Colonial rule means that power, initiative is taken away from you by somebody else who makes your decisions. If that goes on long enough, beyond one generation, then the habit of self-rule is forgotten. People are no longer able to realize what it means. To be dependant for a hundred years! And suddenly when this thing ends there is nobody who actually knows how to set about running the country.
Chinua AchebeI think once you have done all you can to a manuscript, let it find its way in the world.
Chinua AchebeIt is not quite true to say that I am not an advocate of writing in African languages. What I think is, one has to think about what is practicable.
Chinua AchebeThe world is large,โ said Okonkwo. โI have even heard that in some tribes a manโs children belong to his wife and her family.โ โThat cannot be,โ said Machi. โYou might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the babies.
Chinua AchebeIn America there is really very little knowledge of the literature of the rest of the world. Of the literature of Latin America, yes, But that's not all that different in inspiration from that of America, or of Europe. One must go further. You don't even have to go too far in terms of geography - you can start with the Native Americans and listen to their poetry.
Chinua Achebe