But, all the same, the rulers and elders of Mbanta assembled to decide on their
action. Many of them spoke at great length and in fury. The spirit of wars was upon
them. Okonkwo, who had begun to play a part in the affairs of his motherland, said that
until the abominable gang was chased out of the village with whips there would be no
peace.
But there were many others who saw the situation differently, and it was their
counsel that prevailed in the end.
"It is not our custom to fight for our gods," said one of them. "Let us not
presume to do so now. If a man kills the sacred python in the secrecy of his hut, the
matter lies between him and the god. We did not see it. If we put ourselves between the
god and his victim we may receive blows intended for the offender. When a man
blasphemes, what do we do? Do we go and stop his mouth? No. We put our fingers into
our ears to stop us hearing. That is a wise action."
"Let us not reason like cowards," said Okonkwo. "If a man comes into my hut
and defecates on the floor, what do I do? Do i shut my eyes? No! I take a stick and
break his head That is what a man does. These people are daily pouring filth over us,
and Okeke says we should pretend not to see." Okonkwo made a sound full of disgust.
This was a womanly clan, he thought. Such a thing could never happen in his
fatherland, Umuofia.
"Okonkwo has spoken the truth," said another man. "We should do something.
But let us ostracise these men. We would then not be held accountable for their
abominations."
Everybody in the assembly spoke, and in the end it was decided to ostracise the
Christians. Okonkwo ground his teeth in disgust.
That night a bell-man went through the length and breadth of Mbanta
proclaiming that the adherents of the new faith were thenceforth excluded from the life
and privileges of the clan.