things fall apart

Question 1

cowries

Answer 1

traditional shells used as currency

Question 2

week of peace

Answer 2

a sacred week in umuofia during which violence is strictly forbidden to honor the earth goddess and ensure a good harvest

Question 3

throw the cat

Answer 3

a wrestling move; defeating the champion wrestler known as “the cat” signifies great physical strength and honor

Question 4

new yam festival

Answer 4

a cultural celebration marking the beginning of the harvest season; an important social and religious event

Question 5

sacred python

Answer 5

a revered animal in Igbo religion, considered the incarnation of a deity and not to be harmed

Question 6

bride price

Answer 6

the traditional dowry paid by a groom’s family to the bride’s family as part of the marriage customs

Question 7

iyi-uwa

Answer 7

a mystical stone that binds an ogbanje (spirit child) to the mortal world. destroying it helps the child stay alive

Question 8

ogbanje

Answer 8

a child believed to die and be reborn repeatedly, causing grief to its parents. can be freed by finding and destroying its iyi-uwa

Question 9

egwugwu

Answer 9

ancestral spirits represented by masked men of the clan; they serve as judges in clan disputes

Question 10

palm oil

Answer 10

a valuable product extracted from palm nuts, used in cooking and trade, symbolizing wealth and prosperity

Question 11

umuofia

Answer 11

the powerful Igbo village where okonkwo lives; known for its warriors and strong traditions

Question 12

mbaino

Answer 12

a neighboring village to umuofia; ikemefuna is given to umuofia from mbaino to settle a dispute of a umuofia person being killed

Question 13

mbanta

Answer 13

okonkwo’s motherland, where he is exiled for seven years after committing a crime in umuofia

Question 14

evil forest

Answer 14

a symbolic and spiritual place where unwanted items and taboo people (like twins or the exiled) are cast away

Question 15

okonkwo

Answer 15

the protagonist; a respected warrior and farmer who struggles with fear of weakness and upholding tradition

Question 16

unoka

Answer 16

okonkwo’s father; known for being gentle, artistic, and poor—everything okonkwo despises

Question 17

ikemefuna

Answer 17

a boy from mbaino who lives with okonkwo’s family; becomes close to nwoye before being tragically killed

Question 18

nwoye

Answer 18

okonkwo’s eldest son, who becomes disillusioned with his father’s values and later converts to christianity

Question 19

ekwefi

Answer 19

okonkwo’s second wife and mother of ezinma; known for her strength and love for her only surviving child

Question 20

ezinma

Answer 20

daughter of okonkwo and ekwefi; considered an ogbanje and is her father’s favorite child

Question 21

ogbuefi ezeudu

Answer 21

the oldest man in umuofia; warns okonkwo against killing ikemefuna

Question 22

obierika

Answer 22

okonkwo’s close friend; a thoughtful man who often questions tribal traditions and supports okonkwo during his exile

Question 23

chielo

Answer 23

the priestess of the oracle of agbala; she is a respected and mysterious figure

Question 24

the oracle

Answer 24

the spiritual figure who advises the village through chielo; has great influence over tribal decisions

Question 25

uchendu

Answer 25

okonkwo’s maternal uncle; provides okonkwo refuge and wise counsel during his exile in mbanta

Question 26

district commissioner

Answer 26

a british colonial official who represents the imperial authority and tries to impose western order

Question 27

mr kiaga

Answer 27

an african christian missionary who converts many in mbanta, including nwoye

Question 28

mr brown

Answer 28

the first white missionary in umuofia; he is respectful and tries to understand the igbo culture

Question 29

mr smith

Answer 29

a strict and uncompromising missionary who replaces mr. brown and worsens tensions

Question 30

enoch

Answer 30

a radical christian convert who sparks conflict by unmasking an egwugwu