II. Major and Minor Characters in Alobwed’Epie’s The Lady with a Beard
A. Major Characters
Emade: Emade serves as the protagonist or main character, as most of the events in the novel revolve around her. She is nicknamed “The Lady with a Beard” because she defies many of the patriarchal norms that govern the Bakossi community. Alobwed’Epie portrays her as an exceptional and courageous woman who challenges the traditional roles assigned to women. For instance, she is seen digging the grave of her sister, Méchane, playing a traditional drum, and singing ritual songs during the funeral. These are traditionally considered tasks reserved for men in the Bakossi community. Her actions therefore challenge established social and cultural expectations and become a source of conflict, leading to the many problems she faces within the Atieg community and beyond. Although she is eventually rendered vulnerable, Emade remains a significant character through whom the author explores issues of gender roles, tradition, patriarchy, identity, and social expectations.
Ntube: Ntube is Emade’s daughter and represents many of the fears and anxieties that envelop her mother. She suffers greatly as a result of her mother’s non-conformist attitude and the consequences it brings upon the family. Ntube is respectful and obedient, as she does not openly defy her mother’s instructions, even when she does not agree with them. This is glaring in chapter 8 page 56 “… She then set off with a broken heart”. This is evident during her aunt’s burial, when her mother insists that she return to her godmother’s house despite her unwillingness to do so. Through Ntube, the author also portrays the impact that a parent’s actions and social conflicts can have on a child.
Ahone: She is Emade’s sister and through her actions we see that she is an example of what a typical bakossi woman has to be. Through her wisdom she manages to bridge the non compliance attitude of her sister and the Muabag women especially with the grave been dug at the middle of the compound. She keeps her family’s integrity intact as she didn’t contradict her sister in the open though she wasn’t aware of Emade’s plan for their sister to be buried in the middle of her compound. She says…” Have you begun digging the grave?” She asked as if it were prearranged” chapter 6 page 42.
Mechane: Méchane is Emade’s half-sister. Although she does not appear actively in the events of the novel, she plays a vital role in the development of the plot. Her choice of a son-in-law, which Emade strongly disapproves of, greatly influences the way she is buried. It is also during Méchane’s funeral that some of Emade’s most prominent non-conformist character traits are revealed. Through the events surrounding her burial, the author further exposes the conflict between Emade’s actions and the traditional norms of the Bakossi community.
N.B.: It is worth noting that a character does not have to be physically present from the beginning to the end of a novel to be considered prominent. A character may be relatively passive or absent from many events and still have a significant influence on the development of the plot. Méchane is a good example, as although she is almost passive in the novel, her choices and circumstances greatly influence major events in the storyline.
B. Minor Characters
Ewang Ename: Ewang Ename is Emade’s son. Although he does not appear frequently in the events of the plot, he contributes to the development of certain important events. He is not particularly committed to his family, as shown by his reaction when he heard that his mother’s kitchen had caught fire. Instead of rushing to check on his mother and the rest of the family, he waited until the following day to visit them, which greatly disappointed Emade.
However, Ewang Ename also demonstrates his willingness to support his family on certain occasions. He provides the boar for Mechane’s chindu and plays an important role in the preparations for Ntube’s wedding. Through these actions, he contributes to important family and communal events, even though his presence in the general development of the plot is limited.
Wobe: Though Wobe is an offspring of the Muabag community, she is largely ignorant of the cultures and traditions of her people. This is evident when her husband blames her for failing to inform him about the importance and demanding nature of the traditional rites that follow a burial.
Her obedient and submissive nature is also evident in the way she allows her aunties to take major decisions concerning her mother’s burial. Through their intervention, they ensure that her mother receives a befitting burial in accordance with the customs and traditions of the community.
Wobe’s marriage to an outsider also highlights an important aspect of the Bakossi tradition concerning lineage. Since she married outside her community, her father’s lineage is considered lost. This is symbolically demonstrated after Emade blackens the grave for one month, after which the house is closed and the key is thrown away. This suggests that Wobe’s mother’s death marks the end of her connection with her father’s lineage and further illustrates the importance attached to ancestry and lineage in Bakossi society.
The Atieg Women Community: The Atieg women are a group of women who ostracise Emade because of her non-conformist behaviour and refusal to abide by certain societal expectations. Although their concerns may partly reflect the community’s desire to preserve its customs and values, their persistent and sometimes exaggerated attitude towards Emade contributes to her decision to go into exile. Their treatment of her makes her feel rejected and unsafe within her own community. Eventually, this sense of alienation contributes to her reconciliation with Christ, suggesting that her experiences with the Atieg women play an important role in her personal and spiritual transformation.
The Muabag Women: The Muabag women are portrayed as lacking compassion and solidarity towards women in times of suffering. This is evident when they abandon Mechane at her deathbed, leaving her to face her final moments alone. They similarly leave Emade behind when she remains in the community to blacken her late sister’s grave. Their apparent lack of concern causes Emade to describe them as women who are “at the service of their throats,” suggesting that they are more concerned with satisfying their own appetites and interests than with supporting others in times of need. Through their portrayal, the novel criticises the absence of female solidarity and compassion within the community.
The Chief and Councillors: They are a chauvinistic group of men who believe in the inferiority of women. This explains why, instead of praising and encouraging Emade for her strength in digging a grave and her expertise in playing the drum, they belittle her achievements. Their attitude further fuels Emade’s rebellious nature and strengthens her determination to challenge the expectations and norms imposed on women in her community.
Mr Okorie: He embodies the typical African man who strives to maintain his pride and dignity by assisting his wife in giving his mother-in-law a well-deserved burial. Despite his efforts, he receives praises from everyone except Emade, whose main concern is the fact that he is an outsider. Although her fears are understandable, her attitude makes her appear tribalistic, as she criticises and fails to appreciate the efforts of her brother-in-law. Mr Okorie therefore stands out as a responsible and supportive man who goes beyond tribal boundaries to fulfil his duties towards his wife’s family.