Ekwefi is bound by Igbo culture and respect for their gods, which mandates respecting a god's wishes. Further, the rest of the Igbo society is also bound by this.
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.
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.
It is not despite her fears that she follows Chielo, but because of them. Because Ezinma is an ogbanje, and additionally because Chielo took Ikemefuna from the family, Ekwefi fears that Ezinma will not be returned to the family and something will happen to her. Ezinma is her only child, and Ekwefi does not know what she would do if she lost her.
Chielo delivers the message that Ezinma must accompany her to see the Oracle of the Hills and Caves. The message indicates that Chielo is acting as the priestess of the Oracle and is taking Ezinma to fulfill a spiritual duty rather than for any harmful intention.
Ezinma is safely returned by Okonkwo and Ekwefi after they discover her hidden in the oracle caves, where she was taken by Chielo, the priestess of Agbala. Chielo brings Ezinma back to her parents unharmed, as it was all part of the oracle's plan to test Okonkwo's loyalty.
Okonkwo appears suddenly before dawn. He decides to wait with Ekwefi outside the Oracle's cave. Subtly, Okonkwo could be considered to be waiting for both Ekwefi and Ezinma, as he might consider it unmanly to wait for Ezinma, but would consider it manly to support Ekwefi as she waited for their daughter. Eventually both the priestess and Ezinma appear.
Chielo says that she must take Ezinma to see Agbala. She takes Ezinma around the 9 villages and then to the shrine cave for the Oracle of the Hills and Caves.
The Oracle of Agbala comes to take Ezinma. She is normally called Chielo.
Chielo takes Ezinma to see Agbala. She goes around the 9 villages, into the cave of the shrine of the Oracle of Hills and Caves, and then back to Ezinma's bed to sleep.
Ezinma returns to Okonkwo's compound with the help of her mother, Ekwefi, after she falls seriously ill. Ekwefi follows the Oracle's instructions for Ezinma's healing, which involve taking Ezinma to the shrine and administering special herbs. This treatment helps Ezinma recover and return home.
Chielo goes to Okonkwo's compound to bring Ezinma, her 'daughter' to speak with the goddess Agbala. The woman and girl end up traversing around the nine villages before ending up in the cave of the oracle.
Ekwefi recoils from Chielo because Chielo embodies the spirit of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and Caves. Agbala is a powerful and feared deity that commands respect and obedience from the villagers. Ekwefi, like others, is in awe of Agbala's spiritual and mystical presence.