By Sharon Gatebi.
Who is Chinua Achebe?
Chinua Achebe, a towering figure in African literature, is widely recognized for his profound impact on modern storytelling. His work, particularly Things Fall Apart, reshaped the portrayal of African identity, culture, and colonialism in global literature. Born on November 16, 1930, in the British colony of Nigeria, Achebe grew up immersed in Igbo traditions, an influence that would later define his literary career.
Achebe’s love for storytelling began in his Igbo village of Ogidi. He attended St. Philips’ Central School and later the prestigious Government College Umuahia. Initially, he pursued medicine at the University College Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan) but later switched to English, history, and theology after being disillusioned by Western portrayals of Africa. This decision cost him his scholarship, but his determination to redefine African narratives only grew stronger.
Achebe’s literary journey took shape at university, where he contributed essays to campus magazines and wrote his first short story, In a Village Church. After graduating in 1953, he taught briefly before joining the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) in Lagos, where he honed his storytelling and linguistic skills. Inspired by the cultural and political landscape around him, he began writing Things Fall Apart, a novel that would later revolutionize African literature.
Published in 1958, Things Fall Apart explored the clash between traditional Igbo society and colonial rule through the tragic story of Okonkwo, a yam farmer. Despite initial rejections, the book became a global sensation, earning Achebe critical acclaim. He followed it with No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), and A Man of the People (1966), each dissecting post-colonial Nigeria’s struggles.
Achebe’s literary success coincided with Nigeria’s turbulent political climate. When the country plunged into the Biafran War in 1967, Achebe, an advocate for the secessionist state of Biafra, used his voice to highlight the horrors of war. His home was bombed, and his family narrowly escaped. The war’s devastation influenced his later works, including the poetry collection Beware, Soul Brother (1971).
After the war, Achebe resumed academia at the University of Nigeria and launched Okike, a journal for African literature. He also ventured into politics, joining the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in 1983 and authoring The Trouble with Nigeria, a critique of the nation’s political failures.
In 1987, Achebe released Anthills of the Savannah, a political novel that cemented his reputation. However, tragedy struck in 1990 when a car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite his disability, he continued his literary and academic pursuits, accepting a professorship at Bard College in New York.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Achebe remained an outspoken critic of corruption in Nigeria. His 2012 memoir, There Was a Country, reignited discussions about the Biafran War.
Death
Achebe passed away on March 21, 2013, in Boston, United States. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy endures. He received numerous awards, including the Man Booker International Prize (2007) and the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize (2010), recognizing his unmatched contributions to literature.
Today, Achebe remains a revered literary figure, celebrated for giving Africa a powerful voice in global literature. His works continue to inspire writers and readers worldwide, ensuring that his influence never fades.
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