Chi Ewere Ehihe Jie

Chi Ewere Ehihe Jie (English title: Night has fallen in the afternoon ) is a short story by the Nigerian author Joseph Uchechuku Tagbo Nzeako . It is undated and was probably published in Onitsha in the Nigerian state of Anambra around 1980.

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The story takes place in a traditional pre-Christian Igbo village community and depicts the story of Ikepuru Ezeonyekwelu , a chief in the village of Alǫoke , his wife Ugonwa and their only son Nonyerem . The growing up of the son is used as the narrative thread of the story. It ends with the disappearance of the son who refuses an arranged marriage, whereupon his father marries the bride and fathered more children with her.

Narrative style

The text has an authorial narrator and is written in the past tense. The characterizing stylistic device of the story is the continuous use of allegories and metaphors that belong to the traditional Igbo culture. With them the reader becomes essential historical, social and religious information of the Igbo culture on z. Sometimes conveyed in a drastic and humorous way.

The language images in the form of proverbs and idioms are reminiscent of written oral traditions . They are difficult to decipher for readers from other cultures because they contain tropical animals (e.g. python ) or unknown plants (e.g. Ulanjina ) with culture-specific connotations.

additional

The story has 72 pages and is divided into 14 chapters. 13 of the chapters each start with a chapter heading, followed by a black and white drawing of a life situation, signed with an associated motto and the following text. Only chapter 10 does not contain a drawing.

Information about the author

The author Joseph Uchechuku Tagbo Nzeako was born on June 14, 1940 in the Nigerian state of Anambra as one of 10 children. After finishing school, he studied journalism and worked for a television station in Enugu .

Chi Ewere Ehihe Jie is one of the few literary works that is written in the Igbo language . Other works by the same author are

Okuku Agbasaa Okpesi , 1964 (Thomas Nelson, Nigeria),
Erimma , 1973 (Thomas Nelson, Nigeria),
Juochi , 1981 (Macmillan, Nigeria).

Web links

Facsimile of "Chi Ewere Ehihe Jie" with several drawings. Columbia University, Igbo , accessed February 19, 2016.

Individual evidence

↑ "Chi Ewere Ehihe Jie (Night has fallen in the afternoon)" , by JU Tagbo Nzeako, Onitsha undated, probably published in 1980. In: “About the IGBO Language. Materials compiled by Frances W. Pritchett, " Columbia University, Igbo and English , accessed February 19, 2016.
^ "Night has fallen in the afternoon". Translator's introduction . In: “About the IGBO Language. Materials compiled by Frances W. Pritchett " , Columbia University, English, accessed February 19, 2016.

[1] "Chi Ewere Ehihe Jie (Night has fallen in the afternoon)" , by JU Tagbo Nzeako, Onitsha undated, probably published in 1980. In: “About the IGBO Language. Materials compiled by Frances W. Pritchett, " Columbia University, Igbo and English , accessed February 19, 2016.

[2] "Night has fallen in the afternoon". Translator's introduction . In: “About the IGBO Language. Materials compiled by Frances W. Pritchett " , Columbia University, English, accessed February 19, 2016.