Of Wives, Talismans and the Dead

Of Wives, Talismans and the Dead is a collection of short stories by influential author, I.N.C. Aniebo. Written originally in the 1960s, these tales explore superstition, Westernisation, and the rising tensions of an unequal society in post-independent Nigeria. ‘Now, dry your tears my child,‘ his father said gently. ‘I am going to drive him, away. He will not disturb you again. Dead men should not wander in the land of the living.‘ In the title story, ‘Of Wives, Talismans and the Dead‘, eleven-year-old Ibe worries about embarrassing himself in front of his father, finding time to play hide and seek with his friends, and, most importantly, his impending marriage with a young girl named Egeolu. Ibe‘s tender innocence is set against the gravity of death and marriage as I.N.C. Aniebo captures the enduring traditions of 1960s Nigeria from the perspective of a young boy. Throughout the collection, Aniebo masterfully weaves together tales of exploitation, cultural change, and the desire to challenge authority. Of Wives, Talismans and the Dead is an outstanding illustration of classic Nigerian literature. Edited by Willfried F. Feuser.