Africana-womanism and the sexist paradox in Emeka Nwabueze's The Dragon's Funeral

Abstract

In Nigeria, women lose certain legal rights during matrimony. The Feminist movement has challenged the established perception of women's rights and skills. Nwabueze's The Dragon's Funeral, which examines the remote factors that triggered the Aba women's riot, sounds Africana-womanist largely because it adopts a moderate approach in reviewing the relationship between men and women in a male dominated society. Africana-womanism, isolates the black peculiarity of the female subject, and connects her philosophy to her unique cultural background. This approach which has elements of Jungian archetype references the mythological identity of the female gender as a potter's wheel that molds the Africana woman's temperament and philosophy and interrogates the socially accepted idea of womanhood. Nwabueze's Africanawomanist disposition analyses the factors that cause gender friction and violence and focuses on family values. A noticed attitude in Nwabueze's The Dragon's Funeral is its contradictory textual sarcasm while appearing to edify the female characters. Nwabueze tactfully examines the right attitude African women should adopt in a patriarchal family unit, recommending total submissiveness for women using the character of Ikodie to teach women obeisance to natural and religious laws and acceptance of male authority and dominance. This stereotypical attitude adopts sexist dimensions and further reduces the woman's servitude state. The playwright suggests that women rebellion largely occurs in the absence of effective male leadership.