Week 5

Based on your reading of things fall apart, what aspects of Igbo culture allow British to take over?

Since Sarawak has also undergone colonisation, how has this affected aspect of culture in our society?

Are there any changes brought about in the lives of the indigenous tribes in Africa and Sarawak.

There are so many aspects of Igbo culture that allow British to take over. Firstly, they were ignorant of the capabilities of others. They thought that they were the best among all and did not think of the abilities of the missionaries to have come and invade them. That’s what happened when British came with the bicycle that the Igbo people called it ‘iron horse’ and they were so amazed with it and then let the British come and live with them. They thought the British will die after living in the Evil Forest but they turned out to be perfectly fine and even managed to build a church there. That incident had advanced the Igbo people to embrace Christianity.

Firstly, the religion of the people here changed. Majority of the tribes here are Christian after the colonisation when before, many of them were atheist or practiced the religion of their ancestors. The changes brought here, in Sarawak and Africa, the changes brought doesn’t seem to be much different. The systems are changed. The colonisation had brought so many administrations to be followed by the commoners. There were courts, schools and hospitals that were introduced by the British to help advancing the life of the people. Thus the education system, the health and the rules and safety of the people are getting better because of the colonisation.

The social life of the people also changed after the colonisation. The wedding of the people in Serawak and Africa has been western-like where they started to wear suits and wedding gowns during the ceremony and not their traditional wear anymore. Even when they wear their traditional outfit, the women will match it with high heels. Somehow the originality has gone. There are, however few left who still wear it. The way of eating also had changed, as the Sarawakian started to eat using fork and spoon and no longer use their hands like they used to. One by one the culture of the people starting to fade away.

by : Ateeq Medina