Christmas in Biafra (1969) by Chinua Achebe

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The Poem

This sunken-eyed moment wobbling down the rocky steepness on broken bones slowly fearfully to hideous concourse of gathering sorrows in the valley will yet become in another year a lost Christmas irretrievable in the heights its exploding inferno transmuted by cosmic distances to the peacefulness of a cool twinkling star.... To death-cells of that moment came faraway sounds of other men's carols floating on crackling waves mocking us. With regret? Hope? Longing? None of these, strangely not even despair rather distilling pure transcendental hate ...

Beyond the hospital gate

the good nuns had set up a manger of palms to house a fine plastercast scene at Bethlehem. The Holy Family was central, serene, the Child Jesus plump wise-looking and rose-cheeked; one of the magi in keeping with legend a black Othello in sumptuous robes. Other figures of men and angels stood at well-appointed distances from the heart of the divine miracle and the usual cattle gazed on in holy wonder....

Poorer than the poor worshippers before her who had paid their homage with pitiful offering of new aluminium coins that few traders would take and a frayed five-shilling note she only crossed herself and prayed open- eyed. Her infant son flat like a dead lizard on her shoulder his arms and legs cauterized by famine was a miracle of its kind. Large sunken eyes stricken past boredom to a flat unrecognizing glueyness moped faraway motionless across her shoulder....

Now her adoration over

she turned him around and pointed at those pretty figures of God and angels and men and beasts- a spectacle to stir the heart of a child. But all he vouchsafed was one slow deadpan look of total unrecognition and he began again to swivel his enormous head away to mope as before at his empty distance....

She shrugged her shoulders, crossed herself again, and took him away.

General Introduction

"Christmas in Biafra (1969)" by Chinua Achebe reflects on the tragic circumstances of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), particularly the Christmas of 1969, in the secessionist state of Biafra. Achebe uses vivid imagery and poignant language to convey the harsh realities faced by the people during the war.

Title

The title, "Christmas in Biafra (1969)," immediately sets the context and time frame of the poem, focusing on the Christmas of 1969 in the region of Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War. This title suggests a juxtaposition of the festive season with the grim realities of war and suffering.

Themes

1. Suffering and Despair:

The poem vividly portrays the suffering and despair experienced by the people of Biafra during the civil war. Lines such as "sunken-eyed moment," "broken bones," and "gathering sorrows" highlight the physical and emotional toll of the conflict.

2. Resilience and Hope:

Despite the bleak circumstances, the poem hints at a sense of resilience and hope. The mention of the Christmas season, traditionally a time of joy and celebration, juxtaposed with the harsh realities of war, suggests a belief in the possibility of a better future.

3. Faith and Religion:

Religious imagery is prevalent throughout the poem, with references to the manger scene, the Holy Family, and prayers. This theme underscores the importance of faith and religion as sources of comfort and strength in times of adversity.

4. Innocence and Childhood:

The poem contrasts the innocence and wonder of childhood with the harshness of war. The description of the Child Jesus as "plump wise-looking and rose-cheeked" and the contrast with the emaciated infant highlight the loss of innocence and normalcy experienced by the children of Biafra.

5. Irony and Contrast:

There is a strong sense of irony and contrast in the poem, particularly in the description of the manger scene set up by the nuns juxtaposed with the grim reality of famine and suffering outside the hospital gate. This irony serves to highlight the stark disparities and contradictions of the war-torn landscape.

Literary Devices

1. Imagery:

Achebe uses vivid imagery to evoke the horrors of war and the stark contrast between the manger scene and the reality outside. For example, "sunken-eyed moment," "broken bones," and "plastercast scene at Bethlehem" create powerful visual images that underscore the themes of suffering and despair.

2. Symbolism:

The manger scene and the figures within it symbolize the religious and cultural traditions that provide solace and meaning in the midst of turmoil. The contrast between the serene Holy Family and the suffering of the people outside symbolizes the juxtaposition of hope and despair.

3. Irony:

The poem is rich in irony, particularly in its portrayal of the manger scene as a symbol of peace and salvation, set against the backdrop of war and suffering. This irony serves to highlight the absurdity and tragedy of the situation.

4. Allusion:

The reference to Othello as one of the magi is an allusion to Shakespeare's play, adding a layer of cultural and literary depth to the poem. This allusion serves to enhance the reader's understanding of the characters and themes.

5. Contrast:

The poem is full of contrasts, such as the contrast between the plump, wise-looking Child Jesus and the emaciated infant, or between the peaceful manger scene and the chaotic reality outside. These contrasts serve to highlight the stark disparities and contradictions of war.

6. Repetition:

The repetition of the phrase "sunken-eyed moment" emphasizes the pervasive nature of suffering and despair in the poem, creating a sense of bleakness and hopelessness.

Language and Mood:

The language of the poem is evocative and emotive, conveying a mood of sadness, despair, and resignation. Words like "wobbling," "fearfully," "hideous concourse," and "distilling pure transcendental hate" create a sense of the harshness and brutality of war. The use of religious imagery and symbolism adds a layer of solemnity and reverence to the poem.

Context

The poem is set against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War, specifically the secessionist state of Biafra, which sought independence from Nigeria. The war, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, resulted in widespread famine and suffering, particularly among the civilian population of Biafra. Achebe, who was of Igbo descent and a supporter of Biafra, wrote the poem to draw attention to the plight of the Biafran people during the war.

Conclusion

"Christmas in Biafra (1969)" by Chinua Achebe is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of suffering, resilience, faith, and irony in the context of the Nigerian Civil War. Through vivid imagery, symbolism, and language, Achebe creates a vivid portrait of the impact of war on the people of Biafra, highlighting the contrasts between hope and despair, innocence and experience, and tradition and reality.