Motherhood is an important part to a woman in Igbo society. Ekwefi's nine other children had died
Ezinma was an ogbanje child and Ekwefi is her mother. Since an ogbanje child is on whom dies but comes back to cause the mother pain, this shows that this was what Ezinma was supposed to do. Ezinma is the only child Ekwefi had and this was why. Because she is the only child, Ezinma and Ekwefi are very close.
Okonkwo's daughter, Ezinma
Ekwefi was a woman who loved wrestling, and fell in love with Okonkwo when she saw him throw Amalinze the Cat. She wanted to marry Okonkwo, but at the time, Okonkwo was too poor to marry. She ended up marrying another man, Anene, but after a couple years she ran away from him during the night to Okonkwo. Okonkwo took her and made love to her in his obi. Ekwefi became Okonkwo's second wife. Her love of wrestling remained. She bore child after child, but they all died during their early years until she had Ezinma. She treated her daughter Ezinma like a sister, as an equal. She continued to have children with Okonkwo, and fathered at least 10 children with him. Ekwefi often drew Okonkwo's rage, and was beaten by him occasionally. After one particular beating near the Festival of Yams, she made fun of Okonkwo's lack of prowess with a gun. This remark earned her a near-death experience, as Okonkwo discharged the gun at her, but did not end up hitting her. During one day, her daughter Ezinma was taken by the oracle Agbala's representative Chielo late at night. Worried for her daughter, she risked the wrath of the Gods by secretly following Chielo around the nine villages and back to her cave home where she communed with Agbala, all in very low light. Her daughter Ezinma also came down with the Iba or fever one day. She feared for Ezinma's death, but Ezinma managed to be healed by her father, Okonkwo. After Ezinma's iwi-uya was found, she felt much more relieved. Ekwefi continued to stay with Okonkwo, following him in exile to Mbanta, and then back home to Umuofia.
It appears that men offer proposals to the women and they decline or accept. This is shown when both Ezinma and Obiageli refuse marriage proposal in Mbanta in favor of marrying in Umuofia.A further consideration is whether the man has enough money to pay the bride-price. Okonkwo was unable to pay the bride-price for Ekwefi when he was young, and Ekwefi subsequently ran off to him years later. It is unknown if any consideration was paid to Ekwefi's former husband by Okonkwo.
Chielo wanted to take Ezinma to be seen by Agbala. In honesty, Chielo may have just been lonely, as she was a widow who only had 2 children of her own, not a great family. She had taken a particular fondness with Ezinma, calling her 'my daughter'.
Ekwefi was the Crystal of Beauty in her youth, as was her daughter Ezinma.
Ekwefi is Ezinma's mother in the novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. Their relationship is close and loving, with Ekwefi showing deep concern and empathy for Ezinma's well-being. Ekwefi sees Ezinma as her pride and joy, and their bond is a central aspect of the story.
Ezinma was an ogbanje child and Ekwefi is her mother. Since an ogbanje child is on whom dies but comes back to cause the mother pain, this shows that this was what Ezinma was supposed to do. Ezinma is the only child Ekwefi had and this was why. Because she is the only child, Ezinma and Ekwefi are very close.
Although not specifically mentioned, it can be guessed that Ekwefi is Okonkwo's favourite wife.Okonkwo originally wanted to take Ekwefi for his first wife, but he did not have enough money to pay for her dowry at the time.
Chielo is the priestess of the Oracle to Agbala. Her opinion as a voice to the gods and ancestors is held in high regard, particularly regarding inter-village relationships. Chielo is a friend to Ekwefi.
Ezinma was the only one of nearly a dozen of Ekwefi's children that survived past early childhood. Ekwefi treasures her deeply. Ezinma shares her mother's beauty when she grows up, even sharing the same nickname, the "Crystal of Beauty." They enjoy trading stories and singing to each other.
As her mother, Ekwefi gives Ezinma numerous things to eat including:CassavaYam (pottage, mashed)Soup (bitter-leaf, egusi)BrothFishEggsFowl (Chicken?)Green VegetablesBeansLocustsBeancakes from ChieloGoatLeafs (possibly from green vegetables)
In Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart," it is Okonkwo who follows Chielo and Ezinma during their journey to the Oracle. Okonkwo is Ezinma's father and he accompanies them to the shrine to ensure Ezinma's safety.
While her mother Ekwefi initially pampers Ezinma, it could be said that Okonkwo treats her with greater respect than the rest of his children.
Ekwefi is Okonkwo's second wife in Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart." She angers Okonkwo by disobeying his orders not to participate in the wrestling match for her daughter, Ezinma. Despite his wishes, she ignores Okonkwo's command and attends the match, leading to a heated argument between them.
Okonkwo's second wife is Ekwefi, mother of Ezinma. Okonkwo originally wished to have Ekwefi as his first wife, but he could not afford the dowry at the time. Ekwefi ran away from her first husband to be with Okonkwo.
Okonkwo's daughter, Ezinma