Chinua Achebe

He had already chosen the title of the book, after much thought: The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger.

In such a régime [the government of Chief Nanga in Nigeria], I say, you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murderer in the chest—without asking to be paid.

Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.