Your Thoughts On The Novel

• Based on your reading of “Things Fall Apart”, what aspects of the Igbo culture allow the British to take over? 

Based on my reading, the British able to take over on the Igbo culture from the aspects of religions and beliefs. Firstly, it is because some of the Igblo people suffer because of their beliefs. For example, Nwoye does not ascribe to the traditional Igbo view of masculinity being equated with violence; rather, he prefers the stories of his mother. Nwoye also connects to Ikemefuma who presents an alternative to Okonkwo's rigid masculinity. The death of Ikemefuna affects Nwoye’s perspectives on their culture and he is also one of the early converts to Christianity with the arrival of the missionaries. Nwoye’s decision to convert is viewed as a final betrayal by Okonkwo.

Besides that, Christianity is seen as a hope and an opportunity to live a better life. The act of killing the Ikemefuna who was sacrificed in order to bring peace after the war and the sacrifice of the twins who was considered as an abomination has caused some of the Ibo people to disagree with the culture.  This can be seen when those who have been alienated from the Igbo society accepts the Christianity brought by the British. Slowly, the number of the converts increased as they realized their culture and belief is wrong. Thus, the conversion of the Igbo society to Christianity has indirectly made the British to take over the belief of the Igbo society.

Next, the British also able to take over the Igbo's culture from the aspect of cooperation as one community. When new cultures and religions meet the original, there is likely to be a struggle for dominance. The District Commissioner is upset by the burning of the church and requests that the leaders of Umuofia meet with him. Once they are gathered, however, the leaders are handcuffed and thrown in jail, where they suffer insults and physical abuse. After the prisoners are released, the clansmen hold a meeting, during which five court messengers approach and order the clansmen to desist. Expecting his fellow clan members to join him in the uprising, Okonkwo kills the leader with his machete. When the crowd allows the other messengers to escape, Okonkwo realizes that his clan is not willing to go to war. When the District Commissioner arrives at Okonkwo’s compound, he finds that Okonkwo has hanged himself. Okonkwo acts on his own and was not supported by his own people. 

• Since Sarawak has also undergone colonisation, how has this affected aspects of culture in our society? 

The aspects of culture in our Sarawakian society have also been affected during the period of colonization. Firstly, the religions and beliefs of the Sarawakian. For example, there are a lot of Christians in Sarawak. The missionaries during the colonization era spread this religion from the urban area to the rural area. Most of the natives in Sarawak devoted to one God and does not believe in many Gods as their ancestor did.

“ Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia where Christians form a majority. Major Christian denominations in Sarawak are the Roman Catholics, Anglicans,Methodists, Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM or Sidang Injil Borneo, S.I.B.), and Baptists. Many Sarawakian Christians are non-Malay Bumiputera, ranging from Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Melanau.”

Wikipedia

Colonialism also affects the language used by the native of Sarawak. As the European missionaries spread the Christianity, most of the converts able to understand,speak and read in English. Thus, it had affected their original culture,language and taboo. 

Lastly, the colonization affects the unity of the Sarawak people. Sarawak consists of different ethnic, culture and beliefs. Even though the colonization spread a new religion but it also teaches the Sarawak people to unite as one, devoted to one God and respect each other. Despite the differences between the races,culture and beliefs they able to live harmoniously. During Gawai Dayak Celebration, it was celebrated not only by the Dayaks but also other ethnic too.

Are there any changes brought about in the lives of the indigenous tribes in Africa and Sarawak? 

Yes,there are a lot of changes especially from the aspects of language,religions,beliefs and development. These changes had their own positive and negative side.Firstly, the aspect of language is both the Sarawak and Africa people learn English language. This helps them to talk fluently in English. Their new generations also able to learn this language as it is a global language.

Secondly, from the aspect of religions is the Christianity is also has the followers from the Africa and Sarawak people. Most of the tribes in both countries consist of Christians.Thirdly, most of the Sarawak and Africa people abandoned their beliefs especially the violent ones. For example, the Dayak especially the Ibans no longer practice of being a headhunter.

Lastly, these changes help them to be more developed tribes, open–minded and able to be more independent country. It brought their society to unity and development. Colonialism teaches them to be more conscious of their weaknesses and able to differentiate what is right and what is wrong.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Alysa Julia