PITA NWANA’S OMENUKO: A CLASSIC IGBO NOVEL PAR EXCELLENCE

Pita Nwana and his historic novel, Omenuko, are undoubtedly very significant in the discussion of Igbo Literature, in particular and indigenous African Literature, in general. Apart from the fact that Omenuko was the first meaningful novel to be published in the Igbo Language, the novel is also quite remarkable in many other aspects which accounts for the special class Omenuko occupies in comparison to other novels so far published in the Igbo Language. In spite of all these, it is unfortunate to note that there is at present a dearth of serious critical studies on the novel. This study is animated by the need to contribute to the critical exegesis of this great novel. In particular, it seeks to identify and highlight the unique features of this novel, as well as evaluate its impacts on the development of indigenous Igbo Literature and indeed Nigerian written literature. The study adopted the survey method for x-raying the subject matter of the novel from four major perspectives – the life and times of the author (Pita Nwana); the historical background of the novel; the unique features of the novel that qualify it as a literary classic; and finally, the novel’s contributions to the development of the Igbo novel. Our critical approach is thus biographical and exegetical. In conclusion, this study strongly argues that Rita Nwana’s Omenuko is sublime, historic and influential, and therefore, eminently qualifies as a classic Igbo novel par excellence.