Introduction
Dead Men’s Path by Chinua Achebe is a story of a young and modern headmaster, Michael Obi who has been recently promoted as the headmaster of a small village school in Africa. He has excelled in the education in colonialism and is hence entrusted to rescue a backward school. The story deals with culture clash that is vividly represented in the contrast thought process of the main protagonist, Obi and the villagers. The story is set in the year 1949 in Nigeria and depicts the clash between traditional values and rituals and world views. This is especially true as Nigeria was a British colony during this time.
Multiculturalism in Dead Men’s Path
The story vividly describes the opinions of Michael Obi, the headmaster who firmly supports transforming traditional beliefs and rituals towards modern thought processes. The main theme of this short academic work is tradition. This is apparent with the discovery of the ancient footpath by Obi and the reactions from the villages on shutting down the path. The author tries to explain the importance of ancient rituals and values of remembering and respecting people despite the fact that modernism may deem them to be absurd. He further tries to depict that it is not possible to diminish and outright dismiss certain values and rituals which has been assiduously followed from times immemorial. This adherence to ancient rituals is apparent from the sentence “The Path,” the teacher said apologetically, “appears to be very important to them. Although it is hardly used, it connects the village shrine with their place of burial” (Achebe, 328).
An interpretation to this short story is to view it on the rationalist and progressive viewpoints of Michael Obi. He believes in progressive western thoughts and scientific beliefs which have been replaced by the otherwise traditional beliefs in God and his divinity. He claims his beliefs to be far superior that those of the barbaric villagers. In this context, a reference to the edict by Palacios Rubios, the Requirement is extremely significant. The core message of this book was to convert all to Christianity and thereby induced an absent rule. The globalised world targeted all non Christians to enslavement and terrorism. The author was converted to Christianity in the mission schools where he received his education. Dead Men’s Path reflects the inherent tension of dual heritage of pre-colonial and post-colonial thoughts which the author had been subjected to.
Culture clash in Dead Men’s Path
The story especially highlights two conflicting opinions – one is that of Obi, the headmaster and the other is the viewpoint of the village priest. Obi’s beliefs are dismissed for not being adequately rationale as it does not display imaginative sympathy towards the beliefs and values of other individuals and also depicts the Obi’s inability of self reflexive thinking. The village priest on the other hand displays reflexive thinking by recommending peaceful coexistence between the school and the village. The author dismisses the belief of Obi and the Requirement Colonists as they are based on simple arithmetic and either a lack or fullness of presence instead of displaying the attributes of dynamic and fluid presence for relational coexistence.
Another interpretation to this short story is the culture clash displayed in the European and African thought processes. Africa and Europe are two distinct, even opposite societies having diverse histories and traditions which has led to the creation of distinct cultures, institutions and beliefs displaying diametrically antagonistic global missions and opinions both collectively and individually.
According to Europe, Africa provides cheap labour and abundant raw materials and these in turn will aid in garnering lucrative business enterprises and excellent revenues. Thus, it led to the maintenance of the master and slave relationship for satiating its business ends and historical objectives. The story highlights the manner in which colonialism in African nations tries to destroy institutions, culture, traditions and beliefs but miserably fails in uprooting individuals from their age old values, cultures and traditions (Chivaura, 1998).
Conclusion
Dead Men’s Path highlights the importance of habits and traditions for the organizing and survival of indigenous societies (Ogede, 2001). It stresses on the view of existing in friendly cooperation with these small societies by accepting and respecting their ancient traditions and values.
References
Chivaura, V.G. (1998). European culture in Africa as business: its implications on the development of the human factor. Journal of Black Studies, 29(2), 189-208.
Ogede, O. (2001). Oral tradition and modern storytelling: revisiting Chinua Achebe’s short stories, The International Fiction Review, 28 (1&2).
