The Friendship Between Chinua Achebe And Christopher Okigbo
By Chika Udekwe
Chinua Achebe and Christopher Okigbo were close friends and literary contemporaries from Nigeria. They were both born in the 1930s and were part of a generation of writers who were working to establish a distinct Nigerian literary identity. They were both deeply involved in the literary scene in Nigeria, and their friendship was built on a shared passion for literature and a commitment to exploring the complexities of Nigerian society through their work.
Achebe and Okigbo were both very influential figures in Nigerian literature, and their friendship had a profound impact on the development of the literary scene in Nigeria. They were both deeply engaged in the political and social issues of their time and their work often reflected the struggles and challenges facing their country. Okigbo’s poetry, in particular, was known for its powerful and evocative imagery, which often dealt with themes of loss, grief, and the Nigerian Civil War.
Achebe’s essay "Morning Yet on Creation Day" is an example of how their friendship had a deep impact on Achebe and how Okigbo’s death during the war affected him. He wrote the essay as a tribute to Okigbo, and it is a moving reflection on the loss of a friend and the impact of political violence on literature and society.
Stumbled on "Awake for Okigbo" a lamentation and another distinct traditional tribute to Okigbo by Achebe and translated from Igbo by Ifeanyi Menkiti:
For whom are we searching?
For whom are we searching?
For Okigbo we are searching!
Nzomalizo!Has he gone for firewood, let him return.
Has he gone to fetch water, let him return.
Has he gone to the marketplace, let him return.
For Okigbo we are searching!
Nzomalizo!For whom are we searching?
For whom are we searching?
For Okigbo we are searching!
Nzomalizo!Has he gone for firewood, may Ugboko not take him.
Has he gone to the stream, may Iyi not swallow him!
Has he gone to the market, then keep from him you
Tumult of the marketplace!
Has he gone to battle,
Please Ogbonuke step aside for him!
For Okigbo we are searching!
Nzomalizo!They bring home a dance, who is to dance it for us?
They bring home a war, who will fight it for us?
The one we call repeatedly,
there’s something he alone can do
It is Okigbo we are calling!
Nzomalizo!Witness the dance, how it arrives
The war, how it has broken out
But the caller of the dance is nowhere to be found
The brave one in battle is nowhere in sight!
Do you not see now that whom we call again
And again, there is something he alone can do?
It is Okigbo we are calling!
Nzomalizo!The dance ends abruptly
The spirit dancers fold their dance and depart in midday
Rain soaks the stalwart, soaks the two-sided drum!
The flute is broken that elevates the spirit
The music pot shattered that accompanies the leg in
its measure
Brave one of my blood!
Brave one of Igbo land!
Brave one in the middle of so much blood!
Owner of riches in the dwelling place of spirit
Okigbo is the one I am calling!
Nzomalizo!”
The poem is considered one of the most powerful and moving tributes to Okigbo and is considered a classic of Nigerian literature.
Biography of Christopher Okigbo and His Poetry Preoccupation
Christopher Okigbo (1932-1967) was a Nigerian poet, teacher, and civil servant. He was born in Ojoto, Nigeria, and was educated at the University of Ibadan and the University of London. He worked as a teacher and civil servant before dedicating himself fully to writing poetry.
Okigbo’s poetry is known for its use of traditional African literary devices and forms, such as the use of proverbs, folktales, and oral storytelling techniques. He also frequently wrote about the political and social issues of his time, such as the Biafra War, in which he actively participated. His poetry often explores themes of identity, culture, and history, and uses imagery and symbolism to convey these themes.
Okigbo’s first collection of poetry, "Heavensgate" was published in 1963 and was followed by "Path of Thunder" in 1968. His poetry is considered to be some of the most important and influential in Nigerian literature.
He has been posthumously honored with numerous awards, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit award, which is the highest honor in Nigeria for intellectual and academic achievements.
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