Black History

Achebe, the Lion, Tells Our Story

Daughters of the late author Chinua Achebe - Chinelo Achebe Ejueyitche and Nwando Achebe-Ogundimu - surround Achebe Symposium co-organizer Professor Micere Githae Mugo on Oct. 17 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Syracuse.

Keynote speaker Biodun Jeyifo, professor of Comparative Literature and African and African American Studies at Harvard University, said he believes SU's symposium on Achebe's "Arrow of God'' is the first dedicated to a single literary work.

I don't recall where or when I first heard of the great Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, who made his transition last year at age 82. It almost certainly wasn't in high school or college, where I and so many others would have greatly benefited from experiencing his insightful, educational and superbly written novels.
From "Things Fall Apart,'' "Anthills of the Savannah,'' "No Longer to Ease’’ and “The Education of a British Protected Child, which I have read within the last decade or so, to the acclaimed “Arrow of God,’’ which I am currently reading, Achebe’s works are an important step in self-reparation through revisitation, self-analysis, reporting and learning from the past to build the future, also known as Sankofa.
Dates aside, what I do remember is how reading his first book, "Things Fall Apart,'' made me feel - vividly and specifically enlightened and empowered. TFA offered a step-by-step truth of African history, her strengths and vulnerabilities in light of the enduringly destructive encounter with European colonization.
For me, Achebe lifted a stubborn veil of mystery. What I didnt already know through instinct or deduction, he laid bare, retelling the dynamics involved in Europe's physical, psychological, spiritual and mental assault on Africa and her diaspora with “fiction’’ writing that also stood alone in its eloquent and descriptive effectiveness.
But it is the Pan Africanist value that drew me in deepest. The lion of Africa finally had its say on the world stage. Achebe’s work reinforced the knowledge and pride I have in the Motherland's rich foundational culture, deep, indigenous spirituality and resolve. It gave me a real breakdown of the breakdown from which we are still recovering.
Achebe’s books are in part like revisiting the scene of a frighteningly enduring crime and having it dissected almost step-by-step with phase by phase awareness of the planning and execution made evident.
He puts it best:
“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart,” Achebe wrote in “Things Fall Apart.”
“Arrow of God,’’ completed the so-called Achebe trilogy that includes “Things Fall Apart’’ and “No Longer At Ease.’’
Syracuse University's Department of African American Studies recently brought “Arrow of God’’ to the community’s forefront with its reception, day-long symposium and dinner celebrating the 50th anniversary of what is regarded as Achebe’s best work.
It featured scholars both local, national and international, including two of his daughters - Chinelo Achebe Ejueyitche and Nwando Achebe-Ogundimu. It was deftly co-organized by SU’s Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence Micere Githae Mugo and Associate Professor Herb Ruffin.
I cannot believe my journey through Achebe’s works stopped short of this so-widely celebrated epic.
As symposium speakers pointed out, long has Africa’s mastery of prose existed. Its oral brilliance predates writing and the existence of award-giving itself from which Achebe and “Arrow’’ benefits.
It is one of the many things “Things Fall Apart’’ illuminates.
“Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten,” Achebe wrote.
Wow.
It’s on to “Arrow of God’’ for me.

- One Black Voice

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