Ochendo: An African Journal of Innovative Studies

This study examines the representation of motherhood, patriarchy, and female resilience in the Igbo novel Onodu Ugo Adighi Egbe Mma through the theoretical lens of African Womanism as articulated by Chikwenye Okonjo Ogunyemi. African Womanism emphasizes the centrality of family, motherhood, communal harmony, and the complementary relationship between men and women in African societies. Through textual analysis, the study explores how the novel portrays the social pressure surrounding childbearing, patriarchal constraints on women's voices and achievements, and the enduring resilience of female characters within the cultural structure of Igbo society. The characters of Amaka and Ngozi embody the tensions between societal expectations and women's agency. While Amaka's struggle with childlessness reveals the cultural value placed on motherhood, Ngozi's life illustrates the challenges faced by successful women in a patriarchal society that often views female excellence with suspicion. Despite these constraints, the narrative celebrates women's moral strength, communal commitment, and capacity for sacrifice. The study argues that the novel ultimately redefines female fulfilment by recognizing women's contributions to society beyond marriage and biological motherhood.

Open Full Text (PDF)