Under the Udala Trees

Ijeoma, our first-person narrator, describes her family home, flora, fauna, and seasons in Ojoto. Her life is uprooted by the civil war between Biafra and Nigeria in 1967.

On Sunday, June 23, 1968, Ijeoma’s family hears there will be a raid and doesn’t attend church. As her Papa Uzo listens to the radio, we learn about his history with the inherited radio-gramophone. Ijeoma recalls overhearing him listen to news stories of people being set on fire. Uzo hugs Ijeoma and reminds her he loves her.

Then, hearing bombers approaching, Ijeoma and her Mama head for the bunker, but Papa refuses to join them, remaining on the sofa. Mama calls after Uzo, but he remains motionless as they are bombed.

The narrative flashes back to a year prior to Ijeoma’s father’s death. Ijeoma prays in church after watching Chibundu play police with other boys outside on the church steps. Chibundu predicts the bombers will reach Ojoto. In response, Ijeoma asks God to be a “magician” (12) and make the war disappear.

After this flashback, the narrative returns to the day of Uzo’s death, to Mama and Ijeoma searching for him in the ruins of their camouflaged house.