Summary and ReviewThe concubine is a fictitious novel by Nigerian author Elechi Amadi. The novel was first published in 1966 after which the author published a number of other literary works; which include: The Great Ponds (1969), Sunset in Biafra (1973), The Slave (1978) and Estrangement (1986). It is, however, this novel (The Concubine) that remains the author’s crowning achievement.The book title (The concubine) is symbolic as its meaning is only revealed to the reader in the closing chapters of the novel. It becomes clear that ‘the concubine’ is none other than Ihuoma – the beautiful lady and main character in the novel.The concubine has its setting in rural Nigeria, as the author makes an effort to depict the African traditional Way of life in its totality; its religious, social, cultural and economic activities. A number of Nigerian rural villages are mentioned in the book, all of which aid in building the African authenticity in the novel.The storyline of the novel revolves around the main character- Ihuoma, a beautiful and attractive lady in her village.

• The Concubine Elechi Amadi Epub
• The Concubine Elechi Amadi Themes
• The Concubine By Elechi Amadi Youtube

She gains admiration by all and sundry, not only for Her beauty but how gracefully she conducts herself in her housekeeping duties. At the beginning of the novel, we get introduced to Ihuoma as Emenike’s wife.Emenike had succeeded to get Ihuoma’s hand in marriage after another young man – Madume, had failed to win Ihuoma’s acceptance. Madumes’ rejection by Ihuoma and her consequent marriage to Emenike causes a deep-seated hatred in Madume towards Emenike. Later on an argument over a piece of land results to a fight between Emenike and Madume. Emenike succumbs to wounds resulting from the fight and dies of ‘chest lock’.Madume suffers guilt for being responsible for the death of a Kinsman.

It is easy to associate Emenikes’ death to fate considering that he is a husband to Ihuoma and ‘protector of his home’.Madume views Emenike’s death as an opportunity to woo Ihuoma. She however refuses his advances, resulting in Madume harassing her. On a particular day, Madume tries to stop Ihuoma from harvesting crops on the piece of land that had caused an argument between him and Emenike. In the process a snake (cobra) spits into Madume’s eyes, resulting in blindness.At this point, it becomes clear that a power, higher than human strength is ‘watching over’ Ihuoma. Ekwueme is another young man, who tries to woo Ihuoma following Emenike’s death.

The Concubine Elechi Amadi Epub

Ihuoma tries to discourage Ekwueme, since she already has children and he is younger than she is. After tirelessly trying to win Ihuomas’ approval over and over, Ekwueme is unsuccessful and eventually marries Ahurole, who was betrothed to him from childhood. A marriage devoid of love towards Ahurole leaves Ekwueme ‘empty’ and ‘lonely’ and still attracted to Ihuoma. Ahurole feels distanced from her husband (Ekwueme) and decides to administer a love charm to him, as per her mothers’ advice. The ‘medicine’ has a negative effect on Ekwueme, who turns mentally unstable and desires being with Ihuoma even more.Meanwhile, Madume’s condition deteriorates. He becomes unable to cope with his predicament – blindness, and decides to end his life; which is an abomination in his community. On the other hand, Ekwueme recovers from his sickness after being granted the permission to marry Ihuoma.

Prior to the wedding, ‘divine inquiry’ is made, which reveals that Ihuoma – is a concubine to a ‘Sea King’. The divine being is behind the deaths of Ihuomas’ suitors – as a result of jealousy. Despite the revelation of impending misfortune, Ekwueme and Ihuoma consider it too late to reverse their relationship and opt to go ahead with their wedding preparations. During the wedding arrangements, Ekwueme is short by a stray arrow, shot by Ihuomas’ son during play.

Ekwueme succumbs to the arrow wound and dies. Ihuoma is left devastated and wishes for her own death. The novel ends with Ihuoma in a state of devastation. ThemesThe author has explored a number of themes in the novel, including; role of the supernatural on human lives. Supernatural forces are evidently seen to have an upper hand in human relationships and have control over the course that such relationships take. This is evidenced in the novel, where the ‘Sea King’ has a hold on Ihuomas’ life and eliminates all who try or succeed in winning her love. In line with the theme of the role of divinities in human lives, is the theme of superstition.

Superstitions were/are common in tradition African societies and seen in the novel when community members consult mediums before undertaking various quests.The theme of love is also explored in the novel. Emphasis is on the strength of love. Elechi Amadi depicts love posing a challenge to the supernatural forces surrounding Ihuomas’ life. Love is expressed through various suitors to Ihuoma, while the supernatural forces take the form of the ‘Sea King’. Ekwueme is certain of his fate if he marries Ihuoma, but goes on, driven by love. CharactersThere are a number of characters in the novel, including;Ihuoma; a lady, and the leading character in the novelEmenike; Ihuomas’ husband at the beginning of the novelMadume; One of the Ihuoma’s rejected suitors and husband to WoluEkwueme; A young man and suitor to IhuomaAhurole; A beautiful lady from Omigwe and wife to Ekwueme.

The Concubine Elechi Amadi Themes

↓. Manju KabbaA friend of mine informed me about the death of Elichi Amadi a day after his demise. Sorrow griped me devastatingly not because Elichi, one of Africa’s finest and perhaps the most prolific writer, is dead but because of the difficulty of having someone in our midst again like Elichi Amadi.

The production is good, the extraneous noise doesn't overshadow the tunes and it has a airy quality that I enjoy. I've listened to this disc in my car, on my computer, a discman and my home system. You'll not find a bad track.The songs are evenly split between instrumental and vocal tunes. Cuneiform picked it up and Kit Watkins remixed the majority of it in 1989 to end an eleven year wait for this music to see the light of day.

The Concubine By Elechi Amadi Youtube

Elichi lives on in his book The Concubine. His ability to portray an African culture within the perspective of Nigerian setting is magnificient and wholistic in his literary works. What a great lost. ↓. Manju KabbaA friend of mine informed me about the death of Elichi Amadi a day after his demise. Sorrow griped me devastatingly not because Elichi, one of Africa’s finest and perhaps the most prolific writer, is dead but because of the difficulty of having someone in our midst again like Elichi Amadi.

Elichi lives on in his book The Concubine. His ability to portray an African culture within the perspective of Nigerian setting is not only amazing but equally magnificient and wholistic in his literary works. What a great lost.

Image copyright Heinemann Image captionThe Concubine is read across AfricaRenowned Nigerian author Elechi Amadi has died of an undisclosed illness at the age of 82.He was most famous for The Concubine, which pictured the culture of marriage and forbidden traditions and was originally published in 1966.The Concubine has been a recommended text in schools across Africa.His other books include Sunset in Biafra, Peppersoup, The Slave and The Road to Ibadan.