Journal Entery

Date: July 21, 2007

Entery Number: 16

Page/Quote reflecting on: Pgs. 67-68

I found the story about Ogbuefi Ndulue's death and the death of his first wife very interesting. He was one of the oldest men in the Ire village. When he died his first wife went to him and called him three times but he didn't stir. She went back to her own hut and when it was time to wash the body one of Ndulue's younger wives went in to get Ozoemena and she found her dead. Because she died Ndulue's funeral would have to wait. I found that part especially interesting. Was that just their way of showing good manners or was it because it would look bad in some way or what? Why did they do that? He died first. Also, Umuofia wasn't told that he had died because she died and his funeral would be pushed back. I don't quite get that either. It was said that they had one mind and that he could not do anything without telling her. That means that they must have had a really strong bond. Why couldn't they be buried together? I don't get it. It's an interesting story and I kind of like it but it's confusing to me. It shows more of their society and cultural ways which are confusing sometimes.