The Joys of Motherhood

The Joys of Motherhood (1979) is a historical fiction novel by Buchi Emecheta. Set in both rural and urban Nigerian locales over several decades, the novel explores changes in the roles and status of women against the backdrop of colonialism. It follows the life of Nnu Ego, a woman whose identity and self-worth are deeply intertwined with her role as a mother.

This guide is based on the 1990 George Braziller edition of the text. It follows the source text’s conventions for spelling certain proper nouns, such as using “Ibo” instead of “Igbo.”

Content Warning: The source text and this guide depict racism, sexism, enslavement, murder, child loss, domestic violence, and death by suicide.

Plot Summary

In the 1910s, Nwokocha Agbadi is a local chief in Ibuza, Nigeria. He has several wives as well as a lover, Ona, who refuses to become his wife since she wishes to preserve any male descendants for her father’s line. When Agbadi is injured while hunting, Ona nurses him back to health. Soon after, she gives birth to Agbadi’s daughter, Nnu Ego, and moves in with Agbadi. However, she dies not long after during a second pregnancy.

When Nnu Ego is 16, Agbadi arranges for her to marry Amatokwu, a local farmer.