Proverbs Fall Apart

Proverbs Fall Apart Proverbs Fall Apart Proverbs were a very important part of the Ibo culture. Wisdom and advice is held within the short, yet meaningful phrases. The proverbs stood as a microcosm for the their culture and their views on life. But as the white men came into Umuofia, they shook the Ibo until their culture fell apart. Life as they knew it disappeared and many of the Ibo proverbs no longer held true.The Ibo said that "the sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them"‚  (8). Here, Unoka was speaking about his debts. He is saying that he will repay his debts in order from greatest to least amount of value; those who loaned Unoka more will have their debts paid off first. It also shows in the Ibo culture that those who are greater will get more glory or recognition than those who follow in their shadows.English: Scroll of the Book of Proverbs