Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
Elechi Amadi’s iconic literary work ‘the Concubine’ is 55 years old.
The Concubine tells a story of a beautiful, virtuous woman, Ihuoma, who unwittingly brings death and destruction to all men who desire her.
The book was celebrated by Authors, Writers, Poets, and Nigeria Literary Society during an event in Port Harcourt.
The organizer of the programme and the Curator of Nigeria Literary Society, NLS, David Chukwueke said the event was put together to learn more about the novel ‘the Concubine’.
David Chukwueke said the event aimed at getting to know more about the author Elechi Amadi and his literary works.
”The Concubine is the oldest of all his works. After the Concubine, we have the Great Pond, the Slavery, the Calabar Woman, the Pepper Soup, and others. So we decided that since the Concubine is the first book, we need to celebrate it we need, we need to honour it, we need to take a reminisce of the book, knowing more about the book. So many of us read it 10 years ago, 20 years ago. So, as a way of encouraging a reading society, we don’t need to throw away old books, we need to bring them back. We need to read them” he said.
The Curator of Nigeria Literary Society, NLS, David Chukwueke, also hinted that the celebration of the book will now be done annually.
Who is Elechi Amadi?
Elechi Amadi was born on May 12th in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, in Rivers State, Nigeria.
A former member of the Nigerian Armed Forces,he was an author of plays and novels that are generally about African village life, customs, beliefs, and religious practices prior to contact with the Western world.
He died on 29th June 2016.
Speaking during the event, a Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Chidi Maduka described the Concubine as a classic.
Prof Chidi Maduka said the Concubine was an outstanding literary work because of its simplicity.
”Elechi Amadi’s ‘the Concubine’ is a classic. It respects the canon of literary criticism in Africa and beyond. That is why it is remembered. One thing about the book is that Elechi Amadi uses the right word in the right place. He’s a flora artist. In the book itself, it gives validity to the integrity of African traditional Culture. That’s the strength of the book” he said.
The wife of Elechi Amachi, Prof Iyalla Amadi while commending the Nigeria Literary Society NLS, Authors and writers who graced the event said the book portrayed African culture and identity before the arrival of the Europeans.
She said the book, ‘the Concubine’ will forever remain an outstanding literary work.
The book ‘the Concubine’ has been translated into 15 languages with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide.
Our correspondent also reports that Elechi Amadi’s Daughter, Ikechi Amadi celebrated her birthday during the event.
The event was attended by writers, authors, academias and literary enthusiasts in Rivers State.
