CHINUA ACHEBE 1930-2013

On Friday, March twenty-first, one of the finest writers of the 21st century passed away. Chinua Achebe was referred to affectionately as the father of African Literature. His first novel, 'Things Fall Apart', shows the destruction of tribal society by colonialism. I have only read two of his novels as only 'Things fall Apart' and  'Arrow of God'. These are two novels of phenomenal quality for two very different reasons. Things fall apart is not a literary masterpiece by any means. In fact, the storyline is the typical interaction between tribal and European societies and the subsequent destruction of the party with less weapons. However, therein lies the magic of Things Fall Apart. It was the first time the African experience of colonialism was articulated. It talks about the interactions and eventual destruction of Okonkwo's (the protagonist) tribal society. He  has interactions with two sections, the legislative sector and the religious sector. Encounters with British governors of other provinces and the missionary who has set up his church with the purpose of converting the 'savages', convince him of the need to fight the colonizer. The book was enthusiastically received and instantly turned Achebe into the biggest literary  discovery since Naipaul a couple years earlier. His third book, viewed  as a continuation of Things Fall Apart, The Arrow of God tells the story of two villages,Umurao and Okperi. The high priest of Umurao is Ezuelu, a proud man with a large family,although somewhat fickle. Controversially received, it not only attacked the system of the armed missionary,but also the system of traditional beliefs dominating the Ibo society of which he is a part. Full of African sayings and proverbs it chronicles the rise and fall of the high priest Ezuelu.

Achebe was never one to mince words. This made him an extremely controversial figure in certain parts of his homeland. Nigeria. This was especially evident during the secession of  certain states in the south-east of the country to form Biafran Republic. This action started events that led to the Nigerian Civil War which lasted from 1967 to 1970. The war is well known for its cruelty and no doubt contributed to the typical stereo-type that Africa is the land of war, starving people and a plethora of STD's. Achebe fell out of favor(if only temporary) with many Nigerians who saw the rebellion as illegal and supported by Apartheid South Africa and other outside power brokers. Even now, several decades after, his legacy remains somewhat divisive. Possibly that is the fate of the Third World writer. The jury is out on that and I or anybody doesn't have the right to cast judgement. That does not however take away one inch of his literary genius. What Achebe's case however does highlight is the faultiness of containing several hundred tribes and cultures in a confined space. In fact, it could be said that he courted controversy until the day literally that he died. That being said. the writer MUST  must be separated from the man. I dislike greatly V.S Naipaul's attitude but it does not stop me from acknowledging his enormous writing ability. Therefore the disrespect that I have seen some bloggers heap upon his memory is truly sad. He may have had views that did not sit well with many people but he also was a genius and for that he is to be respected.

So how will history judge Albert Chinualumogu Achebe? Will it say that he was a myopic, insular Nigerian who looked for the upliftment of the Ibo people alone? Will it read that Achebe was the African Naipaul? Or will it be a more balanced view? It should as Achebe peered into Nigerian  society and understood the reasons for the social and economic chaffing that has plagued Nigeria since the days of colonization. It is said that the quality of a writer is proven by the amount of fans he has, whether small or large. In this case, that is a faulty measuring stick. Many writers think that writing the truth is an excuse to be cynical. Achebe is not of this ilk. In fact, many of his writings are laden with love and respect for certain tribal institutions. He does not however mince his words in highlighting problems and the reasons behind these in his home country and by extension, the rest of Africa. Given this, and considering that we are all human and difference of opinion is what makes life what it is, Achebe should be treated with the utmost respect. He is after all the first and greatest of the Sub-Saharan writers and certainly one of the greatest writers ever