Who are the egwugwu and what function due they do they fill in Ibo society?

By Aaron Hoseman and Connor Smith

FunctionThe egwugwu are spirits representing each of

the nine villages of Umuofia. They are the spiritual and judicial leaders of Umuofia. Although they are really made up of the clans elite, (including Okonkwo) the people of Umuofia believe they are higher beings. In Umuofia they demand fear and respect especially among women and children.

PlotThe egwugwu are present in two sections of the book. In the

egwugwu’s first appearance they are settling a dispute between a man and his wife. The scene shows egwugwu’s power in Umuofia. In the second scene the egwugwu are out for the annual earth deity ceremony and Enoch tears of the mask of one of the egwugwu. They retaliate by burning Enoch’s home and the church. The Christians respond by capturing the leaders of Umuofia.

Literary devicesInstinctive“It was instinctive.” p.89Chinua Achebe uses the piece of diction “instinctive” to show the people of Umuofia’s fear of the egwugwu. It is natural for the people to run at the sight of them. Achebe also uses the diction to relate to the theme “fear can affect peoples decisions” in that this is instinctive fear the people of Umuofia have for the egwugwu lead the to follow their judicial and War decisions.

Simile“The band of egwugwu moved like a furious whirlwind to Enoch’s compound” p.188Chinua Achebe uses the simile of the egwugwu to a whirlwind to emphasize their anger over Enoch’s damasking of one of their member’s. Achebe connects this simile to the theme “fear can affect peoples decisions” in that the fear of their culture fading is causing them to make the rash decisions to burn down these buildings.

Theme• Fear can greatly affect one decisions.