Interplay between Tradition and Modernity in Chinua Achebe's Arrow of God

Abstract

The aim of this research is to explore the significance of Nigerian tradition andnative people'sstruggle to keep their social unity intact.This research investigates how Western Imperial powerand cultural hegemonies wereestablished generally in Africa and particularly in Nigeria and also studies theirconsequences with reference to Chinua Achebe's Arrow of God. Theresearch ponders into how the conflict arises due to the need to adhere one's traditional faith and the compulsion to yield to change.The Nigerian religious society faces the devastation and disruption of their cultural unity with the hand of colonialism. It accumulates the pain adsuffering, troubles' and tribulation,acceptanceand rejection of native people. Takingtheoretical insights on the significance of tradition by ZiauddinSardarand critique of colonial hegemony proposed byAshisNandy respectably the research analyzes how Nigerian people were brain washed by white people and how Nigerian perceived the arrival of colonizing order. This research portrays the significance of tradition and communal value in Nigerian society and possible needs of modernity with continuum of tradition. Key Words: Tradition, Modernity, Cultural disjuncture, Ambivalence, Alternative modernity.