Which detail from the story is part of the exposition

In chapter 5, ekwefi is called "a woman who had suffered a great deal and in chapter 6, when discussing ezinma with chielo, she states, '"i pray she stays." speculate what may have been an event that caused suffering in ekwefi's past.

Besides the skull and cross bones what other shape sometimes appeared on flags flown by pirates?

What does this excerpt explain about this setting