Okonkwo struck the last blow to Ikemefuna because he did not want to seem weak or cowardly, even though Okonkwo likes Ikemefuna, and thinks of him as his adopted son.
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.
The taking of Ikemefuna to Umuofia from Mbaino was for restitution for the crime of Mbaino killing an Umuofian clanswoman. The taking of Ikemefuna to the outside the village is for the purpose of killing him. The taking of Ikemefuna to the river is so that he can help with the chores. The taking of Ikemefuna to village meetings was so that he could act as Okonkwo's eldest child, bringing Okonkwo's seat among other responsibilities.
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.
Not only did Ikemefuna come first with the biggest pot of water, but when Obigaeli lies about how she breaks her pot to her mother, and her brothers are about to tell the truth, Ikemefuna is able to silence them with a stern look.
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.
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.
It is ironic that Ikemefuna, who was taken in by Okonkwo's family and formed a close bond with him, ends up fearing Okonkwo the most. This shows the complex dynamics and contradictions within their relationship, as well as the unpredictable nature of human emotions.
The Oracle of Agbala pronounced that Ikemefuna must die.
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.
He is frightened and unsure of what is going to happen to him.
Nwoye and Ikemefuna treat each other like brothers. Nwoye looks up to Ikemefuna, who serves as a positive influence in his life. They form a close bond during Ikemefuna's time in Okonkwo's household.