What is the significance of Ikemefuna’s life and death in Okonkwo’s household?
Ikemefuna is a fifteen-year-old boy from Mbaino, who is given as a sacrifice to Umuofia after a man from Mbaino kills a woman from Umuofia. Okonkwo ends up taking care of Ikemefuna, and he essentially becomes his surrogate son. Ikemefuna is portrayed as a happy, enthusiastic young boy, who grows extremely close to Okonkwo and his family. Ikemefuna and Nwoye develop a close bond and act like brothers. Okonkwo even prefers Ikemefuna over his own son but is careful not to show Ikemefuna any affection. Ikemefuna even acts a positive role model of Nwoye, encouraging him to engage in masculine activities.
Unfortunately, the Oracle declares after three years of Ikemefuna’s stay at Okonkwo’s home, that Ikemefuna must die but instructs Okonkwo not to have a role in the boy’s death. However, Okonkwo disobeys the Oracle and ends up killing Ikemefuna because be does not want the other man to view him as weak and effeminate. Ikemefuna’s death dramatically impacts Okonkwo and his household initially, Okonkwo does not eat or sleep for several days following Ikemefuna’s death. The entire household mourns, on the death of their beloved Surrogate son, especially Nwoye misses him a lot. Nwoye never forgets Ikemefuna’s death and becomes increasingly distant from his father. Nwoye also feels jaded about the traditional rituals of Umuofia and wants to leave his tribe. Eventually, Nwoye decides to join the Christian missionaries, and Okonkwo ends up disowning his son.
Okonkwo’s participation in the slaying of Ikemefuna is a pivotal moment in “Things Fall Apart”. It is a moment of honour that cannot please Ani, the great earth goddess, the centre of community, the ultimate judge of morality for the clan. It is a moment that changes the course of events, a moment easily paralleled in the death of Ezedu’s son. It is a moment when the centre of community life, the need to honour blood ties and need to respect the earth goddess, can no longer hold. It is a moment when “Things Fall Apart”.