Ochigbo Samuel Eddy
Growth, Life, Lessons
3 min readApr 5, 2024

The father of African literature:

  • The Legacy of Chinua Achebe

In the vast landscape of world literature, few figures stand as prominently as Chinua Achebe. His contributions not only reshaped the literary landscape of Africa but also influenced the global understanding of colonialism, cultural identity, and the complexities of the human condition. Achebe's life and work are a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge cultures and illuminate shared experiences.

Born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, Nigeria, Achebe grew up in the Igbo community during a time of profound change. Nigeria was under British colonial rule, and the clash of cultures and the erosion of traditional values deeply influenced Achebe’s worldview and literary pursuits. His seminal work, "Things Fall Apart," published in 1958, is often hailed as a cornerstone of African literature.

"Things Fall Apart" chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a proud Igbo warrior grappling with the encroachment of British colonialism and the subsequent disintegration of his community's traditional way of life. Through Okonkwo's story, Achebe masterfully explores themes of cultural clash, the impact of colonialism, and the fragility of human ambition. The novel shattered…

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