Survival Tactics from Chinua Achebe and Arrow of God

Until recent history, external forces had extensively shaped the African narrative. Through cultural mediums such as books, photography, and religion, the ubiquitous image of the ‘Dark Continent’ ensured that Africa and its people were seen as savage and in need of intervention. These attitudes have generated damning real-life consequences for people from the continent and have been exploited by the West to justify foreign policy like slavery, colonization, and covert military intervention. Chinua Achebe describes this ability as the ‘absolute power over narrative.’ Its use has been particularly deadly, as language and global power structures have long prevented Africans from accessing the same information distribution networks as the West. Even with the advent of globalization and a vigorous push by Africans to reclaim their narrative, the effects of this ‘absolute power’ are still evident.

Achebe ushered in a wave of African literature that began the practice of painting a more nuanced picture of life on the continent, thereby formulating an African response to years of disparaging tales. The aim was not to exclude the views of external parties in the depiction of Africa. For the ‘father of modern African literature,’ the goal was to reach a point of balance as more African authors released works that spoke specifically to the customs, joys and pains of their specific communities. When the likes of Joseph Conrad pushed, authors like Achebe were there to pull. This exercise comes to life in Arrow of God, in the way the story wraps around the meticulous rituals performed by its protagonist, Ezeulu. The chief priest’s painstaking attention to detail and loyalty to his forefather’s traditions directly attacks the notion that African religions are without history, lacking structure, and rely solely on harmful sacrifices.