Ikemefuna (pronounced Eek-eh-meh-foo-nah) is a boy from a neighbouring tribe that is given as tribute to Umuofia in order to prevent an oncoming war. Ikemefuna integrates into Okonkwo’s family and asserts himself as an older brother figure to Nwoye. Ikemefuna quickly garners Okonkwo’s approval for being eager to work and please and this is recip- rocated in Ikemefuna calling Okonkwo ‘father.’ Despite this, the village commands his death three years after he arrived at Umuofia, and Okonkwo takes part in his killing as not to ap- pear weak or unwilling to spill blood. Achebe uses Ikemefuna as a symbol to the cause of Umuofia’s eventual downfall. His death is really the death of a fellow clansman, and commit- ting this grave sin represents the breaking down of kinship which is structurally foundational to tribal culture. This is later exploited by colonialists in the book.
