Art

Types of Art:

Due to the diversity of the Igbo people, there is no specific art style. But most Igbo carve and use masks, but the function of these masks is different at each village. They also place an emphasis on architecture, landscapes and story telling.

Igbo Masks:

The Igbo are a large and diverse population, they have absorbed many influences from surrounding cultures, and as a result, their artwork is very diverse. 

Igbo culture embraces the idea of a wide variety of gods, rather than being exclusive to one or several god. In the artwork surrounding their worship, there is a great emphasis on process rather than product, because the emphasis put on motion. This love of motion is evident in their masquerades in which the audience follows and often dances and shadows the dancers movements.

This is seen in the celebrations they have throughout the novel, for example in chapter 22. There is a celebration in honor of the earth deity. Here, Enoche unmasks a egwugwu and by tradition this eliminates the spirit. This is because in traditional Igbo religion the human underneath the mask is not present, the mask is transformed into the spirit. 

Art of storytelling:

Achebe uses the art of traditional storytelling. He references legends of the tribe this helps to illustrate what believe and respect. 

For example:

-Childhood expiences