The “Mother” Archetype in Igbo Literature: Perspectives from African Womanism
Conference: ISA 22nd Annual International Conference (2025)
Presenter(s): Ebele Eucahria Okafor, Oluchi Eugenia Nebolisa
Tags: 2025 Nigeria University of Lagos Owerri Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Imo State Lagos Ebele Eucahria Okafor Oluchi Eugenia Nebolisa
Abstract
In Igbo society, motherhood has always been visualised as a sacred role for women, which all women are expected to embrace and imbibe as their ordained responsibility from God. Mother archetype entails giving birth, nurturing, raising children, home management, caregiving of the immediate and that of the extended family, while dealing with personal development and societal expectations. This has been a typical reflection of the role of motherhood in Igbo literature, especially the early Igbo literature, anything short of is derided. The study attempts to analyse the mother figure in some selected early and contemporary male and female-authored Igbo literature to investigate how the authors portray motherhood in their novels by employing Acholonu’s Motherism and Ezeigbo’s Snail-Sense Feminism. It further attempts to examine whether the contemporary Igbo literature subverts and redefines the mother figure in which women aver their individuality and withstand in an androcentric society. Analysis of the selected literature reveals motherhood as a lifelong commitment. In the family, women are gripped with the upbringing of their children and grandchildren as portrayed in the early Igbo literature. Consequently, the contemporary Igbo literature discloses women who are actively involved in nurturing, guiding and supporting their children while negotiating the complexities of life. Motherhood is a rewarding experience which should be encouraged, but it should not hinder women from achieving their potentials, rather to shape women, allowing them to grow, develop, and ultimately find fulfilment and joy in the end.
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