Having extensively researched cultures around the world, social theorist and anthropologist Peter Van Der Veer noted that "critical elements , as those found in the spiritual ideas of the beginning of the 20th century are missing" (Van Der Veer). Spirituality, a fundamental element at the basis of most cultures, has been strongly influenced by the phenomenon of globalization. In the novels Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Gods Without Men by Hari Kunzru, globalization breaks down cultural barriers by creating interconnection between people, thereby challenging the meaning of spirituality Say No to Plagiarism. measure on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe depicts globalization and its effects on spirituality through the theme of tradition versus change. The Igbo, a people who placed great importance on their cultural identity, are threatened when white colonialists introduce Christianity to Umuofia. Their arrival triggers changes within Igbo culture, leading the tribe to compromise its customs and welcome the new settlers: “And finally, the locusts came down. They settled on every tree and on every blade of grass; they settled on the roofs and covered the bare ground. Mighty branches of trees broke away from under them, and the whole country became the earth-brown color of the vast hungry swarm” (Achebe, 40). This passage, taken from chapter seven of the novel, is symbolic and allegorical of the inevitable arrival of the white missionaries of Umuofia. The locusts came and “settled on every tree and on every blade of grass,” breaking the “mighty tree branches” beneath them. These branches, representing the traditions, customs – and therefore the spirituality of the Igbo people – can no longer withstand the weight and external pressure exerted by the colonialists. Achebe emphasizes the destructive nature of the locusts, whose arrival will alter the identity of the Igbo Tibe, leading to the downfall of their culture. Throughout the novel, globalization is depicted as a weapon of cultural homogenization, destroying the elements that make up cultural heritage. identity of the Igbo people and their replacement by a set of “uniform” values, imposed by white men (Everything 2). This is particularly demonstrated through the actions of the novel's protagonist, Okonkwo. After accidentally killing Ezeudu's son and spending seven years in exile with his family in Mbanta, Okonkwo returns to Umuofia to find his village transformed by the presence of white men. This is illustrated by the exchanges between Obierika and Okonkwo that occur in chapter twenty of the novel: “Does the white man understand our custom concerning the land? “How could he when he doesn’t even speak our language?” But he says that our morals are bad; and our own brothers who have adopted his religion also say that our customs are bad. How do you think we can fight when our own brothers are turning against us? The white man is very intelligent. He came quietly and peacefully with his religion. We were amused by his stupidity and allowed him to stay. Now he has won over our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He stabbed what united us and we fell apart” (Achebe, 152). After many efforts to reclaim his land by destroying a Christian church, Okonkwo quickly realizes that the people of Umuofia are not going to protect them. themselves or fight for their culture. His tribe, once so deeply>.