Chapter 12

Summary

Okonkwo and Ekwefi wait for EzinmaÂ’s exit from the cave but it is not until the early morning hours that Chielo appears with Ezinma. She doe not acknowledge either of them, but simply walks straight to EzinmaÂ’s hut and puts her to bed. The parents follow behind.

That day there is a festive air in the neighborhood as Obierika is celebrating his daughterÂ’s uri, a part of the betrothal ceremony, where the bridegroom brings the palm-wine for the brideÂ’s family, her kin, and extended family. Every family carries some food to the wedding house and the brideÂ’s mother is responsble for preparing the food for everyone. Tripods are exacted for the fire, and food is being prepared by the women.

Ekwefi is tired from the night before and waits until Ezinma wakes up and eats breakfast. OkonkwoÂ’s other wives leave to help prepare the food.

Oberieka is preparing two goats for the soup and admiring another that has been brought in as a gift. As the women prepare the meal, they hear that a cow has gotten loose somewhere. They leave a few women with the food and go to find and return it back to its owner. All the women must do this and there is a head check to see if everyone is present. Aftewards, the owner is fined heavily

By afternoon, two pots of palm-wine arrive from the in-lawÂ’s house. Later, the in-laws arrive each carrying a pot of wine. In all, fifty pots are received which is a respectable number. Kola nuts are offered and the betrothal is finalized. A great feast is laid out and everyone partakes in it happily. In the night, the young men start singing, the bride dances and everyone is happy.

Another traditional ceremony is described in this chapter which further contributes to the readerÂ’s understanding of tribal customs and beliefs. This is the ceremony where the bridegroom brings palm-wine for all the guests and kin of the bride. The entire village celebrates with a feeling of togetherness and unity. The women prepare food and from all over the village women bring coco-yams, cake of salt and smoked fish, plantains and palm-oil and present it to ObierikaÂ’s wife. The slaughtering of the goat is also done in a way that is traditional. The goatÂ’s throat is first cut, the blood is collected in a bowl, then held over an open fire to burn off the hair. The smell of burning hair blends with the smell of cooking. The head is then washed, cut and handed over to the women to be cooked.

The rescue of the cow by all the women of the village is another custom that is observed quite strictly. The price for having a loose animal is steep and meant to maintain a sense of order in the village.

The number of pots of palm-wine brought by the bridegroom is of great significance since it denotes the respect they have for the bride’s family. Okonkwo therefore dares them to bring fewer than thirty pots-“I shall tell them my mind if they do” he warns. Fortunately, fifty pots are brought, which counts as enough respect for the bride’s people.

As seen in the song sung at the end, sexual activity is seen as a natural part of the courting ritual. Here women are seen as enjoying themselves as much as men do.

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