Simile to Show the Abudance of Food in a Ceremony
The simile, '' Ogili is heaped like a huge anthill'' has been use by the author to explain to the reader how much food was consumed in the ceremony of giving an Ekwe title. The food was so abundant that every person would eat more than their fill; the food was pounded and piled on a huge pole hence the likening to a huge anthill.
Simile to Show the Signs to Possess the the Ekwe Title
The simile, "The signs of possession of the Ekwe title were well known. It was like possessing green fingers or hands of gold.'' These signs include being very hardworking and industrious and as such cannot be hidden from the society. Once a messenger sees them, he reports to the goddess who accepts the woman and she is given the title. These signs included being a successful farmer.
Metaphor on the Meaning of Names
The metaphor, '' ...throw light on the history of the bearers ...'' has been used in pg. 45 to show how the names of the people of Nnobi can sometimes reveal the history of their bearers. An example has been given that is the name Eze Ike that indicates strength and power. The name of his father also means how his clan had affluence of wealth.
Simile to Show the Death of a Criminal
On page 58, the death of a person who had defied a lineage group has been described as, ''...he died like a dog...'' . This is because the lineage group was a very important one for it helped people pay dowry if they were unable to do so. Defying such a group was therefore a great crime that would make a person a social offender. People would not care about him when he died, hence the likening of his death to that of a dog - people would pay no mind to it.
Simile to Explain the Greeed Oof the Lineage daughters
On page 60, the simile, ''... as greedy as the lineage daughters.'' has been used to show how greedy they were. They were never satisfied by anything they were given and they always expected more. The extent to which they would refuse the gifts given to them and cause disgrace at a funeral.
