Chinua Achebe’s use of folk materials in *Things Fall Apart* is central to the shaping of both its narrative structure and thematic depth, as it integrates the oral traditions of Igbo society into the written form of the novel. These materials—proverbs, folktales, songs, myths, and communal rituals—not only lend authenticity to the cultural setting but also function as vehicles of meaning, revealing the values, beliefs, and tensions within the society. One of the most prominent folk elements in the novel is the use of proverbs. Achebe famously describes them as the “palm oil with which words are eaten,” emphasizing their cultural significance. Characters frequently employ proverbs in dialogue, especially elders like Okonkwo and Nwoye’s mother, to express wisdom, justify actions, and maintain social order. These proverbs enrich the narrative by embedding traditional knowledge into everyday speech, thereby grounding the story in the rhythms of oral discourse. At the same time, they reflect the communal nature of Igbo life, where individual identity is closely tied to shared cultural expressions. The gradual erosion of such practices under colonial influence highlights one of the novel’s central themes: the disintegration of indigenous culture. Folktales