduced Christianity to Islamic regionIntroduced Christianity to Islamic region Ibo region had desirable resourcesIbo region had desirable resources Many taxes imposed on the native peopleMany taxes imposed on the native people

Led to riots and uprisings Led to riots and uprisings

Missionary education introduced Missionary education introduced

Missionary Involvement Missionary Involvement

Colonization led to demand for education Colonization led to demand for education and proliferation of schoolsand proliferation of schools

Focus was on conversion to ChristianityFocus was on conversion to Christianity

Created conflict between tribal and Created conflict between tribal and European customsEuropean customs

Tribal LifeTribal Life Marriage customsMarriage customs

Men of status have multiple wivesMen of status have multiple wives

ReligionReligion Egwugwu (ancestral spirits)Egwugwu (ancestral spirits)

Communal Living Communal Living

Traditions and Celebrations Traditions and Celebrations Centered around agriculture and the Centered around agriculture and the

seasonsseasons