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Tells of the ruinous feud between two villages in Eastern Nigeria. By the author of The Concubine and Estrangement.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1970
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About the author
Elechi Amadi
14 books87 followersElechi Amadi was born in Aluu (near Port Harcourt), in the Delta region of Eastern Nigeria, into an Ibo family, representing a minority nation (tribe), the Ikwere. He studied at the Government College in Umuahia, and like other major Nigerian writers, he was educated at the University College of Ibadan. Its legendary English department and the student magazine The Horn encouraged a number of aspiring writers, including Wole Soyinka (b. 1934), Christopher Okigbo (1932-67), John Pepper Clark (b. 1935), and Cole Omotso. Amadi, however, studied natural sciences. His native language was Ekwerri but he published his writings in English. In 1957 he married Dorah Ohale; they had eight children.
Amadi received his B. Sc. in physics and mathematic in 1959. He worked in 1959-60 as a landsurveyor in Enugu and then as a science teacher in Protestant mission schools in Oba and Ahoada. In 1963 Amadi joined the Federal army with the rank of captain. He was assigned to teach at the military school in Zaria. After resigning, he worked as a teacher at the Anglican Grammar School in Port Harcourt. During the Nigerian civil war (1966-1970) Amadi was twice arrested and detained by the Biafran government - a former officer of the Nigerian army was politically a doubtful person. He joined the Federal army again and with the war's end Amadi worked for the government of the newly constituted Rivers State, later becoming head of the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Education. From 1984 to 1987 he was writer-in-residence and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at College of Education in Port Harcour. In 1989-90 he served as Commissioner of Lands and Housing. Amadi was awarded in 1973 the International Writers Program grant, and in 1992 he received the Rivers State Silver Jubilee Merit award. In 2007, at the age of 74.
Amadi received his B. Sc. in physics and mathematic in 1959. He worked in 1959-60 as a landsurveyor in Enugu and then as a science teacher in Protestant mission schools in Oba and Ahoada. In 1963 Amadi joined the Federal army with the rank of captain. He was assigned to teach at the military school in Zaria. After resigning, he worked as a teacher at the Anglican Grammar School in Port Harcourt. During the Nigerian civil war (1966-1970) Amadi was twice arrested and detained by the Biafran government - a former officer of the Nigerian army was politically a doubtful person. He joined the Federal army again and with the war's end Amadi worked for the government of the newly constituted Rivers State, later becoming head of the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Education. From 1984 to 1987 he was writer-in-residence and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at College of Education in Port Harcour. In 1989-90 he served as Commissioner of Lands and Housing. Amadi was awarded in 1973 the International Writers Program grant, and in 1992 he received the Rivers State Silver Jubilee Merit award. In 2007, at the age of 74.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 14, 2016
what you are going to read is my analysis about the book during my afro asian literature class.
The Great Ponds focuses its attention on intertribal warfare. The novel by Elechi Amadi is a recreation of a seemingly simple domestic conflict between two villages that later snowballs into a war of attrition.
With the Great Ponds, Amadi delivers a brilliant piece of story-telling while also addressing the painful effects of war on its main victims, the local population. The fear and injustices that result are an important reminder that there are always innocent victims in every war, a message that is as relevant today as it was for the people of Chiolu and Aliakoru. The story set in Eastern Nigeria.
Olumba of Chiolu and Wago the leopard-killer of Aliakoro dramatize in The Great Ponds the pride of the warrior temperament and the lengths to which it can go. In which both of them behave as though not only the progress of the war but also the welfare of their own villages depends on their personal efforts.
Olumba, the principal warrior of the Chiolu village. Short but muscular middle-aged man, he is respected widely as a brilliant strategist in warfare and is equally respected for his skills with the knife and bow. His suggestions on battle tactics and views on negotiation about peace are often followed by the chief and other elders of the Chiolu village. He always spends much of his time at home in ritual meditation. He also possesses vast collection of different charms and amulets that he believed it gives him power and protection during battle. His manner before he swear an oath to the gods reflects dignity and an even-tempered judgment, but later on change with anger and despair.
Wago the Leopard-Killer, the principal warrior of Aliakoro village. Rival of Olumba. Skilled hunter known for his three leopatd skin. Brave and strong but sometimes aggressive that he is outwitted strategically in battle. Wago shows little respect for the elders of his own village and even less for his enemy. He is has excellent skill in terms of stalking and capable of intense concentration on his prey. He shows little respect for the gods. Commits suicide by drowning himself at pond of Wagaba.
In the story the people there believe different gods. Gods like Amadioha, god of skies. Ali, god of the earth. Ogbunali, god of death and night. Ojukwu, god of justice and fairness.
In Chiolu village, Eze Diali is the tribal leader he have a young daughter named Chisa which is the love interes of Ikechi who is a young warrior. Just like Eze Diali the tribe has also another two elder in the presence of Wezume and Chituru. They also have Achichi, a dibia or spiritual leader. Olumba has three wives. Nyoma being the first wife, Wogari the second wife and Oda the third wife. Olumba also have Nchelem as his son and Adada his daughter.
Just like in Chiolu village, Aliakoro villa they also have Eze Okehi as their tribal leader. Igwu as their dibia and spiritual leader. Just like Wago, Okasi is also a warrior in Aliakoro tribe. In Isiali tribe there is Elendu a warrior and in Abbii, Anwuanwu is the dibia and spiritual leader.
The Great Ponds describes two communities, Aliakoro and Chiolu, at war to resolve the question of ownership of the fishing Pond of Wagaba. Okehi, the Eze of Aliakoro, alleges that his grandfather told him that the people of Aliakoro are the true owners while Diali, the Eze of Chiolu, the current owners, believes that the ponds are duly theirs. What starts off as a collision of egos results in large-scale destruction of life and property.
Elechi Amadi’s representation in The Great Ponds underscoring opposition to situations, evident in characters’ refusal to comply with set system, ideology, norms and practices. Amadi’s world in The Great Ponds is built against Judeo-Christian theology juxtaposing the traditional religious practices.
The Great Ponds is a representation of delineation of contradictory situations individuals find themselves in as they judge masculinity and resistance.
The Great Ponds focuses its attention on intertribal warfare. The novel by Elechi Amadi is a recreation of a seemingly simple domestic conflict between two villages that later snowballs into a war of attrition.
With the Great Ponds, Amadi delivers a brilliant piece of story-telling while also addressing the painful effects of war on its main victims, the local population. The fear and injustices that result are an important reminder that there are always innocent victims in every war, a message that is as relevant today as it was for the people of Chiolu and Aliakoru. The story set in Eastern Nigeria.
Olumba of Chiolu and Wago the leopard-killer of Aliakoro dramatize in The Great Ponds the pride of the warrior temperament and the lengths to which it can go. In which both of them behave as though not only the progress of the war but also the welfare of their own villages depends on their personal efforts.
Olumba, the principal warrior of the Chiolu village. Short but muscular middle-aged man, he is respected widely as a brilliant strategist in warfare and is equally respected for his skills with the knife and bow. His suggestions on battle tactics and views on negotiation about peace are often followed by the chief and other elders of the Chiolu village. He always spends much of his time at home in ritual meditation. He also possesses vast collection of different charms and amulets that he believed it gives him power and protection during battle. His manner before he swear an oath to the gods reflects dignity and an even-tempered judgment, but later on change with anger and despair.
Wago the Leopard-Killer, the principal warrior of Aliakoro village. Rival of Olumba. Skilled hunter known for his three leopatd skin. Brave and strong but sometimes aggressive that he is outwitted strategically in battle. Wago shows little respect for the elders of his own village and even less for his enemy. He is has excellent skill in terms of stalking and capable of intense concentration on his prey. He shows little respect for the gods. Commits suicide by drowning himself at pond of Wagaba.
In the story the people there believe different gods. Gods like Amadioha, god of skies. Ali, god of the earth. Ogbunali, god of death and night. Ojukwu, god of justice and fairness.
In Chiolu village, Eze Diali is the tribal leader he have a young daughter named Chisa which is the love interes of Ikechi who is a young warrior. Just like Eze Diali the tribe has also another two elder in the presence of Wezume and Chituru. They also have Achichi, a dibia or spiritual leader. Olumba has three wives. Nyoma being the first wife, Wogari the second wife and Oda the third wife. Olumba also have Nchelem as his son and Adada his daughter.
Just like in Chiolu village, Aliakoro villa they also have Eze Okehi as their tribal leader. Igwu as their dibia and spiritual leader. Just like Wago, Okasi is also a warrior in Aliakoro tribe. In Isiali tribe there is Elendu a warrior and in Abbii, Anwuanwu is the dibia and spiritual leader.
The Great Ponds describes two communities, Aliakoro and Chiolu, at war to resolve the question of ownership of the fishing Pond of Wagaba. Okehi, the Eze of Aliakoro, alleges that his grandfather told him that the people of Aliakoro are the true owners while Diali, the Eze of Chiolu, the current owners, believes that the ponds are duly theirs. What starts off as a collision of egos results in large-scale destruction of life and property.
Elechi Amadi’s representation in The Great Ponds underscoring opposition to situations, evident in characters’ refusal to comply with set system, ideology, norms and practices. Amadi’s world in The Great Ponds is built against Judeo-Christian theology juxtaposing the traditional religious practices.
The Great Ponds is a representation of delineation of contradictory situations individuals find themselves in as they judge masculinity and resistance.
December 21, 2021
"I would rather face a whole village in battle than have the weakest of the gods after me." (p. 9)
Yet another haunting and well crafted novel from Amadi. I would probably put this one just a tick behind the other two of the 'trilogy' but it is still a great book. Amadi seems to be asking an important question: who is madder...the gods or men?
Yet another haunting and well crafted novel from Amadi. I would probably put this one just a tick behind the other two of the 'trilogy' but it is still a great book. Amadi seems to be asking an important question: who is madder...the gods or men?
March 2, 2020
Výborne napísaný príbeh konfliktu dvoch dedín v Nigérií o to, kto má právo loviť ryby v rybníku. Román svojim štýlom i detailným vyobrazením života a tradícií ľudí nepoznačených vonkajším svetom (dej románu sa odohráva vo východnej Nigérií v roku 1918) pripmonína diela literárneho velikána Chinua Achebeho. Časovo i kultúrne síce vzdialené, no psychológia postáv nápadne pripomína človeka dneška. Spôsob akým konflikt eskaluje, spôsob akým dedinčania rozhodujú, miera nedorozumení, a staroveké hoaxy. Má to všetko okrem internetu :)
August 12, 2018
A beautifully written story about tribes at war. At first the battles are very dazzling, full of vitality and deeds of honor. But once the curse is set, it is as if the Gods withdraw, the armies deteriorate into a pathetic state, and everyday life in the villages becomes nightmarish. It's funny that such an emotionally vibrant book ends in such misery! All the scenes, so well described, of cozy hospitality and playful teen romance are sucked into the night. But in between all the excitements of the first arc, there are plenty of portents to be found. Really tightly told.
June 16, 2015
Great story. Feels unsurprisingly a lot like Things Fall Apart or Arrow of God in its characters, setting, storytelling -- but also reminds me of Njal's Saga, Red Harvest, any number of Leone or Kurosawa or others' films about feuds that ruin everybody.
September 3, 2024
A beautiful, haunting tragedy. I’m thankful to have been given a glimpse into a different world, a culture that is so foreign to what I am familiar with.
As a western reader, I find tension in wondering whether the divination and connection to the gods is intended to be read as real or a fantastic reflection on what the people are experiencing - but that is not what the plot pushes us to see. Instead, we are forced to confront the horrors of animosity and hate, even in the presence of honor and pride amongst the tribes in the novel.
As a western reader, I find tension in wondering whether the divination and connection to the gods is intended to be read as real or a fantastic reflection on what the people are experiencing - but that is not what the plot pushes us to see. Instead, we are forced to confront the horrors of animosity and hate, even in the presence of honor and pride amongst the tribes in the novel.
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December 22, 2019Excellent piece of writing displayed by Amadi. Readers couldn't help but get immersed in the settings of the story and the vivid description of skin gripping actions. This is an African masterpiece with a global touch.
September 16, 2019
That ending! I didn't see it coming! Masterfully written mehn.... Masterfully written!
December 19, 2020
A bit surprised at the ending actually :)
February 1, 2022
This was a very touching book. It tells a story of how two villages warred with one another over a fishing pond. It is full of suspense and intrigue.
August 19, 2022
very nice
January 8, 2023
Best writer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2023
The suspense in the superstition were a bit too much for me. I couldn't wait to get to the end of it all.
March 8, 2024
Was an amazing read, funny enough read it in 2020 the dreaded covid year.
It was really good.
It was really good.
June 4, 2025
Seguramente es por la edicion que lei pero es el libro mas pedorro q lei en mi vida despues de dulces otoñales.
March 17, 2023
An anatomical exploration of the interactions of human societies, the extent to which desperation drives men to self destruction, the disregard for homegeneity in the pursuit of self interest, the desperation of man to survive, the battle of men against their own ignorance disguised as gods and how it ultimately leads to their downfall.
This is my third read and everytime I am as stunned as I was after my first read, the story builds up to a crescendo and it seems to lead in a specific direction initially then on the last two pages everything goes to shit and the full picture comes into view
This is my third read and everytime I am as stunned as I was after my first read, the story builds up to a crescendo and it seems to lead in a specific direction initially then on the last two pages everything goes to shit and the full picture comes into view
October 14, 2011
! It is a nice book that captures how Africans are fighting for the God given resources it portrays how life is in the continent of Africa .-it is a good read
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August 16, 2014A parable about knowledge and belief for all people
August 25, 2015
Best tribal story
December 10, 2015
Great Book
April 1, 2017
Amadi has captured and articulated perfectly the current happenings in LAIKIPIA ,KENYA at the moment just like the fight between the communities for the lake..theres an ongoing battle between the wealthy ranchers backed by the corrupt kenyan political class versurs the pastoralist communities driven to marginal lands
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews