The missionary first excited the villagers in Mbanta by emphasizing the promise of eternal life and salvation that Christianity offered. He shared compelling stories of hope and miracles associated with the Christian faith, which resonated with the villagers' existing beliefs and desires for spiritual fulfillment. Additionally, he engaged with the community, addressing their needs and concerns, which helped to build trust and interest in the new religion. This combination of spiritual appeal and practical engagement laid the groundwork for their enthusiasm towards Christianity.
The missionary goes to another village in Iguedo.
Mr. Kiaga was a Christian missionary who came to the village in "Things Fall Apart." He made the villagers laugh when he referred to their gods as "wooden dolls and false gods." This was seen as disrespectful and amusing to the villagers who held their gods in high regard.
The arrival of missionaries in Mbanta introduces new religious beliefs and values, challenging traditional customs and practices of the villagers. While some villagers embrace Christianity and find hope and community in the new faith, others resist, leading to tensions and divisions within the society. The missionaries’ presence also brings education and new social structures, further altering the fabric of village life. Overall, their arrival marks a significant cultural shift that impacts the villagers' identity and way of life.
The villagers in Mbanta direct the missionaries to build their church in the evil forest because they believe it is a place where evil spirits reside and they want to drive the missionaries away by making them feel unwelcome. It is a symbolic way for the villagers to resist the missionaries' influence and protect their traditional beliefs.
The villagers did not forcibly remove the Christians in Mbanta because they relied on their gods to do the work. Nwoye's conversion to Christianity cause him to be disinherited by Okonkwo. Other villagers' conversion to Christianity gave them higher positions of power and standing with the powerful Europeans. Because of this elevated power, if the villagers removed the Europeans' delegates, these villagers (hoping to restore their elevated power) would bring white men from other villages. This made it hard to attack the European power. Faith and the laws of the land prevented the Igbo from killing one of their own clansman even after converting to Christianity.
They had been outcasts, but the church accepts them.
When the missionaries arrive in the village of Mbanta, they introduce Christianity and begin to convert some villagers, including Nwoye, Okonkwo's son. Their presence challenges traditional Igbo beliefs and customs, creating tension within the community. The missionaries' message of hope and salvation contrasts sharply with the villagers' established ways, leading to conflicts that ultimately contribute to the disintegration of the social fabric of the village. This cultural clash sets the stage for significant changes and struggles within the community.
Nothing happens, so the villagers suspect that they have special powers. The Villagers expect the missionaries to die within 7 market weeks or 28 days. When the missionaries do not die, the villagers assume that the missionaries possess special powers, and thus gain more recruits.
The death of Ekoli who had claimed to kill the Giant Python stops the ostracizing of the Christians. After this death, the villagers believed that their gods were still fighting the battles for them.
The elders of Mbanta gave a portion of the Evil Forest to the missionaries to build their church in "Things Fall Apart". This land was deemed uninhabitable and cursed by the villagers, making it a suitable location for the missionaries.
By believing in their own dogma, they thought the white men would be killed by the gods for building their church on land in the Evil Forest. When this does not occur, instead of disbelieving parts of their own religion, they incorporate this incident into their lore, ascribing a power to the white man that they do not actually possess. This leads the church to gain followers, and also creates a foothold for the church with which to spread.
Mbanta is less war like. Umuofia is a proud tribe with many strong fighters. Mbanta is much more moderate, and especially respectful of the earth mother.Umuofia and Mbanta represent the fatherland and the motherland respectively to Okonkwo. Umuofia is a place where he places his ambitions and dreams, and Mbanta is where he runs to when things go disasterously wrong.