Tradition In Dead Man's Path

Across the world, traditions are carried throughout many communities, and when others try to change these said traditions, there is typically backfire and disagreement. In the short story “Dead Man’s Path” by Chinua Achebe, the same background is used to fuel the story’s plot. Although it is believed that keeping certain traditions alive will prevent people from changing with the times, these traditions must still be respected and appreciated for keeping past generations alive.
The plot of the story follows a new headmaster of a school named Obi who has plans of implementing changes to the school. However, right next to the school there is a village that is very reluctant to the changes that are presented by the new headmaster. Ani, the village priest, alerts Obi of an apparent path which represents “dead relatives departing and visiting by it” and “children coming in to be born” (Achebe 596). Obi chooses to go against his beliefs of the path’s significance and builds over, only to find it the next day completely ruined and

Although some traditions such as ones like this path may seem very strange and odd to an outside crowd, within the community that practices it, it is a part and a way of their lives.
There are many traditions and practices that have been kept alive for numerous centuries by people continuing to partake in these activities. To many, it may seem weird or quite strange to an outside viewer, but to the practitioner, it is something that has made them live their life the way that they do. Traditions like the one present in “Dead Man’s Path” by Chinua Achebe have to be respected and recognized by others due to them being important to others. They may believe it will prevent modernization but what is important is that they preserve their tradition and do what makes them and others