Papa-Nnukwu is the father of Eugene and lfeoma. He is a symbol of tradition in the novel since it is through him that we see the real traditional religion and how it is practised. He pours libation and offers food to the gods when he eats. He is essentially a traditionalist. He regrets the day his son went away with the missionaries. He is marveled by the big mansion his son has which could accommodate all the people in Abba, while he lives from hand to mouth. He is not the type that can easily be lured by flashy gifts to change his principles. He refuses an offer of a bigger house and a car by his son if he abandons his faith — traditional religion.
Although all the members of his clan side with Eugene, he maintains that he will want to see his grandchildren, a request which is granted, although grudgingly, by Eugene. He is prophetic. He announces to his grandchildren that his seeing them frequently presages that he would soon join his ancestors. It is not long after this that he dies in his sleep while with them at Nsukka. Papa-Nnukwu is a humorist as opposed to his grave and unsmiling son Eugene. Whenever he is with his grandchildren he is either telling them traditional folktales or making jokes with them. He is a good entertainer.
Thus, Amaka, Obiora and Chima can hardly stay away from him for long. His role in the novel helps to lighten the tense atmosphere of tragedy that pervades it. While going out sightseeing with the grandchildren in Aunt Ifeoma's car, he creates laughter when he says, "What are those children saying gbo Ifeoma?... Are they conspiring to share my gold and many lands?" Here we see the old man trying to put aside the communication barrier between him and his grandchildren. Again, he exaggerates his height, by saying that in his `youthful days he could pluck "icheku" from the trees by just reaching out high'.
This also exudes humour. He respects his own religion just as Eugene respects his but Papa Nnukwu is not fanatical about his. He prays for Eugene just as he prays for his daughter and grandchildren. He even prays for his enemies - an embodiment of a perfect traditionalist, and not a heathen.