Ikemefuna has no idea he is in such a position because he is treated as a son in Okonkwo’s household. They have no place in society and are ruled by the village council. The slaves are captives or hostages given to the gods. This will be an important point when the Christians arrive. This is a celebration that unites everyone, and it comes right before the first of the tragedies that marks the decline of Okonkwo’s luck, and the luck of Umuofia.The interesting fact is thrown in casually that there are slaves in Umuofia, a fact the narrator does not explain or excuse.

The main concern at this moment is who will win the wrestling. Even Ekwefi, who is always worried Ezinma will die, as her other children did, is assured by the priestess that the girl will stay. The drums unite the people with the earth, and the feast and the wrestling make all feel secure. Okafo wins and is shouldered and sung to as the victor.Ĭommentary on Chapter SixWe see the villages of Umoufia at the height of their strength and joy during the wrestling matches. The two leaders, Ikezue and Okafo, fight last, to the screaming of the crowd. These men are from all the nine villages of Umoufia. Ezinma is now ten, and the priestess assures her that children usually stay if they live past six.Teams of twelve men each challenge each other and fight in pairs.

In the crowd, Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife, chats with Chielo, the priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and Cave, about her child, Ezinma, who is a favorite with the priestess. One boy who gains fame is Maduka, son of Obierika. The drummers are in front of the sacred silk-cotton tree, on which the souls of good children waited to be born, and women who wanted children would sit under its shade.Teams of boys in different age groups compete. Summary of Chapter SixThe village assembles to watch the wrestling, the sons or slaves carrying stools for elders.

Things fall apart chapter summary