Chielo is a priestess and she tells Ezinma's mother that Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and Caves, wants to see Ezinma. This is very frightening to both Ekwefi and Owkwonkwo because Ezinma is their favorite child. The next day, Chielo takes Ezinma and does not want her parents to follow them. Both parents do follow while Chielo takes Ezinma to nine villages and then the cave of Agbala. Ekwefi, even follows them into the cave,something that usually only a man would do.

What did Chielo want with Ezinma  in Things Fall Apart?

In Chapter 11, Ekwefi is telling folk-tales to the children. Her stories are interrupted however, by Chielo's cries. She shouts at Okonkwo that "Agbala wanted to see his daughter." She awakens the girl, picks her up, & runs with Ezinma on her back through the nine villages to the Oracle of the caves. Ekwefi waits, then follows, torn between her fear of the gods and her concern for her daughter.

It is also interesting that this is one moment where we see Okonkwo not as an over-bearing, harsh task master, but a loving, devoted husband and father. He follows Ekwefi as well, and offers her comfort at the caves. He too is concerned about Ezinma, the favorite of his children. The encounter emphasizes the relationship between the spirit world and the world of the living. The night’s experience also gives Ekwefi an opportunity to reminisce about her youth and her love for Okonkwo.