Seven years away
from the clan, I am aware that I have lost place among the clan. The clan was like a lizard; if it lost its
tail it soon grew another. As soon as I left, someone else rose and filled
it. So, I have planned to build a bigger barn, marry two new wives, and get
title for my son in order to raise my position in the society. I am confident
that all those plans will succeed, and I can imagine myself taking the highest
title in the land.
But, Umuofia indeed
change during my absence. The church has converted a lot of our kinsmen, even a
man who had taken two titles, Ogbuefi Ugonna. Besides, they had built a court,
and the kotma is the one who
responsible to brought men for trial. The kotma
use their authorities in unreasonable way by beaten them and threatened them
like a slave. I felt extremely sad and anger at the same time after hearing the
stories from Obierika. I felt deeply grieved towards my clan, so sad that I
could not make changes as what I planned. I can feel how my clan breaking up
and falling apart. Umuofia indeed has changed from a strong and powerful to a
weak village.
I had returned to
Umuofia five months earlier, and the missionary, who known as Mr Brown came and
paid me a visit. He told me about Nwoye, who was now called as Isaac was sent
to the new training college for teachers in Umuru. I was very angry by drive
him away and promise that he would be carried out if he came into my compound
again. Obierika was indeed true; we
cannot fight the white men when our own brothers have turned against us.
Now, my own son, Nwoye, has chosen to follow the strangers by betraying our ancestors’
belief. Perhaps he is no longer my son, he did not resemble me at all, he changes
his belief, and now he changed his own name.
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