q What attributes are valued in the males of Umuofia?
Attributes such as Physical strength and the ability to work hard for your family are most valued.
When a boy becomes a man he is expected to put away all childish feelings. They expect males
to be tough, to not weep or struggle over killing people in warfare.
q How important are proverbs in this culture? What saying tells us this?
'Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with
which words are spoken.' pg 6
q Explain how marriage and family life function.
Males have dominance over women in this culture and can have as many wives as they are prepared
to pay bride price and provide for. The more wives you have the more wealth you have. The male
has his own hut separate from his wives and can beat not only his children but his wives if he
chooses too. Once the sons grow old they too have dominance over their younger siblings and
mothers. They family life is centered around the father of the house.
q What is the attitude to women in general and in regard to religious beliefs?
Women, in general, are the lesser of the race. They are heavily reliant on men. They live with their
father, then go to live with their husband as one of his wives. They cannot live a single life and are
controlled by their husbands. However, many of their God's are women are represented as strong,
free and in control of all people and animals.
q How does sharecropping work?
A wealthy man gives as many yams asked of him, those are then planted and 2 thirds of the crop are
given back to the wealthy man. It is usually for young men who have no other way of building their
barn.
q Has Ibo culture been presented positively, negatively or have we seen both?
Ibo culture has been presented positively. It even shows the true feelings of some of the hardest
characters even though they are brutal in battle and to their wives and children. The whole purpose
of this book is to present the Ibo culture to western society in a positive light and to see past the
brutality of their cultural beliefs.
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