In the Shadow of War

Omovo is the main character of “In the Shadow of War,” though as an observer rather than the story’s narrator. He is a young Nigerian boy who lives with his father in an unnamed village and curiously watches passersby from his windowsill. He is young enough that his father believes Omovo should not be listening to the news of war on the radio (4), and though he does not fully comprehend the significance of the news (6), he is witness to the devastation and effects the civil war has on his village (6-7). The veiled woman intrigues him and he does not overtly judge her or fear her the way other children in the village do (4-5). Even when the soldiers at the bar tell Omovo she is an enemy spy, he does not unequivocally believe them; he is determined to discover the truth for himself.

Even as a young child, Omovo learns the ambiguous and complicated nature of morality, especially during times of war. Despite the soldiers’ commanding presence in the village, Omovo does not instinctively trust them: He does not tell them his real name and lies about having seen the veiled woman (5).