Heclipse

See Omovo

Omovo

Omovo is the central figure in “In the Shadow of War.” He is a young Urhobo boy, about seven or eight years old. Throughout the narrative, he primarily serves as an observer. He watches his father prepare for work and leave, and he also notices a veiled woman who has been passing by his house daily for the last week. Additionally, he observes three newly arrived soldiers interacting with village children and handing out money. Curious, Omovo decides to approach the soldiers. When asked for his name, he tells them it's Heclipse and refuses the ten kobo they offer for information about the veiled woman. He deceives the soldiers by claiming he hasn't seen her. Omovo then returns home to continue watching for the veiled woman. After she passes by, he quickly follows her into the forest. There, he sees her distributing a basket of goods to women and children. As she resumes her journey, Omovo continues to trail her.

Eventually, the soldiers catch up with the veiled woman and kill her. Omovo, hiding in the shadow of a tree, witnesses the murder. Terrified, he tries to flee the forest but falls and loses consciousness. He awakens to find himself back home, where he sees his father drinking palm-wine with the soldiers just below his window. Omovo attempts to inform his father about the events in the forest, but his father merely tells him to thank the soldiers for bringing him home and then takes him to bed.

Although the narrator mentions that Omovo does not fully grasp the news of the war he hears on the radio, Omovo appears to have an innate sense of compassion that drives him to protect the veiled woman. When he tries to share what the soldiers have done, Omovo shows loyalty to the woman rather than the soldiers, who accuse her of being a spy aiding their enemies. As a young boy, Omovo may not comprehend the political ramifications of his allegiance; however, for readers, his loyalty underscores the atrocities that war inflicts on humanity. To Omovo, it doesn't matter whether the veiled woman is a spy—or even a witch. Her murder is wrong because it is an act against another human being. Having witnessed her kindness in giving food to starving children and needy women, Omovo likely feels even more strongly that the soldiers' actions are unjust. His youthful perspective reinforces Okri’s message that in war, moral and ethical behavior are often abandoned.

Omovo’s Father

Omovo’s father appears at the beginning and end of the narrative. Initially, he prepares for work and playfully teases his son about the upcoming lunar eclipse. He holds a professional job, though he is not wealthy, as evidenced by his "shabby coat" that no longer fits properly. He believes war is inherently wrong and discourages his son from listening to war news on the radio. In the conclusion, Omovo discovers his father drinking palm-wine with soldiers. When Omovo attempts to recount his day's experiences, his father smiles "apologetically" and takes him to bed. If the story is interpreted as a dream Omovo has, the father's presence might reflect the boy’s earlier annoyance with him. However, if the story is seen as a series of real events, the father's involvement with the soldiers might indicate his support for the national war effort or his method of protecting his son, especially given the boy’s empathy for the veiled woman.

Radio Announcer

The radio announcer provides updates about the war and announces the expected lunar eclipse. While delivering the news about the day's battles, the announcer...