What roles do illness and dibias play in the novel?
Dibias are an integral part of the African community. They are sought for advice on illness and their response is not only science-based but spiritually-based as well. The ability of dibias in the novel ranges from preparing herbs, receiving and relaying prophecies, and giving spiritual advice. When Efuru struggled to conceive, she and Adizua visited a dibia and he instructed her to make certain sacrifices to the ancestors every week. She follows the instructions of the dibia and becomes pregnant. When they returned to thank the dibia, he spiritually perceives trouble in the future of their life, but he informs them that he will work to prevent it. However, he dies before he is able to relay the vision to Adizua and Efuru. The dibia also helps Efuru when she is seeking advice about dreams that she has. In the dream, Efuru follows a fish that dives to the bottom of a lake and she sees a beautiful woman combing her hair. The woman smiles at her and invites her in for kola. After Efuru refuses the kola, she follows the woman into her kitchen where she prepares big fish and then shows Efuru all her riches. Efuru leaves the woman’s house and she wakes up from the dream. The dibia informs Efuru that she has been chosen by Uhamiri, the goddess of the lake. Uhamiri wants Efuru to become one of her followers. This shows one of the dibia’s abilities which is to listen to dreams and explain them. The dibia is relied on greatly by the people in the village, in times of trouble which includes spiritual crises, physical illness, and other infirmities.
Dibias are an integral part of the African community. They are sought for advice on illness and their response is not only science-based but spiritually-based as well. The ability of dibias in the novel ranges from preparing herbs, receiving and relaying prophecies, and giving spiritual advice. When Efuru struggled to conceive, she and Adizua visited a dibia and he instructed her to make certain sacrifices to the ancestors every week. She follows the instructions of the dibia and becomes pregnant. When they returned to thank the dibia, he spiritually perceives trouble in the future of their life, but he informs them that he will work to prevent it. However, he dies before he is able to relay the vision to Adizua and Efuru. The dibia also helps Efuru when she is seeking advice about dreams that she has. In the dream, Efuru follows a fish that dives to the bottom of a lake and she sees a beautiful woman combing her hair. The woman smiles at her and invites her in for kola. After Efuru refuses the kola, she follows the woman into her kitchen where she prepares big fish and then shows Efuru all her riches. Efuru leaves the woman’s house and she wakes up from the dream. The dibia informs Efuru that she has been chosen by Uhamiri, the goddess of the lake. Uhamiri wants Efuru to become one of her followers. This shows one of the dibia’s abilities which is to listen to dreams and explain them. The dibia is relied on greatly by the people in the village, in times of trouble which includes spiritual crises, physical illness, and other infirmities.
Aaliyah Robinson, Spring 2021