The novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe presents a powerful depiction of traditional Igbo society before and during European colonial expansion in West Africa. While the novel is frequently studied for its cultural and political themes, its economic dimension is equally important. This research paper explores the economic structure of Igbo society and examines how colonial intervention transforms that system. Through textual analysis, the study investigates agricultural production, communal labor, trade networks, and the economic roles within the Igbo community. The research argues that the traditional agrarian economy of Umuofia functions as a stable system that supports social hierarchy and cultural traditions. However, the arrival of colonial institutions gradually disrupts these structures and contributes to the fragmentation of Igbo society.
Kachamdai Gangmei (Thu,) studied this question.