Ikemefuna is sentenced to die by the oracle. The village men march with Ikemefuna far outside the village, and Okonkwo ends up killing Ikemefuna.
Ikemefuna is taken into Okonkwo's home as part of the compensation for a murder committed by the neighboring village. He lives with Okonkwo's family and forms a close bond with Okonkwo's son, Nwoye. However, tragically, Okonkwo ultimately participates in Ikemefuna's killing to demonstrate his masculinity and avoid appearing weak.
Ikemefuna eventually becomes one of the family and fulfills the role of Okonkwo's eldest son, being a mentor to Nwoye in particular.
Although a unnamed villager first ends up striking Ikemefuna, Okonkwo delivers the killing blow.
Ikemefuna is ultimately cut down by Okonkwo's machete. For more information see related questions.
Okonkwo tells Ikemefuna that he is to be taken home. If you do not consider 'home' to be Ikemefuna's final resting place, then this is indeed a lie.
Obierika is saddened and critical of the village's decision to kill Ikemefuna, as he viewed him as an adopted son and struggled to come to terms with his death. He questions the wisdom of the oracle and the customs that demand such sacrifices.
Ikemefuna is led by the tribe on a long march outside of its lands. One tribeman cuts him with a machete. As Ikemefuna runs to Okonkwo for safety, Okonkwo chops Ikemefuna down with his machete.
Okonkwo becomes a father to Ikemefuna, and Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo father. Ikemefuna is like the second man in the house, the closest to Okonkwo's personality, and helps to develop Nwoye's manhood. Okonkwo likes Ikemefuna, but does not show his feelings towards Ikemefuna because to do so would be unmanly.
Ikemefuna came from Mbaino.
That the Oracle said that Ikemefuna had to be killed. He also said that Okonkwo should not go with for the killing. However, he did. Okonkwo said that Ikemefuna was going back to his home tribe.
Okonkwo brought home a boy named Ikemefuna from his trip to Mbaino as a peace offering after a girl from his village was killed in Mbaino. Ikemefuna was to stay with Okonkwo's family until the elders decided on his fate.
The earth goddess is associated with fertility, nature, and balance in Igbo culture. In the story of "Things Fall Apart," the earth goddess plays a symbolic role in Okonkwo's story as his tragic downfall is connected to his defiance of traditional customs and his role in Ikemefuna's death, which angers the earth goddess and disrupts the natural order of the community.
Although Ikemefuna is from a different family, Nwoye treats Ikemefuna as an older brother to look up to and mimic. Ikemefuna is the older brother that Nwoye never had.
The Oracle of Agbala pronounced that Ikemefuna must die.
Okonkwo is part of the group which leads Ikemefuna out of the village to be killed. After Ikemefuna receives the first blow and runs towards Okonkwo for protection, Okonkwo strikes Ikemefuna down, not wanting to be seen as weak.
Okonkwo demonstrates his fondness for Ikemefuna by treating him as one of his own sons, providing for him, and showing him fatherly care and guidance. Despite his outward harshness and stoicism, he becomes emotionally attached to Ikemefuna, as he sees qualities in him that he appreciates and respects.