The Interplay of Religious and Political Power in Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God

Abstract

Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God explores the complex intersection of religious and political power in colonial Igbo society. Set in the early 20th century, the novel portrays a community at the crossroads of tradition and colonial influence. Ezeulu, the chief priest of Ulu, embodies religious authority in the village of Umuaro, holding significant sway over its spiritual and temporal life. However, his position is increasingly challenged by the encroaching British colonial administration, which seeks to impose its political structures and Christian religion on the indigenous people. The novel presents a tension between spiritual leadership rooted in indigenous beliefs and the political manipulation exerted by colonial authorities. Achebe skillfully illustrates how religion and politics were intertwined in precolonial society and how colonialism disrupted this balance by introducing competing systems of governance and belief. Ezeulu’s downfall symbolizes the broader breakdown of traditional structures under colonial pressure. His isolation reflects the community’s struggle to choose between ancestral religion and Christianity, between indigenous rule and colonial authority. This paper investigates how Achebe critiques both traditional rigidity and colonial imposition, revealing the devastating consequences of power struggles in a transitional society. By analyzing the themes of divine authority, colonial governance, and individual agency, this study highlights the novel’s deep engagement with the cultural and political transformations of its time.