The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) announced a momentous decision to formalize the traditional bride price in Idoma land, fixing it at N50,000. This landmark resolution emerged from a comprehensive meeting in Otukpo, during which the IATC engaged in extensive consultations with community leaders and subjects. The council emphasized its commitment to eradicating archaic and oppressive cultural practices while upholding the region’s rich heritage.
Notably, the IATC has prohibited exorbitant burial rites, including imposing costly obligations on bereaved families. Moreover, the council has abolished the unjust custom of denying the deceased’s children and wives the right to inherit property. The new regulation stipulates that in the absence of a written will, the deceased’s offspring and wives are entitled to the primary share of the inheritance.
Furthermore, the IATC has facilitated progressive changes, such as enabling a deceased’s wife to be interred in her husband’s place, except in specific circumstances where she had children with more than one man. This compassionate provision aims to honor familial ties and ensure equitable participation in burial rites.
In a bid to modernize traditions, the council has eradicated stringent conditions and expectations associated with traditional marriage. Notably, the indiscriminate burial of corpses in residential areas has been outlawed, with every community mandated to establish a dedicated burial ground. Any deviations from this norm require explicit permission from the Traditional Ruler, underscoring the community’s commitment to respectful and organized burial practices.
The IATC’s resolute actions reflect a progressive shift toward gender equality, social justice, and community welfare. By codifying the bride price and abolishing prejudicial customs, the Idoma community charts a path towards a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate society.
