Ritual, Ceremony, and Hierarchy Importance Among the Ibos

Rituals, ceremonies, and hierarchy are crucial in Igbo traditions. To prove this statement, it is important to present some examples of rituals from the book. The ritual of the kola nut symbolizes the Ibo’s tradition and desire to please their gods. When two tribes want to start a war, a representative of the aggressor’s side should go to the other tribe to negotiate. The Week of Peace is the other notable ritual that must be followed.

Reading a book it becomes understandable that all these rituals are important and if people do not follow them they consider themselves sinful. To prove the importance of ceremony following, it is possible to remember the situation when Okonkwo accidentally killed someone at a ritual funeral ceremony. Ceremonies are sacred and because Okonkwo dared to break one, he was sent into exile for seven years.

Dwelling upon the hierarchy in the relations of men and women it is possible to say that men are heads in the family relations and women are submitted to them. Still, the main focus of the book is the changes in Nigerian society and these changes have influenced the hierarchy of relations in the family. Women became freer; they now could allow themselves more. Moreover, some people fail to respect their roots and fathers that are considered to be some of the highest sins. All the power belongs to elders and only they can decide the most crucial questions of the tribe.

Thinking globally, it may be concluded that one of the main importance of ritual, ceremony, and hierarchy in Ibo’s tradition is control. Living in tribes, people do not have a state that makes all the functions it has to. But, people must be controlled; strict following different rituals and ceremonies, honoring hierarchy and belief are the main leverage that helps to maintain order in society. People must be controlled; otherwise, anarchy and outrage will be the main supporters of society. Belief is one of the main types of people’s control.