TRADITIONAL IGBO SOCIETY IN WORLD LITERATURE THEMES: A STUDY OF THE PORTRAYAL OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN WATER SPIRITS AND THE HUMAN SOCIETY IN ELECHI AMADI’S NOVEL “THE CONCUBINE” (1966)

Creation, its purpose and progression remain man’s greatest enigma, scriptural and scientific explanations not withstanding. However, certain ideas of Elemental beings identified with the four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth, is one such idea. Of these beings, the water elements have received the greatest attention in the folklores and literatures of all people. In Igboland where this study focuses, tales about Ezenwanyi, Owummiri, or Mammy water are common currency. This universal theme of folklores handled by Amadi in this his complete Igbo novel, The Concubine (1966) is the focus of this work, studying its Igboness in perspective and ideas, showing how his holds its own in a globalized world, according respect, dignity and university to the Igbo, creating hence a sense of self knowledge and positive pride