The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) in Benue State has officially fixed the traditional bride price at N50,000, denouncing various practices deemed “barbaric and harsh.”
This decision, announced on Wednesday, aims to alleviate the financial strain on grooms and their families while fostering cultural progress within the Idoma community.
The IATC, after extensive consultations with rulers, political leaders, and the Idoma people, has eliminated stringent conditions and expectations associated with traditional marriages.
The council believes that this step will contribute to a more inclusive and equitable cultural environment.
In addition to the bride price adjustment, inheritance laws have undergone amendments to prioritize the deceased’s spouse and children, unless a written will specifies otherwise. This move is seen as a stride towards empowering women and safeguarding the vulnerable members within family structures.
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The revised law explicitly states, “For the avoidance of doubt, where the deceased is survived by wife(s) and children, such children and wife(s) shall have the right of first consideration, in the apportioning of the inheritance, in the absence of a Written Will.”
Burial practices have not been exempt from the reforms. The new law permits wives to be buried alongside their husbands, with exceptions made only in specific cases, such as when a woman had children with multiple husbands to ensure the participation of all families in the burial rites.
Furthermore, the council has imposed a ban on indiscriminate burials within residential areas, requiring communities to designate specific burial grounds. This measure aims to demonstrate respect for the deceased and considers public health considerations. #Benue