Podcast
Questions and Answers
How did the church and the clan remain at first in Mbanta?
How did the church and the clan remain at first in Mbanta?
Separated for one another.
What did the villagers believe about the Christians?
What did the villagers believe about the Christians?
They will eventually weaken and die.
What happened with the three converts coming into the village?
What happened with the three converts coming into the village?
They said that traditional gods are dead, and the converts are ready to burn their shrines.
What did the clan men do to the three converts?
What did the clan men do to the three converts?
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What rumors circulate?
What rumors circulate?
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What does the word 'osu' mean?
What does the word 'osu' mean?
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Where do the 'osu' live?
Where do the 'osu' live?
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What were the 'osu' prohibited to do?
What were the 'osu' prohibited to do?
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Where are the 'osu' buried?
Where are the 'osu' buried?
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What did the 'osu' think when they see that the church welcomes twins?
What did the 'osu' think when they see that the church welcomes twins?
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What do converts say when two outcasts attend service?
What do converts say when two outcasts attend service?
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What does Mr. Kiaga say about the 'osu'?
What does Mr. Kiaga say about the 'osu'?
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What does one prior convert decide to do?
What does one prior convert decide to do?
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What do the others find in the missionary's point of view?
What do the others find in the missionary's point of view?
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What do most of the 'osu' do?
What do most of the 'osu' do?
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Who were the more dedicated members of the congregation?
Who were the more dedicated members of the congregation?
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What did the rumors say about one of the 'osu' converts?
What did the rumors say about one of the 'osu' converts?
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What is a python for the Igbo tribes?
What is a python for the Igbo tribes?
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Who gathers to decide on the punishment for the crime?
Who gathers to decide on the punishment for the crime?
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What has Okonkwo gained in Mbanta?
What has Okonkwo gained in Mbanta?
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What does Okonkwo think about the crime?
What does Okonkwo think about the crime?
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What do the elders decide?
What do the elders decide?
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How did Okonkwo react to the leaders' decision?
How did Okonkwo react to the leaders' decision?
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What does the proclamation of exclusion keep the Christians from?
What does the proclamation of exclusion keep the Christians from?
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According to Okoli, did he kill the python?
According to Okoli, did he kill the python?
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Why can't Okoli speak for himself?
Why can't Okoli speak for himself?
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What happens at the end of the day?
What happens at the end of the day?
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How do the villagers consider Okoli's death?
How do the villagers consider Okoli's death?
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What did the villagers decide to do after Okoli's death?
What did the villagers decide to do after Okoli's death?
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Study Notes
Church and Clan Dynamics
- The church and the clan in Mbanta initially remained separate entities.
- Villagers believed that Christians would eventually weaken their community and die out.
Converts' Reactions
- The arrival of three converts led to accusations that traditional gods were dead and shrines were to be burned.
- Clan men responded to the converts with severe violence.
Rumors and Governance
- It was rumored that the church had established its own governance, causing unrest among the villagers.
- "Osu" refers to a class of outcasts in Igbo culture, who are deemed unfit to associate with free-born clan members.
Life of the Osu
- The "osu" reside in a designated area of the village, separated from everyone else.
- They are prohibited from marrying free individuals or cutting their hair and are buried in the Evil Forest.
Perceptions of the Church
- The church's acceptance of twins was seen as welcoming by the "osu."
- Mr. Kiaga, a church leader, failed to grasp the stigma associated with "osu" among converts.
Conflict and Decisions
- The "osu" are viewed as needing the church the most and many chose to convert to Christianity.
- Past converts, however, may feel compelled to return to the clan due to tensions.
Community and Leadership
- Converts found strength and understanding in the missionaries’ perspectives.
- Okonkwo gained a leadership role in Mbanta, influenced by the clan dynamics.
Reactions to Violence
- Okonkwo believed the clan should respond violently to crimes against their traditions.
- Elders decided to exclude church members from clan activities, causing discontent among some leaders.
Punishment and Consequences
- Okoli faced accusations of killing the sacred python, a highly respected animal in the Igbo community.
- The decision for exclusion kept Christians from vital community resources like the market and stream.
Death and its Implications
- Okoli could not defend himself due to illness and ultimately died, which many villagers interpreted as divine retribution.
- Following Okoli’s death, the villagers decided to cease hostilities toward the Christians, indicating a shift in community tensions.
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Description
Test your understanding of key concepts from Chapter 1 of 'Things Fall Apart'. This quiz explores the relationships between traditional beliefs and the introduction of Christianity in the village of Mbanta. Answer questions based on significant phrases and definitions found in the text.