Things Fall ApartThings Fall Apartby Chinua Achebeby Chinua Achebe

Meet the Author: Meet the Author: Chinua AchebeChinua Achebe

Born in Ogibi, Nigeria Born in Ogibi, Nigeria Raised with traditional values of Ibo Raised with traditional values of Ibo

(Igbo) culture, mixed with Christianity (Igbo) culture, mixed with Christianity Born to a teacher of a missionary Born to a teacher of a missionary

schoolschool Witnessed Nigerian civil war that Witnessed Nigerian civil war that

resulted in Nigerian independence resulted in Nigerian independence and then became disappointed with and then became disappointed with what Nigeria had become what Nigeria had become

Worked as a college professor, Worked as a college professor, authorauthor

Writes of the colonial experience Writes of the colonial experience from the African perspectivefrom the African perspective

Pre-Colonial Africa

Modern Africa

Pre-Colonial NigeriaPre-Colonial Nigeria An amalgam of ancient civilizations, kingdoms, and empiresAn amalgam of ancient civilizations, kingdoms, and empires Human civilization in region dates back to 11,000 BCE.Human civilization in region dates back to 11,000 BCE. Over 250 cultures represented in areaOver 250 cultures represented in area Portuguese explorers landed at Lagos in 1472.Portuguese explorers landed at Lagos in 1472. Portugal, Spain, Britain, and France built ports; engaged in the Portugal, Spain, Britain, and France built ports; engaged in the

slave trade with Nigeria from the 16th to 18th centuries.slave trade with Nigeria from the 16th to 18th centuries. In 1809, a single Islamic state, the Sokoto caliphate, was In 1809, a single Islamic state, the Sokoto caliphate, was

established.established. In 1903, the British military defeated the Sokoto caliphate.In 1903, the British military defeated the Sokoto caliphate. Britain officially proclaimed the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria Britain officially proclaimed the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria

in 1914. in 1914.

Geography & EconomyGeography & Economy Nigeria is located on the Atlantic Coast in Central Nigeria is located on the Atlantic Coast in Central

AfricaAfrica

Wide range of climatic variations and vegetationWide range of climatic variations and vegetation

Agriculture is main producer of jobs Agriculture is main producer of jobs

Petroleum is a major exportPetroleum is a major export

Tribal LifeTribal Life Marriage customsMarriage customs

Men of status have multiple wivesMen of status have multiple wives

ReligionReligion Egwugwu (ancestral spirits)Egwugwu (ancestral spirits)

Communal Living Communal Living

Traditions and Celebrations Traditions and Celebrations Centered around agriculture and the Centered around agriculture and the

seasonsseasons

British Colonialism Period British Colonialism Period 1850-1960: Nigeria was a British colony1850-1960: Nigeria was a British colony

Ibo region had desirable resourcesIbo region had desirable resources Many taxes imposed on the native peopleMany taxes imposed on the native people

Led to riots and uprisings Led to riots and uprisings

Introduced Christianity to Islamic regionIntroduced Christianity to Islamic region Missionary education introduced Missionary education introduced

Missionary Involvement Missionary Involvement

Colonization led to demand for education Colonization led to demand for education and proliferation of schoolsand proliferation of schools

Focus was on conversion to ChristianityFocus was on conversion to Christianity

Created conflict between tribal and Created conflict between tribal and European customsEuropean customs

Modern NigeriaModern Nigeria

1960 – Nigeria gains independence1960 – Nigeria gains independence Decades of political unrest and violenceDecades of political unrest and violence Jonathan Goodluck, current national leader of the Jonathan Goodluck, current national leader of the

republicrepublic Faces internal and external threats of terrorismFaces internal and external threats of terrorism

Birthplace of Boko Haram, radical Sunni Birthplace of Boko Haram, radical Sunni fundamentalist groupfundamentalist group

Name means “Western education is forbidden”Name means “Western education is forbidden”