First published 2016
In the Igbo village of Umuaro, Chief Priest Ezeulu maintains ancient religious traditions, mediating between his people and their gods. When British colonial administrators and Christian missionaries arrive, they begin systematically undermining traditional power structures, challenging Ezeulu's authority and threatening the community's cultural integrity. Pressured to collaborate or resist, Ezeulu must navigate an increasingly complex landscape where every decision carries profound consequences for his people's survival. His own son's conversion to Christianity further fractures the delicate social fabric, forcing Ezeulu to confront the erosion of ancestral ways. As external forces reshape his world, he becomes both witness and victim to a transformative historical moment. At its heart, this is a story of cultural collision, personal integrity, and the impossible choices faced by individuals caught between tradition and inevitable change.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, african-literature, cultural
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-clash, personal-integrity
Setting: Nigeria
Period: 20th-century
236 pages · Kindle Edition · Penguin Books