An Introduction to Colonialism and Igbo Culture Things Fall Apart An Introduction to Colonialism and Igbo Culture

Colonialism Colonialism: the control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or people. Slave trade ended 1805, replaced by other trade including trade of raw materials European powers engaged in a “Scramble for Africa” starting in the 1870s. By 1890,most of Africa came under European control.

European Motives For Colonization European Nationalism Source for Raw Materials Missionary Activity Industrial Revolution European Motives For Colonization Markets for Finished Goods Military & Naval Bases Places to Dump Unwanted/ Excess Popul. Soc. & Eco. Opportunities

Ideology of African Colonialism Bringing civilization to “savages” Benefiting natives Taught superiority of European way of life, backwardness of African Christian missionaries arrived in Nigeria in the mid-1800s, and by the end of the century had begun a strong conversion campaign. They wanted the African people to embrace Christianity.

The major European powers to acquire African territories were Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and Italy.

private estate. Natives that did not supply enough rubber had King Leopold, the king of Belgium, ruled the Congo like his own private estate. Natives that did not supply enough rubber had their hands cut off. While the king profited, the people of the Belgian Congo suffered greatly.

The British established colonies in West Africa and along the length of most of East Africa from Egypt to South Africa.

Things Fall Apart is set during a period of British colonial rule of Nigeria in the late 1800s. Nigeria became a British colony in 1886. Nigeria did not gain their independence from the UK until October 1960.

Europeans divided Africa and ignored the tribal, ethnic, and cultural boundaries of the African people. This has led to tribal conflicts in many African nations that continue to this day.

Igbo people, land, and culture You will see a variety of pictures. On your paper take notes of what you see and create one or two questions about what you want to know based on what you see.

Igbo Village An Igbo village was part of a clan network made up of about five thousand people that were led by a council of men that made decisions democratically and shared a common market and meeting place

Igbo Wedding and Marriage In the Igbo society, polygyny is not merely tolerated, it is encouraged and accepted, still monogamous marriages very greatly outnumber polygynous ones. The normal age for marriage is 25-28 for the man and from 14 to 18 for the girl.

Yams The Igbo were subsistence farmers, which means they grew crops to survive. Men grew the important yam crop. Women grew other crops.

Sacred Statue The ikenga statue is found in sacred shrines of the Igbo-speaking people of southeastern Nigeria. The ikenga is believed to possess a protective spirit and provides success and achievement. The word "ikenga" translates to "man's life force" or "place of strength."