Chapter Ten Flashcards
Who are the two groups who stand facing the elders at the ceremonial trial, and why are they there?
The two groups standing facing the elders at the ceremonial trial are the family of the murdered
woman from Umuofia and the family of the man from Mbaino who killed her. They are present
to settle the matter of the murder and seek justice according to the customs of the Igbo society.
The trial is part of the justice system within the community, aiming to resolve conflicts and
maintain social order. The families of both the victim and the perpetrator present their cases,
and the elders deliberate to reach a fair and culturally acceptable resolution to bring about
reconciliation between the two villages.
What is the final decision of the egwugwu?
The final decision of the egwugwu during the ceremonial trial is to demand compensation from
the village of Mbaino in the form of a virgin girl and a teenage boy. This customary restitution is
specified as part of the resolution to the conflict arising from the murder, adhering to the
traditional practices and beliefs of the Igbo society.
