Court Messengers

The court messengers, called kotma or Ashy‑Buttocks, enforce the white man’s law, guard the prison, beat prisoners, and are despised by the villagers. Messengers initially promise respectful treatment, later shave the prisoners' heads, deny food and water, and taunt them. A head messenger and his four men arrive at the crowd, prompting Okonkwo to attack and kill the head messenger. Court messenger shouts at Obierika and follows orders to remove Okonkwo’s body.